I Agree With the Italian Socialists

UK's Times Online reports:

Comedian Sabina Guzzanti 'insulted Pope' in 'poofter devils' gag

An Italian comedienne who said that Pope Benedict XVI would go to Hell and be tormented by homosexual demons is facing a prison term of up to five years.

Giovanni Ferrara, the Rome prosecutor, is invoking the 1929 Lateran Treaty between Italy and the Vatican, which stipulates that an insult to the Pope carries the same penalty as an insult to the Italian President.

I greatly respect and admire Pope Benedict, and I don't enjoy seeing leaders of any religion insulted, but I hate free speech laws even more. Could you imagine being jailed for insulting the president? Give me a break!

I'm not Italian, so on one level this is none of my business, but we're all part Western Society, and an erosion of freedom in one area can quickly spread.

Even Catholic Priests have chimed in on the side of the tasteless joker:

Father Bartolomeo Sorge, a Jesuit scholar, told La Repubblica the move to prosecute Ms Guzzanzi was incomprehensible. "We Christians put up with many insults, it is part of being a Christian, as is forgiveness. I feel sure the Pope has already forgiven those who insulted him on Piazza Navona."

Supporting free speech means sometimes hearing things that may offend you. Voltaire said it best:

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."