Poll: Victoria police given permission to fine swearing

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

Wait what? What good will come of this?

Personally I feel it's bullshit, especially since people usually swear when getting arrested.

that's actually a good point


plus i curse all the damn time just because, 99% of my cursing is not directed at anyone or any idea or form, usually its if i stub my toe or something going "AH FUCK, FUCKIN WALL" or something of the sort, i mean what's better to say in that situation? "oh wall, thank you for making me self aware of your presence there in the corner by initiating physical conversation with my pinky toe"

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

"Swearing is bad" is an opinion. And I know this is true because I disagree with it; hence, it is an opinion and not fact. You cannot make and enforce a law which is based on an OPINION - that is bias. That is unbalanced, and that is unjust.

In fact, my opinion is that "swearing" isn't even swearing. This set of words are "swearing" because... Why, exactly? Nobody can answer that question. They're just "bad" simply because a lot of people decided to agree that they are with no reason or logic behind it. Fuck that. There's nothing wrong with those words and I'm not going to pretend that there is just because a bunch of other people want me to.

I'm reminded of a scene in some Slyvester Stalone (I think) movie where he's in the future and they don't have toilet paper, and he needs something to wipe with. And they ticket you for swearing, so he swears a whole bunch and takes the tickets to go wipe his ass with. That's basically what I think of this law.
EDIT: The video that the guy right above me linked is the movie I was talking about just now. Thanks, guy above me!

holy shit i haven't seen this movie but that is awesome, i have to go see that now..

 

[Sparcrypt]

Most people don't actually realise this, but if a cop followed you round for a day or so there would be dozens of things they could fine you for if they so wished. The reason they don't is because police are expected to use their discresion - ie, they are not SUPPOSED to book people for every little thing they do.

However due to the joy of lawyers, if the law does not lean heavily to the side of being able to book you for just about anything, the actual offenders are able to get out of their crimes.

As someone already pointed out, police have always been able to charge people for swearing - the idea behind it being that they don't have to put up with people swearing at them, and rightly so. The difference now is that it becomes an on the spot fine, not a court summons. This takes strain away from our legal system, which is overwhelmed with things like that.

You can still challenege the fine in court if you feel it was issued unjustly. Otherwise, how about just being nice to people? Everyone goes on about free speech, what about the right to not have to listen people swear at you as you go about your day?

 

[Bobbity]

I posted a thread about this yesterday, but everyone ignored me.

This act gives police powers to combat anti-social behaviour, such as abusive swearing, pissing in public, and doing a whole bunch of anti-social shit. They're not going to reel you in for a couple of swear words under your breathe, although it's left (intentionally) vague as to whether or not this law would apply to casually swearing in public.

Personally, I feel that the government is far overstepping its rights here, and that our premier is trying to turn us into a fucking nanny state. It's not just me who thinks that, either.

So you want people to be allowed to piss in public, swear at strangers and do a whole bunch of anti social shit? Because it seems to me that anything discouraging that sort of behavior can only be a good thing. If fining people will stop assholes being rude to old ladies or chavs pissing up my wall, then I am right behind that 100%. It isn't as if the cops are going to come into my home and listen in on my private ranting, is it?

What fucks me off more is how many people seem to prioritize "free speech" over common decency in front of strangers. This law came around because assholes don't know how to pipe it down whilst around members of the public. If people knew how to treat language responsibly, we wouldn't be seeing such a so-called draconian law.

Sorry, I worded that badly. This ban on swearing is part of the bill cracking down on anti-social behaviour, and it's this one specific aspect of it that I'm uncomfortable about. There are already laws against all of them, but it's so far been hell for the police to try and combat it. This bill just lets them take direct action, rather than having to go through the drama of issuing a summons to court, and then letting that whole process happen.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

As someone already pointed out, police have always been able to charge people for swearing - the idea behind it being that they don't have to put up with people swearing at them, and rightly so.

Ah, this is one of the few joys of living in South Oz... 'swearing' isn't automatically 'offensive language' here - it has to be 'used in a manner intended or likely to cause offence'. Basically, if you're not insulting or threatening someone there's not much they can do... not that they'd care - they've got plenty of other policing powers here to make their displeasure known.

 

[KanHanderan]

Overall, it's a pretty poor idea. However, the police could go to a lesser fine ($50?) or make them do something annoying. I don't know-touch their toes?

America. Land of the free. And land of taking your freedom away.

You do realize he's speaking of Australia eh? lets face it, if that happened in America 99% of politicians and rappers would go bankrupt in 0.5 seconds.

