Posted on 01/14/2009 10:32:57 PM PST by Lorianne
"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."
“So laughably unconstitutional I don’t know why they even try.”
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When children see children misbehaving freely without consequence even the timid ones eventually decide they can do it too. When “lawmakers” with the intelligence of two year olds see others trample the constitution every day why is is surprising that they decide they can do it too?
I remember one outburst from a coworker over forty years ago that would have gotten him a life sentence under this proposed law. As it was it only wound up costing him his job.
That IS a profanity and would fall under this law. :)
This profanity amendments are specific to Article 3 - OBSCENITY, MATERIAL HARMFUL TO MINORS, CHILD EXPLOITATION, AND CHILD PROSTITUTION.
Read it and let me know if you guys still have a problem with it.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have such laws.
I see a lot of you are performing your favorite exercise again: jumping to conclusions.
This bill amends a section of the South Carolina Code of Laws titled: CHAPTER 15 ARTICLE 3 OBSCENITY, MATERIAL HARMFUL TO MINORS, CHILD EXPLOITATION, AND CHILD PROSTITUTION
Also if you read at the top of the bill it states: SO AS TO MAKE IT UNLAWFUL TO COMMUNICATE PROFANITY IN A PUBLIC FORUM OR PLACE OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION; BY ADDING SECTION 16-15-430 SO AS TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF DISSEMINATING PROFANITY TO A MINOR AND PROVIDE A PENALTY FOR THE OFFENSE
In other words this bill makes it a felony for any adult to speak nasty to our children in chat rooms, forums, blogs and in public. And it imposes penalties for doing so.
Not a bad law in my opinion, but don't let that stop your hysteria.
Note: I realize not everyone I pinged was guilty of this, but thought that you might also be interested.
Two people telling the truth are louder than just one. :-)
What is it they say about great minds? ;~)
Well @#%$*! South Carolina.
What was that funny, futuristic movie with Sylvester Stallone, Benjamin Bratt? You know, where saying a bad word got you a ticket ... and everyplace was monitored, even the bathroom stalls? Speaking of bathroom, 3 shells.
Still unconstitutional. What do you have to do, use age-verification software to make sure no minor sees it every time you use a curse word on your blog?
And just what did I say that was "hysterical"?
“Section 16-15-370. (A) It is unlawful for a person in a public forum or place of public accommodation wilfully and knowingly 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.
(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.”
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I think you need to study this some more, there are two sections and you ignore the one above. The way I read it the new law would not limit the offense to offenses against minors at all. It would appear that any drunk in a public bar who makes an “indecent” comment would be liable to a fine of up to $5000. and or a five year prison sentence. If I read it correctly this is an abomination, a heinous offense against liberty and not even a matter of opinion at all. Admittedly legal language is not my forte, could someone schooled in the subject please comment?
Assuming I am not missing something this would fall under the warning Ayn Rand gave long ago that government cannot control law-abiding people so in the end so many laws will be passed than it is impossible to live without breaking a law. Who will decide what is indecent? Will, “I can’t stand liberals” be considered an indecent comment?
Even if you were right and I don’t think you are insofar as minors having to be involved, I am appalled that you would consider this “Not a bad law in my opinion”, half the hard-working fathers and many of the mothers I knew growing up would have been subject to imprisonment for what they said in front of their own children and their families would have been left wards of the state. Personally I find you to be the one who is hysterical! This proposal is a grevious offense against reason worthy of the maddest of mullahs excepting only that they believe in stoning or flogging rather than imprisonment.
Unfortunately, there are a number of anarchists on FR.
WTF?
I’m with George Washington on this one.
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So am I as far as the quote goes but I don’t see where he called for huge fines and or long imprisonments. This law is absurd in its tyrannical implications. I am ashamed to know that it was proposed in my state.
OK, not so bad then
Our problem is that no one reacts to obscenity anymore. There is no censure in public. Kids use the “F” word in the mall, shouting at one another and people walk by, afraid that if they react they’ll get an whooping. I guess the bigger problem is a loss of respect for one another. Obscenity and and violent behavior is only the symptom. Treating symptoms doesn’t cure the disease.
“Treating symptoms doesn’t cure the disease.”
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No, it doesn’t. Children want limits and when nobody enforces limits they think they can do whatever strikes their fancy, imposing prison terms on them as adults will not make up for the lack of discipline in childhood.
I agree. And too many parents shield their kids from consequences. Then we have to deal with them.
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