Update: Updates here.

An editorial in the student newspaper at Central Connecticut State University has sparked vigorous protests and discussions about what is funny. The editorial, entitled "Rape Only Hurts If You Fight It", caused many students to demand the resignation of the editors.

The article, written by opinion editor John Petroski, details several "benefits" that rape has made to civilization over the years. The article describes rape as a "magical experience" that has been a blessing to "ugly women."

"If it weren’t for rape, how would they ever know the joy of intercourse with a man who isn’t drunk?" the article asks.

  Student editors maintain that the article was meant to be a satirical jab at sensationalist news stories. That result was not achieved, however, as all the article did was to cause pain for those who have been raped.

Some students at the rally identified themselves as victims of sexual assault and demanded that the administration create a safer environment for women and other groups on campus. They held signs reading "Real Men Don’t Rape" and "Take Back The Recorder." Some faculty members attended the rally, but none spoke.

The university president issued a statement saying that the article crossed the lines of journalistic freedom. Did it? I’m not up on my first amendment jurisprudence, but if anything, it seems to be in extremely poor taste.