Approval Guy approved.

 

[Goro]

I am 34 years old, and a father of two. I'd be very happy if people got fined for swearing in public, my 3 year old daughter has the right to play at a playground without being exposed to indecent language. As for quoting Voltaire, I actually wear a green uniform and stand between you and the people who would take away your way of life.
So, go fuck yourself!
Hope I didn't offend any of you kids.

 

[Iron Mal]

I personally think this is a stupid idea.

We shouldn't have to have legal mandate be the reason people are nice to each other, this is my reason as for why you'll notice a lot more people acting anti-socially towards each other these days.

If someone is nice to you then usually you'll feel obliged to be nice back to them because for the most part that's how we react towards friendly and kind behavior (unless we have a good reason not to, for example, the person who just gave you candy was Freddy Krueger and you're starting to feel sleepy).

When you make politeness, tolerance and friendliness all legal mandate then you'll find that people only act courtious because they don't want hassle rather than because they actually like or give a damn about anyone.

By pushing said qualities you'll find that people don't develop their own reasons for being a good person to others, actually choosing to be nice to someone is just as important as the actual act of kindness itself, it's that choice that laws like this take away, enforcing it in such a way that it'll feel kind of shallow and artificial (and which will probably result in people feeling even more spiteful towards others as a result resulting in further laws to 'keep the peace' and so on and so forth until pretty much everything we do will have to be an act of some kind lest we hurt someone's feelings).

 

[InfiniteSingularity]

Australia? Hey, we need to talk about these silly old men who run your country... can you help them kick the bucket a bit earlier? Kay thanks.

Yeah, i know right?

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

I just hate the left. And the right, but it's easy to hate the right. Being young, white and middle-class, I'm meant to be left-wing, but I just can't do it.

Be a centrist, it fucks with their scripted comebacks when you criticise something. Way better to be able to weigh policy and issues on their own merits rather than tow a party line... downside is you usually have to know what you're talking about.

When I don't feel like talking politics I usually trot out this line:

"Left? Right? Stop acting like they're not just different sides of the same coin shaped turd."

 

[Zenode]

Cops arent absolute dicks though, i believe they would only fine you if your being a smartass.

i.e. they would fine you if you said at them "fuck this, i didnt do anything"

but wouldn't fine you for

*Had your house robbed* and the cops come in and ask you about it and you say "fucking hell, why did this have to happen to me"

I believe it will depend on the circumstances, if they HAVE to fine you for swearing each and every time, then yeah it's a bit bullshit.

 

[w-Jinksy]

Snip

Fuck means to have sex, shit means crap and ***** means female dog.

Last time I checked anyway...

The original term of Fuck was to push.
You can see how it changed.. [giggle]

Zing!

OT: freedom of speech be fucked we cant have people saying anything they want in a civilized culture, everyone has to adhere to rule of forced politeness and think the same way and can never express disdain for a person or situation. /sarcasm

yeah as you can probably tell i think this is pretty fucking stupid, also it's a violation of freedom of speech. which is a kicker.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

"Swearing is bad" is an opinion. And I know this is true because I disagree with it; hence, it is an opinion and not fact. You cannot make and enforce a law which is based on an OPINION - that is bias. That is unbalanced, and that is unjust.

That is where you're mistaken. You can, in fact, pass legislation based entirely on perspective. For example: the criminalization of prostitution, any number of drugs, outlawing homosexual marriage and so forth.

I'd agree that it is a violation of free speech, but then I'm not at all certain that Australia has any guarantee of such a right. I simply do not know enough about their system of government to have an opinion on if it is legal. I don't agree with it of course, but that probably didn't need to be said.

 

[Midnyte]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSQmk6gGTcE&feature=related

Pretty much sums up my views on swearing!

 

[InfiniteSingularity]

"Swearing is bad" is an opinion. And I know this is true because I disagree with it; hence, it is an opinion and not fact. You cannot make and enforce a law which is based on an OPINION - that is bias. That is unbalanced, and that is unjust.

That is where you're mistaken. You can, in fact, pass legislation based entirely on perspective. For example: the criminalization of prostitution, any number of drugs, outlawing homosexual marriage and so forth.

I'd agree that it is a violation of free speech, but then I'm not at all certain that Australia has any guarantee of such a right. I simply do not know enough about their system of government to have an opinion on if it is legal. I don't agree with it of course, but that probably didn't need to be said.

I know that you can. I don't think it's justifiable though, and that is my point - you cannot ethically pass a law that is based on bias. Maybe opinion was the wrong word, but biased opinion probably fits it.