If Flattery is a Sin, Surely Annoying People is a Virtue?

Apparently we're not allowed to annoy the Pope anymore...

EXTRAORDINARY new powers will allow police to arrest and fine people for "causing annoyance" to World Youth Day participants and permit partial strip searches at hundreds of Sydney sites, beginning today...Police and emergency services volunteers will be able to direct people to cease engaging in conduct that "causes annoyance or inconvenience to participants in a World Youth Day event" or risk a $5500 fine.

Look, I understand the need for security. But this isn't security - this isn't stopping assasins or terrorists or even violent protests. This is about clamping down on free speech because it might offend the Pope or the Catholic pilgrims. We somehow managed to have the Dalai Lama visit last month without needing to pull this kind of crap against protests by Shugden Buddhists, but apparently if we're to have World Youth Day we need these sort of controls in place, lest some unsuspecting pilgrim see a same-sex couple or an offensive t-shirt.

Now, I'm not blaming the Catholic Church; they've said they didn't ask for this sort of special treatment. So why the hell is it happening? The government already spent more than a hundred million dollars on what is, after all, a religious event. Now we need these sort of restrictions on those of us who aren't overjoyed that the Pope's visiting our shores to ensure it goes smoothly?