Massachusetts Town Approves $20 Fine for Swearing in Public
by Lisa Rollins
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posted Jun 12 2012 6:36AM
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Residents of Middleborough, Massachusetts, last night (June 11th) approved imposing a $20 fine for public swearing in a move intended to crack down on loud, profanity-filled language used by teens and others who gather in the downtown area and public parks in the town of 20 thousand. Officials insist they are NOT aiming to censor casual or private conversations. The ACLU notes the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the government can't ban public speech just because it contains profanity, but Massachusetts law allows towns to enforce local laws that give police power to arrest anyone who, quote, "addresses another person with profane or obscene language."
So, what do YOU think of the idea of imposing a $20 fee for public swearing? Does it violate your Free Speech and finally, does it bother you to hear such talk in public.
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