I wonder who would be in charge of defining obscenities and I wonder what words would be on that list.

The late George Carlin had a couple lists of words you couldn't say.

Seven words you cant say by George Carlin

How can you regulate obscenities and not hinder people's right to freedom of speech? Have you seen all the obscenities that they allow on TV now? I am not against obscenities, as I tend to spout them off from time to time myself, but I do think people need some sort of realization of when is a good time to use them and when is a bad time to use them... maybe some good ol' common sense is needed! LOL! Also, we need to just understand and cope with the fact that they will never go away and they will only get worse with time. Though, words are just words until you associate a meaning to them - just like money is just paper with ink on it. It isn't money until you put a value to it.

Nice analogy. With Obama's wonderful tactics, I'm sure money will in fact become merely paper.

And you're right, they are just words that we give value to. Lol, if someone from France was sitting in one of these public places and hear those obscenities, I'm betting he wouldn't be 'emotionally attacked' or 'offended'.

China is slowly reducing the amount of US debt it buys and is Buying up GOLD. China has bought enuff gold to fill fort knox three times over. Scary ? Do you know what the American Dollar is backed by ? Ummm, Credit and a promise.

If stranded in the desert a jug of water would be worth more than all the Gold that exists on the planet. Gold is the same as paper, worthless, unless people believe differently. It's all faith based and most of us still have faith.

freedom of speech people..... the US has turned into a bunch of pansies. my god arresting somebody for swearing in public, whats next taxing people because they eat junk food... oh wait there trying to do that. public is public for a reason if you dont want to hear what other people are saying mind your own DAMN!!! (oh no the internet police is going to get me) business, unless ur trying to pay attention to other conversations. Sorry if i offend but grow a pair and get over yourselves

Jason Murray for President 2012!

Posted by Mai Knaym on July 7, 2009 - 11:41am
How can you regulate obscenities and not hinder people's right to freedom of speech?

Mai, no one is trying to hinder a person's right to free speech. The issue (which has been clouded by the inane claim of trying to censor) is creating a public disturbance.
If someone comes at you and begins yelling and screaming obscenities, don't you have an expectation of being protected in the event that person's lack of anger management turns violent?

Have you seen all the obscenities that they allow on TV now? I am not against obscenities, as I tend to spout them off from time to time myself, but I do think people need some sort of realization of when is a good time to use them and when is a bad time to use them... maybe some good ol' common sense is needed! LOL!

Exactly! Siding with the person causing the disorderly conduct makes no sense. Stating that the person causing the disturbance has more rights than the person to whom the diatribe was hurled makes no sense. (except, of course, when the person causing the disturbance in an infant or toddler - then the only rights are those of the adult who finds it annoying...throw the kid in an escalator - that will teach the parents a lesson).

Also, we need to just understand and cope with the fact that they will never go away and they will only get worse with time. Though, words are just words until you associate a meaning to them - just like money is just paper with ink on it. It isn't money until you put a value to it.

Name calling is a school yard tactic. Most adults grow out of it...at least they know the acceptable boundries.
Name calling seems to satisfy those who can't find more adult ways to handle a difficult situation. For example, being called an old crone only labels me. I am old, thus, by a young person's standard I may be a crone. That label means nothing.
But, if that name calling was associated with screaming obscenities and we were in a public place, then it becomes disorderly conduct.
It isn't the words, it is the setting and the situation.

You keep reading what you want to in my posts instead of what is written Bea.

I could use a VP Mai. Interested? lol

Peter, I think that your much too intelligent (pompous) and complicated (confusing) for us "simple folk" to understand. You make controversy with your opinions then wen peops disagree you back track saying we are unable to understand, mainly coz we dont agree. I still enjoy ur posts though. You are not always wrong.

