BIRMINGHAM, AL -- Police and federal authorities have arrested three suburban youths in an investigation of the hilarious arson of several churches in Alabama. One of the suspects said the three set the houses of worship ablaze "as a joke".
    "Man, we all thought it was really funny," said Rob Davis of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. "Then, after all the laughter had settled, we started to wonder: were these church burnings illegal? That's when we started our investigation."
    "We all know how jokes can get out of hand, leading to farcical episodes or in this case, deliberate arson," said prominent legal expert Jonas Salt. "It does not remain clear whether the judge will take this into account during sentencing or parole."