http://www.freep.com/news/mich/cuss2_20020402.htm

The Michigan Appeals Court has overturned the conviction of Timothy Boomer
under a law that bans cussing in front of women and children, ruling the law
unconstitutional.  This is the "cussing canoeist" case that got national
attention a while back.  The court unanimously ruled it was concerned about
how jurisdictions would enforce it, saying "allowing prosecution where one
utters 'insulting' language could possibly subject a vast percentage of the
populace to a misdemeanor conviction."

Arenac Assistant Prosecutor Richard Vollbach seems to be bent on appealing
the ruling; he's quoted as saying "I think most people felt this was a good,
valid law."  (I guess he's not big on that whole 'constitutionality' thing
when he feels "most people" agree with him.)

There's also an ACLU press release here:
http://www.aclu.org/news/2002/n040102b.html

28 responses total.

Phew.

i'm really happy for that motherfucking cocksucker!

Damn straight. Now maybe we can also get rid of that fucking law that says
we can't goddamn refer to Jesus or God in vain. (I kid you not, that's a law
in Michigan.)

You know what you've gotta do.

Which is what? Convince a cop to arrest me?

You got it. The  ACLU will support you.

*ponders following cops around muttering "Jesus Christ God Almighty!"*

You may have to remind them what they are supposed to do. Say, like
kicking one in the shin.

That would test the wrong law.

#8> I could keep printouts of the law handy. I could walk to a police officer,
hand them the code, and say, "Good afternoon, kind officer. Jesus Christ, it's
a nice day, isn't it?"

I will gladly donate some money towards brighn's living expenses if he decides
to blaspheme at the police on a full-time basis.  

Heh. I sense taht #10 would more likely end me up with a trip to the funny
farm.

resp #7: My personal favorite "blasphemy" is "Jesus H. Motherfucking 
Christ".  Blasphemy is in qoutes since he's not my god I am not taking 
the name of god in vain.

        Or, in an Arianist Christian context, you're just taking the name of
a particularly good rabbi in vain, which is kosher.  I think it's only "YHVH"
that was supposed to be sacred, and therefore "Jehovah" and "Jah" would be
desecrations, but not "Goddamnit".

*beans jazz with a stone*

        Why?  Just because I said "this bread is fit for Jehovah"?

*beans jazz with a stone*

A little joke along these lines.

A Quaker and 3 Jews were touring Italy following WWII.  As they drove, 
they chanced on a once beautiful cathedral that had been utterly 
demolished in the bombing.

As one the Jews all exclaimed, "Jesus Christ!"  At the same time, the 
Quaker shouted, "Holy Moses!"

Umm... if it was utterly domolished, how could they tell that it was A) 
once beautiful (and thus worth exclaiming over) or B) a cathedral (and 
thus worth exclaiming over)?

Divine inspiration.

heh.

Well, maybe not UTTERLY demolished, but how 'bout badly damaged?

Anyways it was supposed to be funny.

What IS this, anyway, pick on Julie day?

I was picking on the joke, dear, not you.

okay

this result was unexpectded?   surely yu jest.

That's why we love you John.  :)

re #26: I'm not sure what you're referencing, TS, but you should note that
        this law was upheld by the federal courts a couple of decades ago.
        So there would be some cause to be surprised by the present state
        court ruling.

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