Here in Virginia, at the Lynnhaven Mall, I saw a sign that really disturbed me.

It was a square, white sign that had a red circle with a line through it. In the middle of that circle were these familiar symbols: *#$@%!.

What was this sign saying? No cursing.

My first reaction (which got a laugh out of the group I was with) was f*ck that!

Then I thought about it... how could Virginia possibly issue fines for using curse words, legally??

Is that not a violation of my first amendment rights? Freedom of speech and freedom of expression? Why isn't the ACLU all over this?

How Many Wife's are you allowed to have?

http://www.freedomforum.org/templates/document.asp?documentID=15992 

The link is to the MI canoist who was fined for swearing in front of a woman and child. He took it to the MI court of appeal which struck down the law in support of the first ammendment.

But then again, you're in the bible belt!

SteveR of Cbid's power seems to be spreading. Someone must stop this madman.

I am standing and applauding you Doc! That was too funny!

That little sign is the least of your concerns.

Right or wrong, not all speech is protected by the 1st Amendment. Can you yell fire in a theater? Can you say that you want to shoot the president?

While I think that cursing is pushing the limit of unprotected speech, you'd need to be arrested and convicted, then appeal it.

I'm with you - loudly say, "F it"

They also give you a ticket if you wear your jeans lower than your underwear. If a girl's thongs happens to peek outta her jeans...she can get a ticket for that too.

I certainly understand the common sense of watching your language in certain atmospheres. I wouldn't go to church, or a daycare center, and curse like a sailor.

But a mall is a public place, is it not? I was merely questioning the legality of fining people for their language in such a place.

"That little sign is the least of your concerns."

Would you mind elaborating for me tuck?

macs

you need to be concerned for your soul. anyone who would use such language is obviously out of Jesus' circle of salvation.

clean up your mouth so Jesus will love you and you can applaud signs like that cause they try to enforce conservative Jesus values

Your speech is protected from retribution by the government, with a few exceptions. So it depends on who's doing the fining. If the government owns the mall then they can't do it. If its a private owner, he can do what he wants but would have a hard time collecting a fine. They can kick you off the property though.

"..Can you yell fire in a theater?..'

-------------------------------------------

Can you yell "theatre" in a firehouse?

8

you probably can in a Brokeback Firehouse

MACS

If you head down toward the waterfront in Virginia beach they have those signs posted along the road as well.

Mac,

They ACLU is all over cases that involve censorship and swearing. However, simply putting up a sign that tells people not to swear is also freedom of expression and speech, so they would also support the mall that posted it.

If someone tried to fine you for swearing, they would support you.....If someone tried to make them take the sign down, they would support the mall.

It's a both sided support.

Sort of like a crossover bra.

Adroomi just analogized the ACLU to a bra, something other BOTL have been doing around here for as long as I can remember.

I imagine that malls are privately owned.

By shopping there, you opt into obeying their rules, no matter how stupid.

Privately owned places posting stupid rules???? Why that's insane!

Next they'll be trying to post stupid rules on courthouse walls and in front of Federal Buildings.