No More Gosh-Darn Swearing

Town plans $20 fine for public cursing

The town of Middleborough, Massachusetts is looking to rid itself of all those darned curse words by implementing a $20 fine on those who swear in public. Officials claim the proposal won't affect private or casual conversations. Instead, it's aimed at quieting teenagers who like to swear loudly in public.

Middleborough Police Chief Bruce Gates is the man tasked with handing out punishment if the proposal passes a town meeting Monday night, according to the Wall Street Journal. The criteria for a $20 fine? Anyone who "accosts or addresses another person with profane or obscene language in a street."

There is precedent for this: Ken Paulson, president of the nonprofit First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, told WSJ that there are exceptions to the First Amendment, such as if someone used curse words to threaten or provoke a fight. But Paulson also said the proposal as it stands now is too vague, and wouldn't stand up in court.

Would you be in favor of a law that banned public swearing?

[Jake26]

As much as loathe listening to it because people's vocabulary isn't any larger I would I no way support this.

[Bobolinsky]

"Would you be in favor of a law that banned public swearing?"
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Really? that's the best question you all could come up with? Here's some better suggestions.
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Should town officials and police chiefs/sheriff's be required to pass a basic test on test about the Bill of Rights?
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Should news reports about new fines include the court costs etc. that turn a $20 fine into a $200 drain on the bank account?
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Should public officials who are stupid enough to admit that they are targeting a specific group of citizens with a law that limits free speech be forced to wear a dunce cap until the next election?
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Should people who think that threats of violence can be stopped by an anti-swearing law be publicly shamed?

[steve-chicago]

I'm all for it. I referee basketball and any swearing is an automatic technical. So I'm all for penalizing swearing in public too. Once you infringe on others by doing it in public, you should pay the price.

[Jimbo]

Luckily, I live in the South. We don't cuss much down here. I never actually heard anyone use the "F-word" until I was out of college and working with yankees.

[dustyoutlaw]

This is going to be one rich small tow if those kids speak "hip hop" like they do everywhere I go.

[num1capitalist]

The government has no right passing legislation limiting free speech. Freedom is free that means no restrictions.

[serialjoe]

There are limitations to free speech. There are limitations to other freedoms as well.

[MongoAPillager]

if their after the teenagers then fine their waste of skin parents that brought them up that way

[TeresaJ]

I support it. Not that it should extend to homes, but I avoid going in the backyard so I don't have to hear my neighbor. Anytime you uphold one person's right, you infringe on someone else's. Not to mention that anyone who fights for the right to act however they want in public without regard for others is highly unlikely to be an asset to our nation. Having respect for your fellow neighbor is imperative to having a cohesive, law-abiding society, as opposed to anarchy. I will back any law that I feel would be in the best interests of our nation as a whole. As long as we can still speak against the government as we see fit without getting arrested, and private and home conversations are not included, I don't feel the "right to free speech" is being violated at all.

[Cammie39]

About time. Wish that they would do that here and everywhere. It is nonsence and children shouldn't have to hear it every where. Bad enough they hear it with their homes of parents and other adults they are around. I think that it is nonsence and for another thing, cursing is against Jesus. all this cussin, and all this SIN IN THIS WORLD. Well it is like this, even though I support it, the law that is, really, is it really going to matter??? People are not going to care about this law. It is just those who lack morals and standards and don't have the descenty to keep that kind of language at home. For one, what good does it do to curse and swear. I mean come on now, it makes a person sound well, stupid.. Even if it may became part of the English Language. Ya over the years, but not back when Adam or Eve lived. Hellooo people, it is only going to get worse. Run, save yourself, The world is ending this year!!! Oh please, ya have to admit this is like so laughable.
was making a point how riducoulus things sound and how others panic an believe them. I know, I used to be one of those people.
but hey ya know isn't going ot matter on day of Judgement any how. No is it. We all are Dirty rotten sinners, the only one we need ot answer too for all that is Jesus.

[marine1]

They can all kiss my lower rear anatomy!!!!

[FollowTheMoney]

Legislating morality. Not the governments job.

[okboston]

How many posters that think legistlating cursing in public is something the government should not get into also think they have to have laws against abortion? Morality?

[Keyjo]

Gawd damnit!
Just more overzealous crapola! Kind of like those communities that outlaw smoking ANYWHERE in public and unfairly tax tobacco and alcohol. Or where there are bans on mobile phones while driving.

[hwyangel]

The funny part is that it will most likely be the parents that have to pay it! LOL

[Pagan_priest]

I am glad that I don't live in Mass. While I don't like hearing vulgar language in public, this law is just wrong. And unconstitutional, too.

[BJRAY]

I'm All For It !!! & Somebody Needs 2 Stand Up & do something about All these Boys Wearing Sagging Pants.

[CommonSense]

My art teacher in high school had a swear jar. Students always went up to the jar quarters in hand and swore, and put them in.

[Iamjim42]

This is a violation of the first amendment, end of debate.