I like the Virginia Beach take on it. I love the no bad behavior signs. Batavia should have these posted:

"The city's trademark No Bad Behavior sign -- a red circle and slash over cartoon symbols for a curse word -- is everywhere, posted on the street and on buttons worn by clerks in the city's souvenir shops. Other signs list the voluntary "rules of common courtesy," passed by the City Council, that ask visitors to refrain from cursing, sexually explicit behavior or "any behavior which is likely to intimidate, harass or disrupt the peaceful enjoyment of others."

Heres a picture of the sign.

http://www.pbase.com/ctfchallenge/image/38764017

Bea doesn't understand, Gabor. I don't think anyone here is simple folk. Bea doesn't understand that you people have self control even when yelling out obscenities at people and they don't always start yelling threats or get violent.

She thinks I am cruel and inhumane because I want the gene pool to be strengthened and not weakened by people without the ability to raise a child that can act in civil manner or cannot protect that child and teach it the dangers of the world.

She would rather attack me personally than answer my completely valid question about the words used in an insult.

She is also afraid to use my name when saying things that are obviously about me. Most gossipers do this. They huddle with their friends and like minded people and say "Did you hear that SOMEBODY *wink*wink* thinks we should be allowed to yell curse words at each other" Its sad.

I love it Ray. It is sad that you have to remind people to use common courtesy though. The fact is that some people are offended and intimidated by these types of behavior. I know that if my parents came across someone yelling and cursing in the street they wouldn't be able to get out of there fast enough. They would not only be offended, but intimidated.

Bea, no offense, but I was simply making a comment. I was not expecting someone to pick it apart. This is a comment section, not a personal debate section. I am a little surprised that you took what I said and dissected it. Maybe I just shouldn't comment anymore if I am going to get unnecessary feedback.

Now, to partially contradict myself:
You're on, Peter! :)

Hey, anyone going to watch the Michael Jackson Memorial Service?? Im interested to hear peoples opinions on the whole thing. Maybe Howard could do a poll on him, or not... Its on now.

Jackson is a molester and deserves no honor.

Let's compare the lifetime accomplishments of the people Peter bashes on here (such as MJ and President Obama)to Peter's.

MJ's accomplishments include wasting millions of dollars on crap and running up a debt that he will be lucky to have paid with his estate.

Obama's accomplishments included running the nations economy deeper into the crater created by the "give everyone a home" campaign the left pushed upon the banks.

I think its sad that MJ had such a hard time loving himself, always trying to change his appearance. It just goes to show that all the money in the world cant buy you happiness. I do love alot of his heart felt songs. They bring back memories of my youth. As children we would watch The Jackson 5 on Sunday evenings, and alot of other classic Tv programs. Life was so simple then.

People who are members of the The Batavian community shouldn't make an issue of each other. You don't have to agree with each other or even like each other, but when you start arguing about the conduct of each other, nothing productive or useful comes of it.

Yes, mother.

Mr. Owens I disagree. I think that heated debate needs to happen. If peops werent passionate about their beliefs, and forgiveness what good would come from posting ? !
...and further more Mr. owens, I think ur conduct has been less than appropriate ! (teehee).

Howard could silence all of this jabber with a key stroke. I wouldn't be picking on Howard, even in jest.

Oh no, whatever would I do?

Andrew, you would post on some other right wing blog and troll the Daily Kos, just like I do while representing the liberal faction.
What is weird about this whole discussion is that it seems to stem from people randomly standing on street corners shouting profanity. When I'm downtown in Austin it is a rare thing to witness something like that and usually involves mental illness and crack cocaine consumption. What the heck is going on in Batavia? Is everyone just stressed out, or what?

so if im talking to somebody outside and i happen to use profanity or happen to be in an arguement with somebody outside and it gets heated and swearing occures it means i am mentally ill and on crack. i had no idea i had these problems i should get some help before its too late and i litter (which prolly means im doing heroin too).........

its only words people. if somebody tells you to go piss off they prolly want you to mind your own businees it doesnt mean there a violent drug addict thats going to mug and kill you.

Here in Batavialand everytime someone gets arrested an Angel gets their wings......

Let us not forget, we are just a handful of people, in a city of thousands of opinions