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'Let’s Go Brandon' signs test boundaries of obscenity and free speech
FOX 43 ^ | July 7, 2022 | Harri Leigh

Posted on 07/10/2022 8:34:05 PM PDT by DoodleBob

RED LION, Pa. — Signs and flags emblazoned with the phrase “Let’s Go Brandon” and the stronger-language phrase it substitutes for aren’t an uncommon sight in Central Pennsylvania yards and on cars.

Flying a flag with the “F” word on it offends some, while others, like Melissa Low of Mount Wolf, are concerned about its impact on kids.

“No matter your political opinion, I don’t think it needs to be that vulgar,” she said.

One can debate whether the phrase is in bad taste, but there’s likely no legal basis to remove them.

Free speech does have some limits; for example, the Supreme Court has ruled obscenity is not protected.

“But what the Supreme Court means by obscenity in that context is not swear words. It’s hard-core pornography,” said Michael Dimino, a law professor at Widener Law Commonwealth.

The “F” word could qualify as obscenity in certain contexts if its use “appeals to the prurient interest,” meaning the language is overly sexual. In that context, displaying a sign with the “F” word could violate a Pennsylvania law banning the display of obscenity.

In the case of “Let’s Go Brandon” and the phrase it represents, the “F” word instead has a distinctly political meaning. Political speech is the most protected form of speech in the Constitution.

“It may be vulgar. It may be obscene. It may be hate speech,” said attorney Mark Scaringi of Scaringi Law. “But the slogan is protected by the First Amendment.”

After seeing a few such signs in Red Lion Borough, FOX43 reached out to borough officials. The borough solicitor said the speech would be protected even if residents complained, though one borough official said he had not heard of any complaints.

Just because the signs are legal, though, doesn’t mean they’re appreciated by neighbors.

“I think people do have a right to put what they want in their yard,” Low said. “But I just don’t feel that it needs to be vulgar and something that’s negative for the community.”


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: alinsky; associatedpress; bidenvoters; concerntroll; dissent; fjb; freespeech; frpottymouths; harrileigh; letsgobrandon; lgb; media; mediawingofthednc; panicporn; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills; pottymouths; ronklain; rulesforradicals; testboundaries
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To: DoodleBob

Are those kids his grandkids? If so, he surely spread that blonde gene.


21 posted on 07/10/2022 8:59:39 PM PDT by NetAddicted (Just looking)
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To: DoodleBob

22 posted on 07/10/2022 9:00:50 PM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: Allegra

It’s like saying “shoot” or goshdarned”.


23 posted on 07/10/2022 9:02:03 PM PDT by Southside_Chicago_Republican (The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog. )
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To: Southside_Chicago_Republican

24 posted on 07/10/2022 9:02:59 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: dfwgator

: )


25 posted on 07/10/2022 9:07:00 PM PDT by Southside_Chicago_Republican (The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog. )
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To: DoodleBob

Check the signs at the abortion protests and get back to me.


26 posted on 07/10/2022 9:07:12 PM PDT by MileHi ((Liberalism is an ideology of parasites, hypocrites, grievance mongers, victims, and control freaks.)
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To: Allegra
I agree. I love that it annoys them.

An annoyance they created that's now gotta a life of its own - beautiful.

27 posted on 07/10/2022 9:08:06 PM PDT by Ahithophel (Communication is an art form susceptible to sudden technical failure)
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To: DoodleBob

Look who is worried about obscenity.

It’s to laugh.


28 posted on 07/10/2022 9:09:28 PM PDT by Maris Crane
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To: NetAddicted

Read what those kids’ hats and t-shirts say.


29 posted on 07/10/2022 9:09:36 PM PDT by enumerated
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To: DoodleBob

Melissa can have a good cry with Paul Ryan, after their pedicures.


30 posted on 07/10/2022 9:12:47 PM PDT by kiryandil (China Joe and Paycheck Hunter - the Chink in America's defenses)
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To: DoodleBob; dfwgator

But, “F the police” and “ACAB” (all cops are bastards) are just fine and dandy.

Of course, to me, ACAB stands for “All communists are bastards.”


31 posted on 07/10/2022 9:14:19 PM PDT by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait!)
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To: DoodleBob

My British Car Club did a 7 hour cruise through SE Indiana Saturday. Lots of Trump signs, Let’s Go Brandon and FJB, one FJB was spray painted on a large sheet draped over a Trump 2024 sign. Not one BLM or Rainbow Flag. However in Oldenburg there was a sign that said “immigrants and refugees welcome”. I’m thinking the farms need the labor.


32 posted on 07/10/2022 9:18:57 PM PDT by bleach (If I agreed with you, we would both be wrong.)
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To: DoodleBob

There is not a single filthy thing about “Let’s Go Brandon,” except what goes on in a person’s own head.


33 posted on 07/10/2022 9:19:28 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: All

Ridicule is a political tool that’s quite useful.

We are destroying Dems with the Meme Wars. People under 30 laugh at Democrats. It’s extremely quick and decisive messaging and makes people who support Joe = uncool.

FJB is funnier when it gets to “Let’s Go Brandon” because then the joke is on the media (MSM) who cover for Joe and deny reality. It’s a shorthand version to say screw this fake President and his real administration doing real damage to our country.

Trump showed us the way. Laugh at them. Destroy them. Belittle them. Scorch the earth they walk on.

We now have a treasure trove of criminality and perversity from Hunter. Should be a fun week for the Pedes.


34 posted on 07/10/2022 9:21:22 PM PDT by TigerClaws
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To: DoodleBob

I have small metal badges on both cars that say FJB edition as well as a decal on one car that says “Let’s Go Brandon #FJB.” So far so good. I’ve seen quite a few similar sentiments whenever I venture out.


35 posted on 07/10/2022 9:21:34 PM PDT by Prince of Space (Let’s Go, Brandon! )
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To: DoodleBob
And the harder and louder these Snowflake Cattle, Sheep, BetaCucks, (D)(S)Simps, RINOs, Traitors and Quislings squeal and REEE and weep and protest and angrily hypocritically whine about anything they want censored, the more We the People will go harder and louder.


36 posted on 07/10/2022 9:33:14 PM PDT by Miguk
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To: NetAddicted

It’d be hilarious is the Biden grandkids were huge Trump fans.


37 posted on 07/10/2022 9:34:07 PM PDT by irishjuggler
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To: DoodleBob

someone said today “I identify as Non-Bidenary”


38 posted on 07/10/2022 9:46:17 PM PDT by Bob434
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To: DoodleBob

The two girls with the Trump hats. How funny


39 posted on 07/10/2022 9:50:00 PM PDT by BigEdLB (Let’s go Brandon!)
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To: DoodleBob

The democrats gave us the rules. So Let’s Go Brandon


40 posted on 07/10/2022 9:50:40 PM PDT by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
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