Is profanity covered under freedom of speech?

The First Amendment is applied selectively nowadays. That man should have been protected by it. In some states he would be prosecuted and some he wouldn't--like California. In some states you can use racial slurs without consequences and in others you're prosecuted for a hate crime. Here in Ohio, we have religious billboards and billboards that state the harm abortion does to women. In Arizona those would not be tolerated and the ones putting them up would be sued. Your protection under the First Amendment seems to depends on where you are. On the Pacific Coast the KKK can march but here in the Midwest they would not get a permit--in my small city they could not get a permit because of the danger to public safety posed by their hateful rhetoric. I guess it depends on where you live.

To be honest it just sounds like Milwaukee is desperate for money. That's the way it sounds to me atleast as $500.00 is an outrage and the charge is too. I don't feel like anyone who was just cursing should be fined, now if he constnatly did it and it provoked an argument, MAYBE.

depends on where you live-some states have blue laws about swearing that pre date the constitution.i know mine does. but,yea unless they're flying the really bad ones nonstop,they should get a warning to shut up.could have been his volume too.

I think Freedom of speech is a crutch for just not being considerate and decent. Foul language does nothing to enhance the conversation, does nothing to better the translation, does nothing to get the point across...so why use it? Because it sparks attention and that is what people want and are trying to get. Take out all the cussing and what they are saying might not be heard by many, but if they make a scene..more will at least stop and look at them. There is so much foul language on tv these days I turn it off. What about my freedom of speech to have clean speech and not have to listen to the cussing? No one ever mentions that! I think fining for foul language in a court room is totally fine. There needs to be respect and orderlyness and everyone just cussing at each other is not going to make things go well or smoothly and it will just start court room fights. What ever happened to respect and consideration....

The thing about this that I think is very odd about this is the fact that what you think of as being a profanity might not be the same thing that I would consider to be a profanity. Therefore, I can see where there are certain words that really aren't appropriate to be used in public, but if you are going to punish someone for using those words in public, the punishment should not be any more harsh than the punishment for not wearing a seatbelt.

i was at a ball game and cussed a ref for constant bad call and a cop told me to leave or i would get a ticket. i just happened to be sitting by a prominate attorney here and he step in and gave the officers a chewing about free speech and although it is not incouraged to do it sometimes you still do. our constitution covers that right. and last year an amendment was aadded to cover what is written because it is a form of speech and thought. so the attorney said anyway.

3snugglesbunnies oh there are so many other words to show you are upset why do people have to curse, specially taking the Lord 'name iun vain. I really think its wrong but the amount 50 dollars ought to be enuough.Freedom of speech may not mind damn or darn but the f work and the horrible taking of God';s name is morally wrong.I really do not think profanity is a right of speeecn so guess i am a party pooper.

Really? $500? That's way too much. I mean, if it's here people wouldn't care about it. You're right, it's normal to sometimes hear bad words. Are all the passengers there below ten years old? Coz if they are then the punishment is just right. If they're not, what they did to the guy is crazy and way over the line.

Although I am no saint by no means, I certainly cannot stand when people have the need to use profanity in their lingo. I have a brother in-law who speaks loudly and each and every other word is a swear word. I feel he specifically does this to draw attention and thinks it is funny. It certainly does not help that others find him funny either. As for me I am embarrassed to be standing anywhere near him each and every time he opens his mouth. I feel some people should really take note as to how they speak as it really does say a great deal about who they are. As my brother in-law is show-off, clown and silly all in one.