Posted on 08/14/2008 6:12:47 AM PDT by Cincinatus
If all storms had a name, this one would start with the letter F.
As Tropical Storm Edouard closed in on the Texas Gulf Coast last week, a storm of a different kind was brewing inside the sporting goods section of a Wal-Mart store in La Marque. It started with the F-word.
And now a 28-year-old single mother must go to court if she wants to fight a ticket for using profanity.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Indeed!
Remove her flip-flops and scrub her mouth out with them.
When are people going to learn you can not regulate stupidity or morality. When she used that word do you think she actualy meant that the batteries were Efing. No of course not. Was it in good taste, no. Was it illegal worthy of a fine, definatley not. This all boils down to nothing more than trying to enforce thought crimes, trying to determine the intent of what someone actualy meant. We can refer to Vice president as Dick but you are cussing if you call him a dick? There is an old joke about the cat being a pussy and the rooster being a cock but for some reason if you use those two words together people get all up tight.
This is the same thing as a muslim saying we can't make fun of the "prophet" or use certain expressions or words to describe their religion. This is no different and just as intolerable to me.
If you wish word police on every corner handing out tickets for saying Obamaosama or some other word or expression, just keep rooting for this law and this ticket and soon you will have your wish.
One more example, we on FR are always saying that the left has free speech for me but not for thee.
This law is in the same vain. FReepers who wouldn't use F*** think others shouldn't be allowed to use it because it offends them. However, they get highly upset when others claim they are offended by what FReepers say. Either we believe in free speech or we don't.
Keep your own counsel, don't use swear words and teach your children not to use them, especially in public. Let others do as they wish in regards to the words they use.
There is a time to bring law suits for libel and slander and there is a time for arguing and countering what other people say, but there is no reason ever to limit the actual words allowed to be spoken by others.
Generally, it betrays a low intellect, underdeveloped vocabulary and poor upbringing...yet it has its place. My perspective is that foul verbiage is like salt or habanero peppers; a skillful chef introducing small amounts at just the right place can use them effectively to add a little humor, emphasis, passion or piquancy to a conversation. Excessive, repetitive or careless use of obscenity is just as palatable as being served a plate of rock salt and scotch bonnet peppers.
Having said all that, this matter is a perfect illustration on the need for virtue and morality in a free society. The notion of police and other law enforcement agencies addressing such matters is IMHO, counterproductive. If they are truly enforcing "community standards," why not let the community enforce them? If businesses serve cussing people, and neighbors and relatives condone or tolerate their behavior, then clearly, the swearing is not in violation of community standards. When people get ostracized for their immoral behavior, personal conduct tends to improve and no laws need be passed which trump free speech.
He cam back in five minutes later with his shirt turned inside out.
It wasn't a thought crime, the filth came out of her mouth.
You can excuse crudity all you like but what you get doing that is a single mother using vulgarity in public, in front of her child while speaking to her own mother. This isn't rocket science, it's a lesson in manners and how low self-respect has fallen.
Again, subjective attitudes have lowered our moral standards and made our society cruder.
Have you read this?
SHEFFIELD: Profanity greater on liberal blogs
Liberals are more than 12 times likely to use profanity than conservatives on the Web.
Ever wonder why it's true?
I am not arguing that fact. I am saying that if you try to regulate words or speach with laws that are criminal in nature we are no different than the mad mullahs in Iran.
I disagree. What one generation condones, the next practices. You try telling someone they are crude. Make sure that you have insurance.
Well, maybe YOU should try getting the 1st ammendment repealed!
You have no suggestions? Just insults?
You’re probably right. At least this site enforces manners. I just cannot understand people that believe vulgarity makes them sound intelligent when the exact opposite is true.
That was no insult, you are the one that wants to regulate speach!
This sort of reminds me of a time when I felt the need to use profanity in a pizza joint. Of course, I was a bit upset having just found broken glass in my food. The owners didn’t even bother to apologize.
I've told any number of people I object to their language, behavior, attire etc. and when appropriate, I've spoken to their employers, managers, parents, etc. to advise them why I would no longer be doing business with, or associating with them. My point is, if large numbers of other people also did so, society would police its own mores. Criminalizing rude behavior is "easier" because citizens can cede their responsibilities to the police and government, but in giving up that responsibility one should also be cognizant of the liberties that are also being surrendered.
She can have any opinion she wants. Unfortunately, she hasn’t the brain wattage to voice it articulately without crudity.
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