It's a tough one, at least for me.

I have no issue with satire being used against politicians, who in general are too close to power to avoid pomposity. Satire is an ancient power of the people that contributes to democratic checks and balances. Legislating against its use is wrong.

On the other hand, I think our ridiculing of politicians has gone too far. Part of the reason we have such a democratic deficit in the west is that respect for politicians has diminished to the extent that they are always on the defensive, never trusting to have a discussion or air ideas. A politician who thinks aloud, weighing complex issues, will be mercilessly crushed as a buffoon.

I've always admired the convention of respect for the office of president in the United States. The holder of the office may be lampooned to a certain extent, but the office is treated with enormous respect. We rebellious Euros may think that allows abuse, and it can, but I think it gives a gravitas to the leader that makes the country more cohesive. France has a similar approach with the hands-off convention to a politician's private life.

Legislating against criticism is always a bad thing, but we need to require our media to grow up, and our politicians to do the same. Sadly, I think that time is gone, so we will laugh now at the circus and cry later when the clowns take over.