Inquirer Editorial: Cursing isn't always a crime

Pennsylvania State Police have been vigorous in citing people for cursing in public, so it's good to see that a legal settlement has been reached with free-speech advocates to cut back on the apparently out-of-control practice.

And this issue should strike a chord with Philadelphians, who daily have to contend with what might be called ear pollution.

The settlement seems fair, given that the U.S. Supreme Court has said that cursing is protected speech, providing it's not threatening.

The agreement announced Tuesday provides for better training for officers in dealing with citizens whose verbal responses to an encounter with a cop may not always fall under the please-and-thank-you category.

It's pretty dumb to swear at a police officer under almost any imaginable circumstance.

But at some point, such antics can be said to stray into disorderly conduct - for which there are legitimate penalties.

As for that ear pollution, there's far too much profanity heard in almost any public space - including on buses and subways - in this city, or probably any other.

There's no sign, either, that any of the people expressing themselves in these crude terms have the slightest fear that they'll be scolded - much less ticketed by police.

Since outlawing cussing doesn't work, one must hope that public awareness campaigns - like SEPTA's growing efforts at encouraging better etiquette on its vehicles - will make some dent over time in what has become a profane culture.