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 seriously? on January 23, 2009 at 11:11 am

You know what they say about South Carolina -- go on vacation, leave on probation. It is really unfortunate that in this historical time where we are realizing what is REALLY important that South Carolina is trying so hard to show how backwards they are. There is something wrong with a state government trying to find the easiest way to punish people - perhaps their fundamentalism belongs somewhere like the Middle East.

Flag Comment Posted by Elfdelite on January 23, 2009 at 11:09 am

Aside from the stupidity of this bill, won't there be a heavy cost on already overstretched government budgets when they have to defend it from the inevitable lawsuits? I live in Mormon run Utah and even we don't have stupid things like this up for debate.

Flag Comment Posted by rttech82 on January 23, 2009 at 11:07 am

Wow, sounds to me like Ford has WAY too much spare time on his hands! RT www.privacy-tools.net.tc

Flag Comment Posted by pja720 on January 15, 2009 at 2:25 pm

Yes, there are many more important things to worry about -- like, maybe, how to spell, how to speak clearly, how to debate, how to learn, how to teach my own children, how to be civilized, etc.

Flag Comment Posted by LRB on January 15, 2009 at 12:34 pm

Will Robert Ford is doing it again there are bigger more important thing to worry about. WAY DOSE THIS MAN KEEP GETTING RELECTED. WE NEED JOBS!!!!!

Flag Comment Posted by LDM75 on January 14, 2009 at 8:11 am

Nice to know he's taking care of his constituents. What a waste of money, time and effort. How do we continue to elect this guy?

Flag Comment Posted by AvasMommy03 on January 13, 2009 at 11:24 pm

Geez, aren't there more important things to worry about in this state?

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Sen. Robert Ford pushes to outlaw profanity

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