Common sense of decency. DUmmies lack it.

[thundley4]

Mass. town weighs $20 fines for swearing in public

MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Officials fed up with public swearing in one town say that forcing the potty-mouthed to pay up might be the right antidote.

Residents attending town meeting in Middleborough on Monday night were scheduled to vote on whether to impose a $20 fine for public swearing. Officials insist the proposal, offered by the town's police chief, is not intended to censor casual or private conversations, but instead crack down on loud, profanity-laden language used by teens and other young people in the downtown area and public parks.

"They'll sit on the bench and yell back and forth to each other with the foulest language. It's just so inappropriate," said Mimi Duphily, a store owner and former town selectwoman.

Duphily, who runs an auto parts store, is among the downtown merchants who think it's time to take a stand against the kind of swearing that can make customers uncomfortable.

"I don't care what you do in private. It's in public what bothers me," she said. "Because the older people get really upset, the kids ask their mothers, 'What did he say? What does that mean?'"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002797519

I'm not bringing any of the profanity laden replies over.  I have no problem banning loud swearing in public as it seems no different that allowing pornographic pictures to be displayed on storefronts or billboards.

[Ballygrl]

They're against suppression of free speech when it involves swearing out in public yet they want to suppress political speech they disagree with?

[thundley4]

I think the ban should include profanity laced music that is played too loud also.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Hundley, the title of the thread itself made me laugh diet coke out of my nose...well done sir!

[MrsSmith]

They're against suppression of free speech when it involves swearing out in public yet they want to suppress political speech they disagree with?

Loud foul language in public is "Normal."  Things like pastors making political remarks on the private grounds of their churches isn't.   

[Karin]

They're against suppression of free speech when it involves swearing out in public yet they want to suppress political speech they disagree with?

Well that's so obvious that it went clear over their heads.  Doesn't even occur to them.  At any rate, the point is lost on them.  They have a reading comprehension problem.  It's the people sitting on park benches yelling at each other, "F*** you, Motherf***ers!!!"  and the like.  They think that the old Puritans are going to put a stethoscope up to your door and listen to what you say when you hit your thumb with a hammer. 

I think this falls under disturbing the peace, and I have no problem with it.