South Carolina Seeking To Outlaw Profanity

MBGMorden writes "It looks like in an act that defies common sense, a bill has been introduced in the South Carolina State Senate that seeks to outlaw the use of profanity. According to the bill it would become a felony (punishable by a fine up to $5000 or up to 5 years in prison) to 'publish orally or in writing, exhibit, or otherwise make available material containing words, language, or actions of a profane, vulgar, lewd, lascivious, or indecent nature.' I'm not sure if 'in writing' could be applied to the internet, but in any event this is scary stuff."

Comments

Wha...

[slugtastic]

What about Freedom of speech?

Re:Ouch

[networkBoy]

add to that:
fucking first amendment baby!

Re:Pah!

[Sponge Bath]

...did you elect a pack of retards

The quality of politicians often mirrors the majority of the voting population.

Unenforceable.

[Anonymous Coward]

Unless S.C. wants to outlaw all language altogether, they're looking at something that's not even enforceable. So they ban your standard fucks, shits, and cunts. Awesome. Are they thinking new euphemisms and curses aren't going to spring up to fill the void? Failing creation of new words, are they going to prosecute the intent behind words used? If I can't express my displeasure about my boss in South Carolina using traditional profanity, will they go after me if I call him a doody-head?

Funny thing about language. It's creative and evolves. Even profanity is changing and twisting meaning - in some (usually male) teenagers today, 'fuck' is used like 'like' or 'um' might be used by certain other groups of people. There may not necessarily be any obscene intent behind the word, and may just be used as filler.

Re:Ouch

[Kymermosst]

Separation of church and state, don't forget that "under god" was added to the anthem and constitution in the 1950's unlawfully. This shit is getting out of fucking hand. Those mother fuckers.

Which amendment to the constitution added "under god"?

Re:What the fuck is wrong with South Carolina?

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't think there is something anybody could say or write that is obscene as flying the Confederate battle flag of the army of North Virginia from the state house of state with a large black population.

Re:Ouch

[Anthony_Cargile]

I live in South Carolina, and honestly this is one of the stupidest things I've seen my state do (did I mention we tried to secede from the union, still have a town named secessionville, AND re-enact a war we lost?)

Since this will soon be illegal, please allow me to say it: FUCK THIS STATE

Re:Ouch

[Enderandrew]

Write a letter to State Senator Ford and tell him to fuck off.

I'm not remotely kidding.

Re:Ouch

[El Yanqui]

all you folks need to remeber that profanity is NOT covered in the first amendment, it protects political free speech, not calling each other names or the like.

It's scary how misguided you are. Here's the First Amendment.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Kindly point out where it states that only political speech is covered. Profanity is most definitely covered by the First Amendment. You are thinking of obscenity which is a different animal and one that has had a shifting definition. Saying you're a fucking nitwit is entirely within my rights.