Quote:
Originally posted by irateplatypus
if you recognize that free speech is limited by standards of public decency, then this is simply an enforcement of those standards. the protester wasn't denied speaking his message, he was denied because he was using a method that was deemed offensive within the context of a public demonstration. if you allow for measures of enforced decency, then platteville has the authority to deny this man this way of delivering his message.
if you do not recognize that free speech has limits according to decency, then the logical extention of your argument is that all things are appropriate at all times. don't say that the most extreme cases (such as... a pornography shop next door to an elementary school) aren't applicable, because if you do you are enforcing your standards of what is publicly acceptable on someone who chooses to go farther than you would (just as this man is choosing to go farther than the platteville police would like).
so, you're forced to either accept that the police were within their right to take his sign down... or you maintain that all speech is appropriate everywhere.
if choose to not accept the first while denying the second, then you're effectively putting your measure of what is acceptable over everyone elses... something you're displaying as something negative about the situation you cited.
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My god, I can only imagine the poor grocers in jail in that city for carrying "Make 7 UP YOURS" signs in their stores. WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN.
"Community standards" is a slippery slope. Personally, I choose to err on the side of free speech, but I do agree that free speech has limits. For example, I'm all for mandatory internet filtering in libraries and schools (with the option for adults to turn it off). I'm hoping my daughter doesn't get goatse'd until she is a teenager.
And let's not forget FCUK
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/fcuk.asp
with stores in malls with slogans like "fcuk at home", "fcuk in bed", and "fcuk him". They even have a children's line!
If the city enforces standards uniformly, fine, but if they are arresting this guy for a "F U G W" sign, and they aren't arresting Target for "FCUK" shirts, then they are stifling political speech under the guise of community standards.