What the Hell? Middleborough MA proposes $20 fine for swearing

[CalMeacham]

Saw this in today's Wall St. Journal, but it's elsewhere, too:

Middleborough Swearing Problem Leads to New Law to Fine Cursing - Town may fine people for swearing, A Massachusetts town is considering turning the concept of a swear jar into a local law. Under action proposed by the town's police chief, Middleborough, Mass., officials would fine people who use "vulgar language". The swearing ban is reportedly already on the books, but the chief wants to enforce it aggressively.


Middleborough, Mass. is considering passing a law that would allow police officers to fine swearers $20. Some Middleborough residents are pleased with the law, which Police Chief Bruce Gates says would improve the quality of life, but others see it as an overreach by the government.

http://wallstreeit.blogspot.com/2012...-leads-to.html

MIDDLEBOROUGH (CBS) – Public swearing is so bad in Middleborough that they’re considering a plan to start enforcing a longstanding but rarely-used law.

Folks in town have had enough of kids and some adults who think it’s OK to drop high-volume obscenities in their otherwise bucolic downtown.

“It’s intimidating to my customers,” says business owner Paulette Lilla, “to the people who are out here downtown, and I think it’s a good thing that they’re doing something to try to curb it.”

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/04/3...-for-swearing/

[tdn]

I support the shit out of this fuckin' law.

[kayaker]

. . .and thus, the Tourrettes Defense was born.

[Laggard]

I'm no lawyer but I'm going to guess there may be some freedom of speech issues with this proposed law.

[garygnu]

Who the fuck decides what is or isn't vulgar language?

[Guinastasia]

If I had the money, I'd go there, and just start screaming obscenities. And just keep dropping twenty-dollar bills into the jar. Fuck yeah.

[tdn]

Originally Posted by garygnu

Who the fuck decides what is or isn't vulgar language?

George Carlin.

[Rhythmdvl]

I he didn't say shit, you must acquit!

[Sailboat]

Allegedly it's illegal to swear in Virginia, but if so, it's very selectively enforced.

[Taomist]

Originally Posted by Sailboat

Allegedly it's illegal to swear in Virginia, but if so, it's very selectively enforced.

Yeah, I figured it was just a VBeach thing, and couldn't believe there were actually signs up when I lived there.

http://images.travelpod.com/users/ba...inia-beach.jpg

[runner pat]

"John Spartan, you are fined five credits for repeated violations of the verbal morality statute. "

[alphaboi867]

Sure they'll start out banning cursing in public, but before you know it you won't even be able to curse at your toilet in the privacy of your own hom.

[Skammer]

About fucking time.

[MacTech]

…And people wonder why I call it Nannychusets …
…almost as bad as Nanny York, Nannyetticut, Nanny Jersey, Nannynois, and Nannyfornia…

…All states I would never live in.

[Laggard]

Originally Posted by garygnu

Who the fuck decides what is or isn't vulgar language?

You know it when you hear it.

[boytyperanma]

Originally Posted by MacTech

…And people wonder why I call it Nannychusets …
…almost as bad as Nanny York, Nannyetticut, Nanny Jersey, Nannynois, and Nannyfornia…

…All states I would never live in.

No people don't wonder why.

Last month Concord MA decided to ban the sale of all 'single size servings of bottled water'

I just wince every time I hear the results of a town meeting. Yeah we get a reputation for a reason.

Still I'd much rather live in MA then any other state.

[TBG]

I'd love to see someone so fined challenge this in court with a simple "Fucking first amendment, bitches." Granted, the judge probably won't like that.

[Dewey Finn]

Michigan had a similar law, and it was struck down about ten years ago. One difference is that the Michigan law was enacted late in the nineteenth century.

[Farmer Jane]

The law seems really silly at first, but I get extremely tired of teenagers dropping f-bombs and swearing loudly or being lewd when I'm at the grocery store or whatever. It's like, dude, there are kids here.

[Richard Parker]

Completely fucking unconstitutional, fortunately. I'm sure they are aware of that.

[Guinastasia]

Originally Posted by Farmer Jane

The law seems really silly at first, but I get extremely tired of teenagers dropping f-bombs and swearing loudly or being lewd when I'm at the grocery store or whatever. It's like, dude, there are kids here.

Yeah, they need to learn those words they way I did: from my parents and grandparents.

[Farmer Jane]

Originally Posted by Guinastasia

Yeah, they need to learn those words they way I did: from my parents and grandparents.

+1

I swear around my kid all of the time. But I don't do it at the grocery store!

Also...I thought "vulgar" generally referred to things like, "Yeah, I'd hit them lady-bits!" or something?

[Enkel]

Originally Posted by tdn

I support the shit out of this fuckin' law.

