2009-2010 Bill 56: Profanity - South Carolina Legislature Online: "SECTION 1. Article 3, Chapter 15, Title 16 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
'Section 16-15-370. (A) It is unlawful for a person in a public forum or place of public accommodation wilfully and knowingly to publish orally or in writing, exhibit, or otherwise make available material containing words, language, or actions of a profane, vulgar, lewd, lascivious, or indecent nature.
(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.'"
I understand that as the world changes, and old social mores have given way to more acceptance of previously inappropriate vernacular, some people want to cling to standards of vocabulary that most no longer follow with an iron death grip. I myself am no fan of using malicious profanity in a public place, largely because of growing up in a small rural area where it was not tolerated. However, when a legislative body considers placing such a severe penalty upon speech that a great portion of society uses daily, it steps over into a realm of oppression rather than protection. There are additional facets of this bill that I can agree with, protecting children from exposure to obscenity, although I am sure these provisions already exist within SC law. However, the above section of law is absolutely out of line with appropriate punishment.
Living so close to South Carolina, I'll be watching this one to see what happens, and I sincerely hope it fails or is changed before a vote is taken. If it does pass, however, I am afraid I will not be able to resist standing at the edge of the state line and shouting "Fuck You, South Carolina" across the border.
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