Poll: Victoria police given permission to fine swearing

[universaltraveller]

There was one country I thought had worse language than ours, and that is the land of Aus, look's like their abit screwed now... haha.

Anyway, my views; I have never understood people who get really offended by certain arrangements of sound frequencys, it's just random noise people. Fair enough some were created to directly offend people, but what's worse, someone running at you and punching you in the face, or, someone just turning around and shouting 'You're a c*nt!'. There was once a saying about sticks and stones... but ah, whatever...

On another note, will people in Victoria get fined for saying 'Meecrob'? Which we all know is the worst word in the English and Thai languages...

 

[Baradiel]

I won't go so far as to accuse this law of emulating Newspeak, it restricting the words people can use, because it isn't going to be enforced every fucking time.

This law will probably be designed to combat anti-social behaviour, or prejudice. I've visited Australia to see family. They'd only been there about a year, but already they had the local racist attitude towards Aboriginals. I was shocked.

Basically, this is just a law to try and combat anti-social behaviour.

Swearing = good. Its an expression of language and can have a powerful use in conveying your meaning.

Swearing at people in the street (for no reason) = bad. Thats deserving of a fine.

 

[Ocelano]

New laws are giving Victorian police in Australia to give people $240 on the spot for swearing. What do you think of this?

Personally I think it's a violation of free speech - we should be allowed to say what we want to say. There are laws prohibiting offensive language, but I don't think swearing is offensive. It's not directed at a particular ethnic or religious or any division of humanity, it is only universally offensive. I personally think that if people find something offensive, like swearing, it's their own business, and the law shouldn't intervene.

"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.

Query Is this law contextual or general example a policeman is walking past your house while you are swearing at that gosh darn doodad for destroying your thingie can he get you or is it only when out in public.

Not That I really Care cos I'm a new south welshman so couldn't give a friggin dump what the vickies do. I just feel that a man or woman should have the freedom to scream whatever obscenities in the comfort of his/her own home as they feel appropriate because let's face it if I don't vent there I'll probably just end up doing it in the face of the next customer who likes at me funny

 

[Ocelano]

This is why I don't like how Australia doesn't really have a bill of rights (I'm pretty sure we don't have one - other than the right to vote, etc. - but correct me if I'm wrong).

The Government shouldn't be able to control what words we say, nor what games we play, or any of the other bullshit they do (making small breasts in porn illegal, attempting to censor websites, trying to remove the MA15+ rating).

Edit: Also, how the hell do they define swearing? Do they have a specific list, or are police just allowed to hand out fines if they think whatever you said could be considered swearing? It seems that with modern slang etc. it could be difficult to just define swearing. What if I went around screaming Chinese cursewords? Could I be fined for that?

I didn't here about the removal of the ma15+ when did that happen? I remember the jackass saying he would use veto to block any videogame R Ratings

 

[Ursus Buckler]

Despite the fact I swear quite a lot in idle conversation, I do somewhat agree with this in certain circumstances... like, if I swore in range of a child, I mean yeah, fine, fair enough.

 

[FateOrFatality]

This is why I don't like how Australia doesn't really have a bill of rights (I'm pretty sure we don't have one - other than the right to vote, etc. - but correct me if I'm wrong).

The Government shouldn't be able to control what words we say, nor what games we play, or any of the other bullshit they do (making small breasts in porn illegal, attempting to censor websites, trying to remove the MA15+ rating).

Edit: Also, how the hell do they define swearing? Do they have a specific list, or are police just allowed to hand out fines if they think whatever you said could be considered swearing? It seems that with modern slang etc. it could be difficult to just define swearing. What if I went around screaming Chinese cursewords? Could I be fined for that?

I didn't here about the removal of the ma15+ when did that happen? I remember the jackass saying he would use veto to block any videogame R Ratings

They haven't yet, to my knowledge - note how I said trying. Some officials want to introduce an R18+ rating, but then also completely remove the MA15+ rating, meaning games will either be PG or R, etc. Bad news for teens.

 

[steeple]

this has got to be the dumbest fucking excuse for a shitty law forcing crappy ideals forced by fucktards bitches...

so, this means I have to sell my house now? XD

but seriously, this is such a bad idea... what next? tax people whenever they say something bad about justin beiber?

 

[liveslowdiefast]

i'm ok with it if its fining for words with dergoatory means behind them i.e "fag" or "******" but for just swearing thats ridiculous. in my opioion

 

[richd213]

They can fuck off if they think this is a good idea.

 

[Maetrix]

Personally, I have no problem with this law. It's worked in Whistler, BC and is designed mainly for those too obtuse to develop any social skills. It helps the police cut down on belligerent attitudes and like most fines of these sorts, you usually need to go beyond the call of decency to incur a fine.

Part of living in a society is sharing a common level of decency and I for one don't like, nor appreciate, the downward slide that society has taken over the past few years.

but swearing is a contextual part of language. in some situations fine, it's frowned upon, but in other it is acceptable. for instance, saying fuck as every other word yeah i disagree with that, but if you stub your toe and just go "owww shit!" you can be fined. i disagree with that, a lot.

people who use swear words a lot don't use them because they don't know it is wrong. they use them because they know they are wrong, but they want to get a reaction. personally i think they are just words, if you get offended by them then you need to grow a pair, the people who use them in common conversation probably use them because of their lack of vocabulary.

Context is key in this discussion as you said. I doubt places where laws like this already exist people are fined for stubbing their toe. First off, a peace officer present for the fine to be issued, but usually they are trained to assess the situation and determine if the paperwork is worthwhile. I know I've been let out of speeding tickets with a warning a few times enough to know there's some leeway with enforcement.

Personally I don't think this will cause as much of a disturbance as people assume it will. Sure, there'll be the token first infraction that will get a whirl of media, but then it will be accepted as norm and settle out.