First Photoshopped Love Handles, Now This

Now perhaps more than ever before, world leaders have their hands full with stabilizing the ailing global economy and battling ever-more-ruthless terrorists. But somehow, President Nicholas Sarkozy of France still finds the time and mental energy to work up offense to even the gentlest of personal slights.

Sarkozy, whose physique was digitally enhanced in a magazine photo last year to avoid offence, failed to see the humor when publishing company K&B began selling novelty "voodoo doll" kits featuring his likeness, along with pins and a handbook about how to stick them into the doll.

Sacre bleu! Quel horreur!

In October, Sarkozy took the company to court. But the court dismissed his demand for a ban on a sale of the dolls, citing that whole "right to free expression" thing.

Not to be dissuaded, Sarkozy pressed on.

Now a French court of appeals has said that the toy does in fact constitute "an offence to the dignity of Mr Sarkozy." But the judge ruled that the toys can remain on sale, saying that banning their sale would be both "disproportionate and inadequate" -- an impressive paradox.

The judge ordered that the dolls must carry a label saying they are offensive to Sarkozy, and that K&B must pay the president the symbolic sum of one euro in damages, and cover the costs of the case.

The French being the French, the entire matter was labeled as a matter of principle in an effort to cloak its pettiness.

"The important thing is that consistent principles and jurisprudence should be applied," said Thierry Herzog, the president's lawyer.

If that's really true, than the courts' latest decision should count as a victory for Sarkozy. Never mind all the free publicity the case has created for the dolls...

by Liz Gunnison