Sen. Robert Ford pushes to outlaw profanity

By Larry Collins | Reporter
Published: January 25, 2009
Updated: January 25, 2009

State Senator Robert Ford is hoping to outlaw lewd language and is pushing for a bill that would prohibit profanity.

Under the pre-filed bill, profanity could land you in jail for up to 5 years and/or cost you up to $5,000 in fines.

Which words are exactly considered profane is still unclear, but the bill does have a list of qualifications for profanity including words or actions that are lewd, vulgar or indecent in nature.

We spoke to Debra Gammons with the Charleston School of Law about freedom of speech.

She reminds that the First Amendment is not absolute. You cannot say whatever you want whenever you want to.

Courts will usually look at where the words were said and who heard them. Children are usually protected.

Ford said he may run for governor in 2010.

You can read the bill for yourself at http://www.scstatehouse.gov/cgi-bin/query.exe?first=DOC&querytext=profanity&category=Legislation&session=118&conid=4356264&result_pos=0&keyval=1180056 .

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Flag Comment Posted by cfcamerica on January 23, 2009 at 6:42 pm

All Americans are losing their rights, daily, at the hands of ignorant politicians eager to make a name for themselves. I agree that foul language is not good to hear, and my kids do not need to hear it, but America, land of the free does not need to have a law against it... Send a person to Prison for swearing! OMG, this guy needs to be put in prison for being a retard... Dos this state allow this person to drive, on the road, public roads? Glad I do not live near him... he would hear a lot of choice swear words for even thinking about doing this out loud... http://www.cfcamerica.org

Flag Comment Posted by gswetsky on January 23, 2009 at 3:52 pm

Folks, your tax dollars at work!

Flag Comment Posted by BigRichie on January 23, 2009 at 3:33 pm

If these are the sort of policies Ford wants I'm not surprised he hears a lot of profanity. Most of it directed at him.

Flag Comment Posted by JungleCat on January 23, 2009 at 2:34 pm

Something like that, yeah. I mean, obviously, we can't yell "FIRE!" in a crowded movie theater because people could die. But no F-word? Perhaps it could also be called the "Don't offend my sensibilities or I'll charge you with the equivalent of manslaughter" law.

Flag Comment Posted by mxdkwl on January 23, 2009 at 1:58 pm

They should call this the "Sticks and Stones Can Break My Bones But Words Will Never Hurt Me Because You're Now Rotting In Jail For A Pointless and Nonexistent offense" Bill.

Flag Comment Posted by redneckjon on January 23, 2009 at 12:56 pm

I think he is right. i just hope they dont ban the practice of South Carolina religious hillbillies sleeping with their cousins

Flag Comment Posted by JungleCat on January 23, 2009 at 12:39 pm

I may be wrong, but aren't there rules against making something illegal based solely on its contents rather than its effects? Also, I'm curious how various other crimes can be considered misdemeanors, whereas "saying naughty words" can be a felony with up to 5 years imprisonment. "Naughty words" are also widely open to interpretation.

Flag Comment Posted by cuzzinjim on January 23, 2009 at 12:27 pm

HAHAHAHAHAHA! This is ludicrous. This man should be nowhere near politics if this is what he's wasting time on, paid for by taxpayers. BEYOND ridiculous.

Flag Comment Posted by newuser on January 23, 2009 at 11:56 am

This is crazy

Flag Comment Posted by Iphtashu Fitz on January 23, 2009 at 11:27 am

So would this law apply to just people speaking in public, or would it apply to books, magazines, tv, radio, etc? If it does then I guess South Carolina will have to simply stop carrying magazines like Playboy, many books including everything from fiction to history to biographies, any move above a 'G' rating, cable TV like HBO, Cinemax, etc. and the list goes on.

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Sen. Robert Ford pushes to outlaw profanity

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