Free speech and disrespect

Karen Armstrong suggests a novel understanding of freedom of speech:

[T]he principle of free speech implies respect for the opinions of others.

No, it doesn't. Otherwise I should have to respect the opinion that suicide bombing directed against civilian bus and train passengers is sometimes justified, and the opinion that torture is an acceptable practice in a civilized country. I don't. Equally, others would have to respect my opinion, if I held it, that Karen Armstrong doesn't really exist but is the pen-name of a Uruguayan football team whenever they get together to draft articles for the Guardian after losing a game. What Armstrong may mean is that you can respect people who hold an opinion you disagree with (though even there, an opinion may sometimes be so unpleasant that you find it difficult to extend respect to the person holding it); or that you should be willing to tolerate opinions you disagree with, even very unpleasant ones; or - as what she goes on to say would suggest - that prejudice and discrimination against people of religions other than your own (if you have one) are wrong.

In any event, one of the benefits, and sometimes joys, of free speech is that it allows you to express disrespect towards pernicious or idiotic opinions.