Crazy new Italian law.

Morag

Wow it seems Italian men are very sensitive about some one saying they lack cojones or have an empty sack or they sing castrato. So much so it's been made a crime to do so.

http://thedailyedge.thejournal.ie/italy-rules-no-balls-insult-for-men-is-a-crime-540719-Jul2012/

ITALY’S HIGHEST COURT on Tuesday ruled that telling a man he has “no balls” as an insult is a crime punishable with a fine because it hurts male pride in a ruling on a curious row between two cousins.

The case was brought to the supreme court by a lawyer named only as Vittorio against his cousin Alberto, a justice of the peace, for the phrase uttered during a heated courtroom exchange in the southern Italian city of Potenza.

“Apart from the vulgarity of the term used, the expression definitely also has an injurious quality,” the male judge, Maurizio Fumo, said in his ruling as quoted by Italian news agency ANSA.

“It refers not only to the target’s lack of virility but also to his weakness of character, lack of determination, competence and coherence — virtues that, rightly or wrongly, are still identified as pertaining to the male gender.”

The court also found that because the insult was uttered at the workplace with third parties present it could be seen as damaging Vittorio’s reputation.

Vittorio’s lawyer had argued that the expression implied that his client was “worth less than other men because he did not have the attributes.”

A judge will now rule on the fine that Alberto should pay to Vittorio.

The ruling, which comes after years of legal dispute, did not specify whether any insults against women should now also be considered crimes.

KKkitty

That comment was clearly below the belt.

madma

what a load of boll*x

Mr. Rager

The Italians should stick to making cars and pizza, and poorly designed towers.

Chuck Stone

Taking someone to court who says 'you've no balls' kinda proves the original allegation about the plaintiff.

Daft.

Paddycrumlinman

a silly load of bollix really!

grenache

This is what I love about Italy. Crazy mad beautiful people.

Chagan

That judge should be given the sack.

Darius.Tr

Now this is beyond stupid...and I think this is not Italy's first crazy/stupid law.

Hank_Jones

They made a right balls of that one.

Duggy747

You'd want to be one sensitive, delicate male to be offended by that.

They need to harden the fùck up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unkIVvjZc9Y

mackg

If we start having court cases over family members insulting each other over here we are going to need a lot more judges.

I could understand something being done internally within the company at the very most but come on do they have nothing better to do than take crap like this to court.

paddy kerins

Balls. Going over there next week. Was gonna tell everyone to grow a pair.

policarp

If that is the law, then the law is an ass. . .

Kylo Ren

I've stumbled into the bad pun part of Boards...

Wibbs

Man that's daft . I'd be also tempted to quote as Duggy747 did that Chopper video. This from the folks who brought you Rome. :eek: Then again past brilliance isn't much of an indicator, look at Greece.

That said I have found that *generalisation alert* Latin men for all the macho posturing that's more evident than in Ireland say can be a tad more sensitive on this kinda thing. Irish men tend to be much better at laughing at themselves and each other(ditto for the Brits). We make a bloody sport of it. So long as it doesn't descend to bullying shíte that's a very healthy thing IMHO.

Then again - and any law bods can help me out here - could that ruling happen here in the sense that any insult is technically assault or somesuch?

danniemcq

trying to fine themselves outta debt?

those ballless b*stards

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

hey, there's no such thing as absolute free speech. I think this ruling is neccesary.

deman

"you hurt my feelings and now I'm going to report you."

GROW A PAIR YA PONCE!

pickarooney

the southern Italian city of Potenza

Obviously everyone there has a rod of steel.

--Kaiser--

Keno 92 wrote: »

I've stumbled into the bad pun part of Boards...

All puns are bad, what's the deferens?

Micky Dolenz

Great bunch of lads.

Jason Todd

The first lad to report that his feelings were hurt should get such a paddlin'

Sea Filly

grenache wrote: »

This is what I love about Italy. Crazy mad beautiful people.

Would you love this if it happened in Ireland? Somehow I think not. Also, your comment is weirdly patronising towards Italians.

Wacker The Attacker

Italy, The nation of angry blue veined diamond cutting boners.

They should take out those concrete bursting hard ons and do some real work.

Tazio

Hmmm, this will put a few surgeons in a legal conundrum..

"Well we operated and you now have.... Em.... Ah nothin, you'll see.. "

stevek93

That judge would want to grow some balls...

puffishoes

snickers advert to be banned?

poor BA.

hatrickpatrick

What the f*ck is happening to Freedom of Speech?
Between this and people getting arrested in Britain for offensive Tweets, I'm genuinely becoming concerned that I'm going to live the rest of my life in a world in which any comments any person makes must be vetted in advance by some sort of Ministry for Public Decency.

Seriously, I find it hard to even find this article funny. It's absolutely terrifying.

mackg

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

What the f*ck is happening to Freedom of Speech?
Between this and people getting arrested in Britain for offensive Tweets, I'm genuinely becoming concerned that I'm going to live the rest of my life in a world in which any comments any person makes must be vetted in advance by some sort of Ministry for Public Decency.

Seriously, I find it hard to even find this article funny. It's absolutely terrifying.

Didn't he threaten to kill him? Bit of a difference no?

Chagan

But seriously, all puns aside, this is nuts.

Biggins

Keno 92 wrote: »

I've stumbled into the bad pun part of Boards...

Welcome to After Hours!

Micky Dolenz

Chagan wrote: »

But seriously, all puns aside, this is nuts.

Aslong as it isn't no nuts, we're grand.

Boombastic

Aren't these insecure men supposed to be Italian Stallions?


anyway reputation ruined, more like pussies:rolleyes:

ScumLord

paddy kerins wrote: »

Balls. Going over there next week. Was gonna tell everyone to grow a pair.

I think you could argue that your not inferring they have no balls but rather that the balls they have are insufficient and they could do with growing additional genitalia to make up for the obvious lack of male characteristics like being able to take an insult without crying like little children that were refused ice cream.

Ellis Dee

There once was a girl from Madrid,
who swore she would never be rid'.
Then up came an Italian
with the balls of a stallion.
And now she's rearing a kid.;)

The law is not actually so very different from similar defamation of character legislation in other jurisdictions.

Italian males seem to attach great importance to the contents of their trousers, and calling a fellow a cornuto (cuckold) is bound to get his rag out.:eek::eek:

Nodin

Fuck it I can't think of anythin......

Madam_X

"Free speech" is a load of me howle, but so is this.