Should People Be Fined for Using Offensive Language? (Brussels Thinks So)

Unless I get the $$$ from being sexually harassed ;oP

Not just no but f*ck no.

Yes.... I have childrens...

Children will learn it from their friends whether it's banned or not. Period.
All you can do as a parent is sit them don't and explain why you'd prefer they didn't swear.

If the government can do this what will stop them from controlling other things you can say and pretty soon you will lose your free speech ! you won't even be able to say anything negative about your government !

Like Russia and China.

Well yes and no actually.
How often does it happen worthy of fining someone for using foul langauge???
But the intent is correct because if people know they could get a fine or penalty for going overboard on the foul language and or mouthing off excessively then there is no doubt that most people will "think first" about what they are about to say and or do.
That and people often enough will remind them about the law and to be carefull about what they say and their verbal behaviour.
Will it stop everyone??...of course not...but examples will be made and there are more than enough verbal altercations occuring in public and witnessed by enough people to lay charges.
I have seen it before when people get out of hand ( alcohol and drugs are commonly involved ) and the police are requested to show up and resolve the altercation as sometimes, some people "lose it" in public.
If anything it could come under the: "disturbing the peace" laws.

On the other hand it will allow all to many people to "cry wolf" when they want to use the law to get back at someone because their feelings were hurt or they are easily offended while law is easily abused.

So ..yes and no.

There is a No Cussing Zone in Virginia Beach, VA.

Not fined ~ Jailed!

So, if this happens in the U.S., you'd be able to curse in a prime time TV show, but fined for it on the street. Yep, that sounds like liberal logic.

We may not like it but it is a form of free speech.

I hate cursing more than aanything, and even i think this is stupid.

its called free speech making them pay is paid speech that's what we are referring too

Sexual harassment is tied into foul language? When did sexual harrassment become the same thing as throwing an F-bomb out around your friends?

Anyway, I think it's pretty obvious that this shouldn't happen in America, but it actually has already:
http://www.ksee24.com/news/lo...

If you don't like swear words and obscenities, don't use them. When you start messing with someones freedom to express themselves in the manner they see fit, you're crossing a line that gives you power someone else's right to free speech. Words are simply words, and it's your parent's job (or yours if you are a parent) to put those words in context and explain that they're inappropriate but sometimes, people do use them. It's not your job or your place to decide that a teenager going through issues with his parents can't let out his frustrations while talking with his friends outside the movie theater, or that a girl who's boyfriend cheated on her can't be upset and call him an a-hole because you think you know what's better for the world. I completely understand getting annoyed with it while your children are out, and I'm sure when I'm a parent I will be too, but I think making obscene language a crime is definitely a step in a direction I want nothing to do with.

They'd have to shut down sodahead. No one can open their mouth, so to speak, without 'offending' somebody on here.
Just what constitutes 'offensive' any way? (An athiest can be offended by some one quoting the Bible, and a prude can be offended if you say sh*t).

Exactly and also the tone or manner you say something. Eg. You are an eejit can be said affectionately and it can also be said in an offensive way.

next thing u know is that they will tell u what to wear and how to act..smh

It called se-lf con-trol.Can you control your self? Many can and many can't and those who can't will be fined. And then and only then they will think twice before let those dirty little words roll out of their mouth.

Saweet!

You can say whatever you damn well please, but keep it clean in public. Why should children be subjected to foul language? If you can’t express yourself in an intelligent, non-offensive manner in public, then shut the hell up.

Said the guy who just got fined 10 credits for a violation of the public decency laws.

When I went to Brussels, about 10 years ago, for the company I worked for, TO BUY DIAMONDS, the people there were borderline a**holes. And some were full blown. We were there 4 days, and were treated everywhere we went like we were lepers. I refused to go back the next year, and instead we bought diamonds from India. The vendors were HAPPY to come to us, and we treated them very well. But the question about them not allowing cursing, is laughable. The way they treat Americans, and it was a consortium of over 75 American buyers who traveled together and ate together, is much more offensive than cursing, IMHO.

Brussels must be a real nice place if this is a pressing social problem.

It is not. See my post.

Only for cursing. Cursing USED to result in a fine.

'Offensive' is now used as a political correct way to remove 1st Amendment free speech.

I'm grown and I will say what I damn please.

I would prefer people be allowed to speak their mind, no matter how offensive it is. It makes it easier for me to judge them as the fool that they are.

Yes, you're G Damn right they should. I don't know where in Hell these Fxxkin people learn to cuss like that.

SO MAMY PEOPLE WOULD BECOME PENNILESS...

Hell no, I'd be fricken broke.

No Way!!

Motherf*cker!

If in front of childern, I thinkwhen your in front of someone else you should use respect not to insult someone elses morals

Not to insult someone else's morals, huh? How far would take that? I may be having a conversation about abortion which would insult someone's morals, without being lewd, crude, or vulgar. Would you criminalise that? You cannot criminalise "insulting morals". Everybody has a different sense of morals, and no matter what you say about something you're bound to offend somebody.

While I think we should try to be respective of others, being fined for something you say(even if it is unpleasant) ??? We are turning into a 3rd WORLD COUNTY.

Who determines what constitutes offensive language? The statement "Mitt Romney for President" will certainly offend President Obama' supporters and vice versa. If we fine everybody, who gets the money?