Massachusetts town approves $20 fine for swearing in public (speech, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Ever been in the mall with young children, just trying to enjoy some time together? Have a group of late teens walk by you and every other word is the F bomb? I have.
Ever gone to a ball game and taken a 7 yearold who loves the sport? Get stuck behind foul mouthed human trash? I have.
I am a sailor and in private can swear like one. I also have enough class to not do it in public. I can understand why a town might pass such a law. I disagree with it but understand it. I would prefer a law that allows me to kick a foul mouthed piece of human trash in the arse when they knowingly swear in front of my wife or a young child.
"No one can dispute that cursing is vulgar and impolite, but it is also a constitutionally protected form of speech. As part of a $17,500 settlement announced Tuesday with the ACLU, Pennsylvania's state troopers will get a reminder in the mail that they can't cite people for unleashing offensive words or gestures at police or civilians."
"Let's hope their local brethren also will take a lesson. In 2009, the ACLU settled a similar lawsuit against Pittsburgh police for $50,000."
There are plenty of laws on the books for causing a public disturbance that can already be applied to people who swear. It's not anything new or novel.
Ever been in the mall with young children, just trying to enjoy some time together? Have a group of late teens walk by you and every other word is the F bomb? I have.
Ever gone to a ball game and taken a 7 yearold who loves the sport? Get stuck behind foul mouthed human trash? I have.
I am a sailor and in private can swear like one. I also have enough class to not do it in public. I can understand why a town might pass such a law. I disagree with it but understand it. I would prefer a law that allows me to kick a foul mouthed piece of human trash in the arse when they knowingly swear in front of my wife or a young child.
I think this is the real reason and intent for the law!
I'm really f*cking happy about it," Mimi Duphily, a store owner and former town selectwoman, said after the vote. "I'm sure there's going to be some fallout, but I think what we did was necessary, goddammit!"
Exactly. You won't get fined for just swearing. It has to be in a loud, disturbing way. In essence, this is an extension of public disturbance laws already in place. I don't have a problem with it really.
I can't be against a town wanting to govern themselves, this is how the people of Middleborough voted. (I personally wouldn't be too crazy about it though).
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
oh dang it there goes another twenty
