There's something to be said for America's archaic ordinances prohibiting cursing in public.
No, not lame oaths employing damn, darn and drat. But remarks employing f--k, s--t and s---w you.
Such laws are usually struck down as violations of free-speech protection.
One such case of public vulgarity in Minnesota that drew a criminal citation is likely to be declared constitutionally protected--even though the obscene words could be heard by police and neighbors shouted from a public sidewalk a block away at midnight.
Police now usually try to avoid the legal challenge by charging potty mouths with disturbing the peace or being public nuisances.
Even then, the miscreants still often successfully invoke their right to speak freely in places such as parks, playgrounds and other public venues frequented by children, families, strollers, picnickers and others engaged in the pursuit of unblemished happiness.
Serenity is hard to maintain when increasing numbers of language-challenged idiots can't speak without four-letter words. (15 NOVEMBER 2009)
