Poll: Victoria police given permission to fine swearing

[HellenicWarrior]

I see the point of this law. It's to stop that feeling of intimidation when a group of guys is walking towards you swearing to eachother and shouting obscenities. It's indirectly intimidating and out of place in a society. But anyway, it's not like large slabs of the population will be fined or prosecuted. It's just a tool to shut up smart ass kids and idiots who want to abuse police or people around them.

Fuck those guys.

 

[Ilikemilkshake]

Unless you're 'inciting hatred' or something like that against a particular group of people, then swearing is not offensive.
So no i think fining is wayyy too harsh, they should be given a warning to quiet down, and then after that if they're actually causing trouble, they should be arrested/fined for breach of the peace.

 

[Joccaren]

I think there's something fucking wrong with you people. Swearing is offensive. That's the point. "free speech" Christ I'm over this hippy bullshit.

Whether it is offensive or not depends on how it is used, and how often you here it. Here in Aus, we swear a lot. Sometimes, it is offensive; that is when we try to offend others. Most of the time, we consider it inoffensive (unless your a conservative person). I.E: Saying 'Oh Shit' if something bad happens, or other similar phrases. Here in Aus, casual swearing really isn't that offensive, and anyone who thinks it is seriously needs to grow a pair (see, I didn't swear, but that was likely more offensive than saying 'Shit' after I accidentally stab my hand on something)

 

[Maetrix]

You cannot make and enforce a law which is based on an OPINION - that is bias.

Much as I agree, a lot of laws are based solely on opinion - fueled by outrage.

I think it's a perfectly acceptable idea. As long as they have an exclusive list of what swearing is, they punish Police Officers equally under it, and it also covers the media.

Every. single. swear. word.

What if this includes the word "Crickey" - I mean, it IS Australia after all and you said ALL swear words... that'll get some knickers in a knot. (Er, are euphemisms and idioms to be covered as well?)

 

[FateOrFatality]

Hm? Your tone seems to imply you consider picketing sex offenders to be bad? I'm not really sure what you mean or how to respond here.

That is precisely what I mean. Do you seriously not have anything better to do with your life than to hound other people for mistakes they've made?

Well there is a sixty-year-old man near my home that was convicted of raping and molesting three children aged from four to seven over a twelve year period -- for which he served three years in gaol. I like to make sure the parents around him know what he is. Given that the re-offence rate for sex offenders, especially of his nature, is near on 100%, the more people who know the better.

While I personally wouldn't picket the house of a sex offender, I can understand why some might after watching something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XSB4sQGT_4

 

[Hafnium]

Not good, especially when the definitions are vague and depends on the officer.

I recommend the people there to use curses unknown to authorities, like N'wah.

 

[Mad1Cow]

Fining for mouthing off to a specific person, then yes that should be fine. But if I stub my toe of course I'm gonna shout a profanity.

Now see this one time in Yorkshire (that's Britain) I was driving through and a kid just walked out into the road not paying attention. I had to really brake to avoid killing the bugger, so beeped my horn up at him only to have him stick his middle finger up and shout profanities. THAT should be fined. Also when a police officer is trying to keep the peace and informs a certain rebel to stop shouting and swearing offensively at the officer, THAT should be a fine. A little cursing though under your breath is fine and shouldn't be fined for.

But I like to make up words instead of swear when something goes wrong. Keeps my brain active and isn't offensive to anyone unless "fudgynutkins" is offending anyone. In which case, I'm sorry =P

 

[Phoenixlight]

Doesn't seem like a very good idea, it's going to be hard to prove that someone swore and I doubt that police will fine each other.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

What if this includes the word "Crickey" - I mean, it IS Australia after all and you said ALL swear words... that'll get some knickers in a knot. (Er, are euphemisms and idioms to be covered as well?)

Oh certainly. If they want to fully enforce a law, then they'll have to research, produce and circulate every single word, phrase or idiom that's covered. Just so there's no chance of misunderstanding.

I mean, that's only fair, isn't it, if they want to block free speech. It would hardly be fair to leave it to judgement - because then you'd be open to all sorts of rumours of police corruption.

No, I think a list of all the banned swear words, including ones from different languages, needs to be written into law to help support this noble effort.