Hell YES mother fucker! About damn time!

[Enkel]

Originally Posted by MacTech

…And people wonder why I call it Nannychusets …
…almost as bad as Nanny York, Nannyetticut, Nanny Jersey, Nannynois, and Nannyfornia…

…All states I would never live in.

Yup... I live in O-fuckin-hio

[Enkel]

Originally Posted by alphaboi867

Sure they'll start out banning cursing in public, but before you know it you won't even be able to curse at your toilet in the privacy of your own hom.

How sad is it that I knew what that was before I clicked on the link. Oh, sure I can remember that stupid news article, but can't seem to find my keys in the morning.

[Punoqllads]

Originally Posted by alphaboi867

Sure they'll start out banning cursing in public, but before you know it you won't even be able to curse at your toilet in the privacy of your own hom.

No fear. Justice prevailed.

Originally Posted by Farmer Jane

The law seems really silly at first, but I get extremely tired of teenagers dropping f-bombs and swearing loudly or being lewd when I'm at the grocery store or whatever. It's like, dude, there are kids here.

And they need to keep off of your lawn.

[Spiderman]

Originally Posted by garygnu

Who the fuck decides what is or isn't vulgar language?

Please, use appropriate language...

What fucking asshole decides what the fuck is or what the fuck isn't vulgar fucking language?


See, that was't hard, was it?

Just someone wantin' to make a name for himself

[Rachellelogram]

That police chief sounds like a really big CONTrol freak. Maybe the residents should consider a trip to the Hoover DAM to get away from it all, and eat some SHIITake mushrooms while they're there. By the way, I have a nice COCKer spaniel for sale, if anyone's interested. Do you know what they call the biggest PUSSYcat on the block? The alPHA Cat! And what do alPHA Cats like to eat? A TITmouse! And when you play the piano really softly, it's called PIANISSimo.

Just some ideas for the civilly disobedient Middleburgesses out there!

[BigT]

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

Michigan had a similar law, and it was struck down about ten years ago. One difference is that the Michigan law was enacted late in the nineteenth century.

I'm surprised they couldn't invoke the obscenity exception. If it can exist for printed material, why not speech?

[Acsenray]

Because the use of bad words by itself isn't obscene.

[Typo Knig]

Originally Posted by Sailboat

Allegedly it's illegal to swear in Virginia, but if so, it's very selectively enforced.

Originally Posted by Taomist

Yeah, I figured it was just a VBeach thing, and couldn't believe there were actually signs up when I lived there.

http://images.travelpod.com/users/ba...inia-beach.jpg

Originally Posted by MacTech

…And people wonder why I call it Nannychusets …
…almost as bad as Nanny York, Nannyetticut, Nanny Jersey, Nannynois, and Nannyfornia…

…All states I would never live in.

MacTech add NannyGinia to your list. You've only got 43 left.

[gunnergoz]

As a regular foul-mouth in private, I for one would welcome the return to civility in public discourse. I'm tired of hearing sub-teens yelling "f--k this" and "f--k that" everywhere I go, not to mention older people who should know better and theoretically give a hoot.

[DianaG]

Tough. My right to say what I like short of slander or incitement to violence supersedes your desire to have your delicate sensibilities defended by local government. No one has the right to never be offended.

[Dewey Finn]

Originally Posted by MacTech

…And people wonder why I call it Nannychusets …
…almost as bad as Nanny York, Nannyetticut, Nanny Jersey, Nannynois, and Nannyfornia…

…All states I would never live in.

Don't you live in New Hampshire? Until it was overturned in 1942, state law in New Hampshire said, "No person shall address any offensive, derisive or annoying word to any other person who is lawfully in any street or public place, nor call him by any offensive or derisive name, nor make any noise or exclamation in his presence and hearing with intent to deride, offend or annoy him, or to prevent him from pursuing his lawful business or occupation."

If you're deciding state residency based on the presence of over-reaching state laws, I think that you're going to have a hard time finding one that's never passed such laws.

[Guinastasia]

Originally Posted by gunnergoz

As a regular foul-mouth in private, I for one would welcome the return to civility in public discourse. I'm tired of hearing sub-teens yelling "f--k this" and "f--k that" everywhere I go, not to mention older people who should know better and theoretically give a hoot.

You probably wouldn't have wanted to be around my grandmother, then.

[MacTech]

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

Don't you live in New Hampshire? Until it was overturned in 1942, state law in New Hampshire said, "No person shall address any offensive, derisive or annoying word to any other person who is lawfully in any street or public place, nor call him by any offensive or derisive name, nor make any noise or exclamation in his presence and hearing with intent to deride, offend or annoy him, or to prevent him from pursuing his lawful business or occupation."

