St Louis considers banning swear words

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22559988/?GT1=10755

Quote :

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - What the ...? A St. Louis-area town is considering a bill that would ban swearing in bars, along with table-dancing, drinking contests and profane music.

City officials contend the bill is needed to keep rowdy crowds under control because the historic downtown area gets a little too lively on some nights.

City Councilman Richard Veit said he was prompted to propose the bill after complaints about bad bar behavior. He says it will give police some rules to enforce when things get too rowdy.

But some bar owners worry the bill is too vague and restrictive, saying it may be a violation of their civil rights.

Marc Rousseau, who owns the bar R.T. Weilers, said he thinks the bill needs revision.

"We're dealing with adults here once again and I don't think it's the city's job or the government's job to determine what we can and cannot play in our restaurant," Rousseau said.

The proposal would ban indecent, profane or obscene language, songs, entertainment and literature at bars.

A meeting to discuss the proposal is set for Jan. 14

Disturbing the peace no longer a valid charge?

Table-dancing could lead to an injury if someone slips and falls, which is bad for the bar. Drinking contests could lead to puking all over the bar's floor. I can see banning those.

Do they really how much music, especially the kind that could conceivably be played in bars, has swearing in it? I am in shock and disbelief, and would probably stop going places there or just move if this was passed. I probably swear almost every time I'm in a bar, not intentionally but just as a result of the hours of usually casual conversation taking place.