If a famous women called me a Maltese hunk I'd be flattered!

Trevor, Prague, Czech Republic

PC is affecting freedom of speech. The joke was risque and would have raised a titter in UK but in US its capital punishment, I once made a joke with mild innuendo and had to send a written apology.

People in Uk, Aus, Malaysia, NZ and even Canada seem much more tolerant of risque humour.

IGJ, Expat, Malaysia

I have no knowledge of Martin Bashir's character - but the Speech analogy that he used is decades old & has been widely used by respected speakers over a 40 yr period during which audiences have smiled ....

Today's social & moral values are declining.... together with a sense of humour

Richard, Bucharest,

Criticize USA's lack of "freedom of speech". The first amendment states "congress shall pass no law infringing freedom of speech". If the government had arrested Bashir, then the criticism would be justified. The real criticism is of how POLITICAL CORRECTNESS has impinged on freedom of speech.

nigel roberts, warrington, UK

So, British citizens from ethnic minorities can apparently also be sexist and racist? What do the PC brigade have to say about that? If Martin Bashir were white, then the floodgates of recrimination would be wide open.

john Harte, Dubai, UAE

Judging by these comments racism and sexism are fine so long as the subject is asian. Juju Chang's comment make it obvious this was an ongoing problem.

John, tokyo, japan

America, the land of the not so free, the land of the great double standards. Freedom of speech? Not if it affects your greenbacks. Marry your cousin at 15 but no drinking (of alcohol) before you're 21. I could go on but you get the drift. Martin the UK, where a joke is appreciated, beckons.

Lara, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

His problem was using the race card. Had he just called them "babes", it would have been for naught. I wish someone thought I was a babe!

Danielle, Ohio, USA

U.S. journalists regard themselves as a 'cut above' their British counterparts believing themselves to be, as a profession, on par with doctors. Bashir's bawdiness would have gone down better in a room full of British hacks who know that they are in trade.

Terry Walpole, Seoul, Korea

I have a friend who is going to live in the US. He uses sarcasm all the time and is funny with it. My guess is that he will be sent back on the next plane.

Perhaps he will need to add the word "not" to the end of every sentence.

bill, bolton, uk

He has freedom of speech in the US. It's legal to be tasteless. He's not going to be prosecuted. It was his employer that got annoyed and made him apologize. He confused a professional event with a comedy club. Big companies don't want their "brand" tarnished with controversial, rude statements.

Jill, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

puritans i suppose all who were listening either dont have a sense of humour or are so brainwashed by political correctness or are so pure in their minds making them a higher human being what a egotistical joyless existance.

Adrian, Besançon , France

He "bitterly" regrets? You could swear he killed someone. Who would live in America these days?

James, London, UK

Please don't send him back to the UK!

Faizal, London, UK

Ha! People need to get their sense of humours back.

He can take the micky out of my big nose, little appendage and buck teeth if he wants

And the bit about speeches and dresses is right!

paulo, Milton Keynes,

Freedom of speech in the USA? Try finding an Obama joke. Or sending a secure email. Is your phones being listened in on? Our houses are flown over with thermals to look for hot spots which might be grow houses. All the while they wont secure our southern border as they pander for hispanic votes.

William, Atlanta, USA

So much for freedom of speech in the US! It seems humour is no longer allowed for fear of offending the narrow minded.

Paul, Wassenaar, The Netherlands