If you're deciding state residency based on the presence of over-reaching state laws, I think that you're going to have a hard time finding one that's never passed such laws.

Nope, I live in the free fucking state of fucking Maine!

[Chessic Sense]

Originally Posted by gunnergoz

I'm tired of hearing sub-teens yelling "f--k this" and "f--k that" everywhere I go, not to mention older people who should know better and theoretically give a hoot.

Ah, yes, the ever-present "you should know better" argument, wherein one skirts the burden of proof by immediately seizing moral high ground.

Originally Posted by Farmer Jane

The law seems really silly at first, but I get extremely tired of teenagers dropping f-bombs and swearing loudly or being lewd when I'm at the grocery store or whatever. It's like, dude, there are kids here.

And they're probably tired of smelly old people telling them what they can and can't say in public. These old people today, man I tell ya, it's like they have no concept of the right to be a dick.

[Eonwe]

Vagina.

[gunnergoz]

Originally Posted by Guinastasia

You probably wouldn't have wanted to be around my grandmother, then.

Twenty plus years in law enforcement and 6 years in the military and I've heard it all (and probably said it all myself). I just don't appreciate it in public, where there are polite people and especially children around. There is a time and place for it but not in general public IMO.

[gunnergoz]

Originally Posted by Chessic Sense

Ah, yes, the ever-present "you should know better" argument, wherein one skirts the burden of proof by immediately seizing moral high ground.

And they're probably tired of smelly old people telling them what they can and can't say in public. These old people today, man I tell ya, it's like they have no concept of the right to be a dick.

As if the current generation of young people invented youthful rebellion. It is tiresome to endure, no matter which generation is going through that phase.

[Ulf the Unwashed]

Let's see what other nanny states we can get MacTech to stay away from:

Michigan, where a state legislator was silenced for using the word "vagina";
Alabama, where you can't buy a penis-shaped dildo;
Utah, where the liquor laws are really bizarre;
Nebraska, where they don't allow prostitution;
Arkansas, where you aren't allowed to own your own nuclear device...

[Guinastasia]

Originally Posted by gunnergoz

As if the current generation of young people invented youthful rebellion. It is tiresome to endure, no matter which generation is going through that phase.

There are a lot of things that are "tiresome to endure", but I'd say hearing profanity is pretty low on the scale. There's no such right to be free of such a thing. On the contrary, there IS a right to free speech.

I don't like hearing racist comments, but I don't want to ban them. I don't like Justin Bieber, but I don't want to ban him either. Children aren't going to fall apart from hearing a few four-letter words.

You can't ban everything you find offensive, or "tiresome". Life would be pretty boring if we did, quite frankly.

[CalMeacham]

Today's Boston Globe had an editorial cartoon that suggests that New York City can curse for Middleborough people, and Midleborough folks can drink 32 ounce soft drinks on bahalf of New Yorkers. It's a Cultural Exchange.

[jtgain]

I don't necessarily support a law, but it's not really too much to keep your voice down when telling your buds how well this chick you picked up last night can suck dick....when there is a family with young kids at the table next to you.

It's sad that laws have to be passed because some people can't be polite.

[Guinastasia]

Originally Posted by jtgain

I don't necessarily support a law, but it's not really too much to keep your voice down when telling your buds how well this chick you picked up last night can suck dick....when there is a family with young kids at the table next to you.

It's sad that laws have to be passed because some people can't be polite.

It doesn't HAVE to be passed at all. People are allowed to be rude, so long as they're not assaulting you.

[Phèdre nó Delaunay]

Originally Posted by Farmer Jane

The law seems really silly at first, but I get extremely tired of teenagers dropping f-bombs and swearing loudly or being lewd when I'm at the grocery store or whatever. It's like, dude, there are kids here.

I agree, it's really disgusting. And sadly, it's not just teens.

[Phèdre nó Delaunay]

Originally Posted by Ulf the Unwashed

Alabama, where you can't buy a penis-shaped dildo;

You can absolutely buy penis-shaped dildos in Alabama.

[Dewey Finn]

Originally Posted by jtgain

I don't necessarily support a law, but it's not really too much to keep your voice down when telling your buds how well this chick you picked up last night can suck dick....when there is a family with young kids at the table next to you.

It's sad that laws have to be passed because some people can't be polite.

People can and will be impolite whether or not they use swear words. You can't regulate etiquette.

[robert_columbia]

Originally Posted by Sailboat

Allegedly it's illegal to swear in Virginia, but if so, it's very selectively enforced.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...0+cod+18.2-388

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by Ulf the Unwashed

Arkansas, where you aren't allowed to own your own nuclear device...

Have you a cite on that?

Need answer fast!