2 Chinese Women Sue CNN for $1.3 billion

2 Chinese women are suing cable news service CNN for "insulting" China. The lawsuit wants CNN to pay $1.3 billion in damages -- $1 for every person in China.

This is patently ridiculous on all levels, hence why I post it.

Anyway, the plaintiffs are particularly upset by Jack Cafferty, who is (admittedly) an abrasive newsman and commentator who's accustomed to making all sorts of harsh comments about all sorts of topics. But hey, look who is actually suing him for talking. Here is a sampling of Cafferty's "offensive" remarks:

A Chinese primary school teacher and a beautician have filed a suit against CNN in New York over remarks they say insulted the Chinese people and are seeking $1.3 billion in compensation -- $1 per person in China, a Hong Kong newspaper reported.

The case against the Atlanta-based cable channel, its parent company Turner Broadcasting and Jack Cafferty, the offending commentator, comes after 14 lawyers launched a similar suit in Beijing alleging that Cafferty's remarks earlier this month violated the dignity and reputation of the Chinese people.

Cafferty said the United States imported Chinese-made "junk with the lead paint on them and the poisoned pet food" and added: "They're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years."

CNN said Cafferty was expressing an opinion about the Chinese government, but the Foreign Ministry demanded an apology and accused the network of trying to drive a wedge between the Chinese people and leadership.

Huh. I don't see much in Cafferty's blunt comments that aren't...er...factually accurate. Is speaking the truth "insulting" to China? Some would say so.