I'm not much for being 'PC' or mealy mouthed, that's true...
My take is that, if you're Italian, and this offends you, you're too thin-skinned to be worthy of your Roman heritage, and too much of a wimp to be my friend.
Is this a way to check for wimps? (Actually hard pressed to look upon Italians, Romans, as wimps, The French, maybe but not the Italians)
Guess it chocks up to the fact their PM (i.e.President)seems to have some kahuna's (SP?) and says sensible things. Viva la Italia!!!