Both Italy and German have laws against showing support for Nazi's or Fascists or displaying their symbols.

Symbols and gestures were an important part of the mystique of those parties so I have no trouble supporting their ban.

A commenter over at Tim Blair said it best: Amazing how it's a criminal offence to make a fascist salute but you can wear an OBL or Che shirt any day of the week.

And that's exactly it. Where's the line? I think OBL or Che promote(d) murder and hate. Should it be illegal for idiots to sport them on their shirts?

The pic I keep seeing is too small. A bigger shot or even an angle with the crowd in it would help me out.

Other than that, I agree that while the FCC goes too far, this isn't the same thing. Same with the position of the arm.

Although, it is illegal to expose yourself in public. And can't we all thank God for that?

If you ever miss watching Celtic games with a bunch of Catholics, you can always head down to Rocky Sullivan's on 28th and Lex.

I've been to Rocky's and I've seen some games at the Parlour on W.86th and at Boomers when that place was still around.

Rocky's is an IRA pub.
Don't support terrorists.

Is it illegal to expose yourself in public? Laws in most countries are confusing. It is not specifically an offence to be naked. Hence you can (in theory, and in Germany in pratice) walk down the street naked, or go to a nudist beach etc. However, 'flashing' is a crime. Weird huh? However, JJ showing her breast was not done to intimidate anyone, so isnt a crime. She just broke broadcasting rules.
Facism isnt specifically racial hatred. But in the EU we have laws against promoting hatred. Freedom of expression/speech is a crock of ****. The US got that one wrong.

Wasn't Simon simply scratching his temple with his middle finger?
Isn't niggard a Middle English word for stingy?
Was that a Black Power salute from John Kerry?

I agree with you entirely on this one, but I think the entry is mistitled. Ignorance? What makes you think DiCanio was acting out of ignorance. Some peoplare just naturally hateful/racist/have fascist inclindations, and they've thought about their positions a good deal. Calling him merely ignorant sounds generous.

Still, well argued nonetheless.

The big deal in this case is that Di Canio was playing for Italian strugglers Lazio. Lazio, I believe, are known for having a sizable fascist element in thier support. Given Di Canio was facing them, it looks less like ignorance.

Sean and Karol, looks like your tacit financial support for terrorist bombings on the British mainland was out of ignorance.
And Sean, why miss watching 'tic games with only Catholics ? I know Protestants, and it would seem, one Jew who support Celtic. What the fuck has religion got to do with football? It is bad enough in this country trying to help wipe out the bigotry without those in other countries subscribing to it in the mistaken belief that it is a quaint tradition.

You're right, J., he probably wasn't ignorant in the sense that he didn't know what he was doing. I consider those people with natural fascist tendencies to also be naturally ignorant. You can't have heard about how fascism nearly destroyed your country and the world and still be into it without being ignorant, I think.

Urbane, like I note in the post above to J., I believe that it is ignorant to be fascist, especially in a country like Italy that clearly has seen the results of that movement.

As for the 'Catholic' note, how else do you explain a bunch of Irish guys watching a Scottish team. You may not want football to have anything to do with religion, but it seems it does anyway. Why the defensiveness? Last I checked, you were no Celtic fan.

I would think Di Canio knows exactly what he is doing but maybe he got carried away. Lazio is a right wing club and before becoming a professional footballer Di Canio was a hardcore ultra member and has always been a hero to the supporters. Football in Italy is very political with most clubs either being left or right wing.

I would think that most democratic country's have some sort of law that is against some sort of freedom of speech or act.

Urbane: The defining difference between Celtic's and Rangers' fans has always been religion. Don't go all PC on us.

Karol: Was being a Celtic fan in Glasgow like being a conservative in NYC?

I never lived in Glasgow. In fact, I've only visited once in the several years I was in Scotland. I lived in Forres, a small town in the north for awhile and then in Aberdeen. I also spent a month in Edinburgh and visited it often.

so which is the catholic team?

Celtic.

Celtic are supposedly the Catholic team, though have had protestant (as well as Jewish and Muslim) players,supporters, and managers. Indeed, part of their ground is named after a Protestant manager. They were started by Irish immigrants as a charity in the 19th century, so the Irish connection is more valid. Rangers are probably the more guilty of the two for bigotry - with anti Catholic songs still very audible at games. Rangers became a focal point for Ulster Protestants. Religious connections are fine, but this frequently overflows into hatred - deaths after games aren't uncommon, and violence almost mandatory. The clubs serve as a focal point for religious divides in the west of Scotland.
Why defensive? Because both clubs are making efforts to remove the outdated religious hatred from the rivalry. I would like them both to play in the English League - as they desire, and let everyone else get on with it - a plague on both their houses.
By the way Karol, there is a decent sized Celtic supporters club in Forres, and probably several in Aberdeen - you were a bit misinformed there.

Fair point about Di Canio and automatically equating fascism with ignorance. Somehow though, I could imagine him singing Internatioanale with gusto had he been playing elsewhere, and the circumstances been favourable. I think the fact that he is a tit who loves adoration outweighs his political motives.

I'm nae a Billy, I'm a Tim
I'm nae a Billy, I'm a Tim
I'm nae a Billy, don't be f****n silly
I'm nae a Billy, I'm a Tim

The Old Firm fans rank alongside Burns, Wilde and Shakespeare with their gifts to the English language. FTP, FTQ, F them all.

In Italy what Di Canio did (promotion of fascism) is illegal. Fact. Stop pushing stupid American notions of 'freedom of expression' on us Euros. There is always a consequence to an action, I hope he gets banned from playing.

Anyway Celtic were always a catholic side, like Manchester Utd; but Rangers weren't Protestant, except by accident (in that every Catholic Glawegian was a Celtic fan). Rangers were first to sign a Catholic player in the late 1980s; I am not sure when Celtic started signing non-Catholic players.

@ Urbane: religion has a lot to do with football. Some clubs like Ajax, Tottenham Hotspur are 'Jewish'. Of course after 1945 Ajax didnt have many Jews left in Amsterdam to support the club - so times move on. And these days Arsenal FC have as many Jewish fans as Tottenham. But tradition remains and you will see Stars of Davids at Ajax games; Spurs fans are called 'Yids'...
Today there's a lot of 'ethnic' clubs springing up in Britain to attract black and asian (esp muslim) players.

Monio, Celtic have been signing Protestants and non Catholics for years. Jock Stein, their most successful manager who led them to the European cup was a Protestant. He played for them in the 50s, so they were signing non Catholics even then. Celtic, in the 70s, signed ex Rangers player (and by definition, Protestant)Alfie Conn, pre dating Rangers big Mo Johnston deal which you refer to by 15 years.
Rangers Protestant by accident. Like they accidently used to let the Orange Lodge have an annual convention at Ibrox then.