One of the basic principles of being a journalist or news anchor, or anyone involved in relaying the news via the media, is to do so objectively. When Mika Brzezinski broke out into hysterical laughter on the set of the Morning Joe show regarding the chlorine gas attack at the Midwest FurFest in Rosemont, IL., it was anything but objective. It showed a gross lack of concern for human life, all because the attendees of Midwest FurFest were part of a lifestyle that she could not fathom. However, ignorance on her part is not an excuse for her behavior. Thousands of people saw that newscast and now think that it's okay to laugh at members of the furry fandom, and at attempts to harm large groups of people. This newscast has spawned a plethora of nasty, condescending news articles about how "some things should stay on the Internet", as well as a lot of half-truths and misconceptions about the furry fandom. 
Her actions are even more reprehensible because there have been news stations that have portrayed the furry fandom in an objective, or even positive, light. Right here in Connecticut, FoxCT had a wonderful segment about our local furry community that cleared up many misconceptions and showed some of my friends as the smart, kind people that they are with and without their fursuits.
Here is a link to the FoxCT news segment. Notice the lack of news anchors laughing and the genuine curiosity they show towards something they don't understand:
http://youtu.be/5DnduzyAuqE

This NBC News segment as well is a sterling example of how to be respectful towards the furry fandom, even if it's not to your personal liking:
http://youtu.be/xHZ9SwTk2UE

As evidenced by those two videos, it is possible to remain objective and have a sense of tact and decorum when discussing something most people don't know about or understand. Treating something like a joke makes others think it's okay to do likewise, and therefore stunting what progress has been made towards creating acceptance and understanding of people in various subcultures and geek cultures. Belittling a group of people, especially those that could have died from a toxic gas attack (remember, chlorine gas has been used in chemical warfare) as well as 19 people whom were hospitalized, is nothing but unprofessional and unacceptable. 
If this gas attack had been at a comic book convention, or at a large sporting event like the Superbowl, people would be up in arms, crying, and demanding a man hunt for the culprit. News anchors would never even dream of laughing about an attack like that. If a famous athelete were harmed by chlorine gas and hospitalized, there would be a deluge of well-wishes towards the athlete and their family, and again, no one with an ounce of decency would dream of saying that the athelete shold have been killed. Why then should Ms. Brzezinski's outburst be tolerated?

As much as many people, myself included, feel that someone like this needs to do some deep introspection and find a new career path, to prove that the furry community is mature and forgiving and willing to show kindness even when people are not kind to us, it would be a wonderful thing, especially keeping in mind the holiday season we are in, for Mika Brzezinski and her colleagues (some of them are just as much to blame as they joined in with her laughter) to air a public apology to the convention attendees, and to the furry fandom as a whole, for making light of this attack that has been deemed as potential terrorism by many. If she refuses to do so even after this peaceful compromise attempt, then I certainly hope people will not view the Morning Joe TV show as a credible, objective news source anymore. 
Please, to fellow members of the furry fandom and our allies from other fandoms and walks of life, let us not sit by quietly and tolerate this. We can protest peacefully, just like Ghandi did long ago. 
Even if you don't want to sign the petition, please contact the Morning Joe show and MSNBC and let them hear of your discontent. 

Here is a link to the show's website: http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe