Any Laws Pertaining To Foul/Personalized Shirts?

[Abraham]

At HEB last week, I saw a grown man wearing a shirt with a really foul message and language.

I wonder if there's any laws pertaining to such?

[TxRVer]

At HEB last week, I saw a grown man wearing a shirt with a really foul message and language.

I wonder if there's any laws pertaining to such?

First the disclaimer, IANAL, but I remember reading about a woman that was arrested in Wally World for using foul language. I would think the same would apply to a shirt. But, that's just an opinion.

[MoJo]

I doubt it. I've seen quite a number of shirts that are in extremely poor taste and some that are downright offensive (to me.) The First Amendment protects that form of expression too. I don't like the shirts with vulgar, obscene, or offensive (to me) messages. If T shirts with offensive messages are banned the next thing you know, all T shirts with messages will be banned. This would make religious, political, topical, and humorous T shirts illegal.

[Keith B]

You can be charged with Disorderly Conduct under TPC 42.01 as it can be considered an offensive http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... /PE.42.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The big question will be how far over the line it goes to be deemed offensive to the extent it violates the PC.

[Abraham]

Keith B,

In this instance, the message was obscene and grossly sexual in nature.

Clothing emblazoned with messages in poor taste is one category, obscene is quite another. Had my very literate Grand Daughters been with me, I may have called the police and asked them if anything could be done. I was alone and in a hurry to get home with frozen food.

I was leaving the store as he was entering. I couldn't believe what I saw. I'm no shrinking violet or goody two shoes, but the message on his shirt was waaaay over the top.

I'm sure he's in great need of attention and will do in excess to achieve it, but this...?

UGH!

[USA1]

personally , i think the idiots who wear these extremely offensive shirts are just wanting attention .
i don't care what they choose to wear , just don't wear it to places where i have to see it .

how is a parent going to explain to their young child who sees the f bomb on a t-shirt

[Keith B]

Keith B,

In this instance, the message was obscene and grossly sexual in nature.

Clothing emblazoned with messages in poor taste is one category, obscene is quite another. Had my very literate Grand Daughters been with me, I may have called the police and asked them if anything could be done. I was alone and in a hurry to get home with frozen food.

I was leaving the store as he was entering. I couldn't believe what I saw. I'm no shrinking violet or goody two shoes, but the message on his shirt was waaaay over the top.

I'm sure he's in great need of attention and will do in excess to achieve it, but this...?

UGH!

These are ones I will ask for the store manager and at least tell them it is that person or me as customers. Let the store run them out or call the police. If they won't do anything, and I have time, then I will do as you mentioned and call the police and then the Corporate offices.

[MoJo]

I think this line from the PC just about sums it up: "the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;" Is the person wearing the shirt is trying to stir the pot or, are they just idiots that don't have a clue.

A popular RTKBA slogan could be interpreted in this manner. "You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead fingers." In certain circles, this could be interpreted as "the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;" Think about it. Sometimes just letting it go is the best policy.

There are too many laws that common sense would make unnecessary.

Oh, excuse me - - - common sense is very uncommon in this day and age.

[Abraham]

MoJo,

Certainly, "at times letting it go..." is the best policy.

Not in this case.

Not, where in effect, I have to leave the store am I going to let it go. There comes a point where letting it go is tantamount to a certain kind of immoral anarchy...

The public and their sensibilities are blatantely disregarded according to this credo - the lowest gutter type denominator gets free reign.

Unless people object, it'll only get worse.

[nitrogen]

People in this country get way too offended, especially under a guarantee of free speech.

Just sayin'...

[The Annoyed Man]

Sometimes, the gesture (on the part of the offender) is its own reward. That this fool wore a grossly offensive t-shirt condemns him to being shunned by decent people, and befriended by morons. The impact those two things will have on his life seem like an equitable penalty for being an idiot. Stupidity should hurt.

That said, the "10 year old daughter" rule ALWAYS applies, and if there are young children present, the somebody needs to step up and say something. I probably would have done so. If I can have no right to not be offended by the objectionable, then the moron in question has no right to not be offended by being called on it. If he doesn't care about the impact of his actions on others, then he has no right to protest the impact others will have on him.

And, at the very worst, if your young child is confronted by the idiot's obscenities, it can be a teachable moment for your child, even if it isn't for the offender.

In another thread on a different topic, longtooth said:

Let men do what real men do in times of trouble.

That seems to apply here. Abraham, I understand that you were in a hurry to leave that store for legitimate reasons and so I don't offer this as any kind of criticism of you, but I trust that in other circumstances you would have done what real men do in times of trouble, and you would have stood up to this moron in the name of decency and said something to him about the appropriateness of his t-shirt. Some people just don't have a clue, and a timely word from someone wiser just might give them a nudge in the right direction. If not, then at least you have the satisfaction of knowing that you stood up for what's right.

[Keith B]

....That said, the "10 year old daughter" rule ALWAYS applies, and if there are young children present, the somebody needs to step up and say something...

They say there is a time and place for everything, but if it is the wrong time or place, then it needs to be dealt with. Public displays of obscene or pornographic material cross the line. While it may be their right to wear it in some places, we in turn have the right not be exposed to them in a common area and should call their hand.

[MoJo]

A law is not the answer. Education is. God Himself gave us Ten laws that are broken everyday. If God's law is ignored what makes anyone think man's laws will be?

If it is that important to you, confront the offender and tell him/her you are offended by what's on the shirt. Be prepared for whatever this may precipitate up to and including deadly force. Is it worth it?

[nitrogen]

Then what do we do when a majority others think that speaking about guns or God is something THEY don't want THEIR 10 year old daughters to hear? That almost happened and could happen again.

Thats' why we have freedom of speech, to protect ALL speech. We never know when our speech might become unpopular or "offensive".

Thats why I'll always stick up for any idiot's right to be an idiot, no matter how offensive it might be to me personally, and why you should, too.

[joe817]

If I were placed in that situation, I would at least go to a floor supervisor of the department store, tell him of the offensive person, and inform her/him, that if that is acceptable in that store, I am taking my business elsewhere, never to be seen again. Of course they have no control of who walks into their store. But they can sure see to it that the person is escorted out of the store by store security, mall security, or even perhaps a LEO.

My 2 cents worth.