right to swear

[outhouse radio]

U.S. rights group sues to protect right to swear   (Reuters) - An American rights group is suing the police in Pennsylvania for issuing tickets, which carry a jail sentence, to people for swearing.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64D3D820100514?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews&rpc=69

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which filed the lawsuits earlier, argues that the right to use profanity is protected by the U.S. Constitution.

"Unfortunately, many police departments in the commonwealth do not seem to be getting the message that swearing is not a crime," said Marieke Tuthill of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. "The courts have repeatedly found that profanity, unlike obscenity, is protected speech."

Obscenity, under the Supreme Court's definition, refers to speech that mainly appeals to the "prurient interest" in sex, according to the ACLU.

One lawsuit involves an unidentified woman in Luzerne County in northeast Pennsylvania who was given a citation which carries a maximum penalty of $300 and 90 days in jail after she yelled an offensive word at a motorcyclist who swerved close to her in October 2008.

In a separate case a man was arrested, cited for disorderly conduct and briefly jailed after shouting a double expletive at a policeman who was writing him a parking ticket.

The two are among at least 750 people in Pennsylvania a year who face illegal disorderly conduct charges because of the use of profanity in Pennsylvania, the ACLU said.

Citations for swearing have also been handed out in other states including Michigan and New York, according to the ACLU, which said it has successfully defended about a dozen people in profanity prosecutions.

But the group added that there are more citations given out in Pennsylvania than other states.

"Cops don't understand that there's a legal definition of obscenity and therefore issue citations for profanity," said Sara Mullen, a spokeswoman for the ACLU.

Tuthill added that the ACLU will continue to bring lawsuits until the practice of issuing citations for swearing is stopped.

[RF BURNZ]

That's a bunch of shit!   But ever there were places you'd want and need to use profanity, its Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York.  Only the morally corrupt would censor free speech.  We've got that lousy, two faced liar in Connecticut running for public office lying about being in Viet Nam.  Why can he tell lies and no fine, but I say "shit" in public and suddenly its a ticket?

Free Speech has been under attack since it was written into the Bill of Rights.  Its what the government does!

[cmradio]

Congratulations, PA! You have adopted one of the most corrupt of British laws

Idiots!

Peace!