RENO
Oregon woman kicked off flight in Reno over offensive shirt

A Portland woman's flight home was stopped short in Reno, all because the message on the T-shirt she was wearing.

Lorrie Heasley claims it's a freedom of speech privilege, but airline officials say the message brings safety concerns.

Heasley, "There are bigger problems in the country, I can't believe people can be so petty."

Heasley boarded her flight Tuesday morning in Los Angeles, headed for Portland, Oregon with a stopover in Reno. But when Southwest Airlines employees asked her to cover her shirt, her stop over became a stop off her flight.

"I was told that basically that I had to cover my shirt, or I was told if I cover the shirt I can basically stay on the plane."

So she covered the shirt, but during a nap while passengers were boarding in Reno the cover came off. And Southwest employees insisted, change the shirt, or change flights. "I didn't feel that I should have to change my shirt, because we live in the United States, and it's freedom of speech and it was based on the move "The Fockers", and I didn't think it should have offended anyone."

But it did.

The shirt had pictures of members of the Bush Administration, and a phrase based on the movie "Meet the Fockers," but with one crucial vowel changed.

It was enough to cause complaints from other passengers and it's a problem the airline has had to deal with before.

Beth Harbin, Southwest Airlines, "We do get it occasionally. What someone is wearing, what someone is reading, what someone might be saying and it's very much a judgment call. But when other customers become concerned we do have to become involved in that and see what we can do to make everyone as comfortable as we can."

And while Southwest may have kept the peace on it's afternoon hop to Portland, a woman, not afraid to use her freedom of speech will now be using her freedom of choice.

"I most likely wont be flying Southwest Airlines again after this."

Southwest Airlines told Heasley she could take a different flight home if she changed her shirt. She refused and opted to rent a car and drive home.

http://www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3939788&nav=8faO

I'm sorry, but even if I don't agree with her shirt, I do agree to her right to wear it. I have some shirts I'm sure that people would find offensive. I still wear them in public, just not to work.

I think that the company should have better things to do with their time. Maybe making sure that their planes are safe, perhaps? Maybe bettering their customer service? To me it's a bunch of cr@p over a stupid thing no one will remember in a few weeks!! Southwest Airlines, give me a break!!!

So, if ever I need to fly, it won't be with Southwest!!

40nrockinon

exactly. while the shirt may have been offensive to some, she DOES have the right to wear what she pleases in public (i do believe that would be part of free speech)

i want that shirt, though

Did you note how that the spokesperson said you could be booted for what you are reading as well??

Sorry, I'm a 40 year old American. I can read what I freakin' want to!!! You have no right to judge what I read. Cause frankly, I find those romantic novels highly offensive!!! I find them to be the absolute lowest form of literature. If you can even call them that, but I can't count how many I've seen being read on flights.

40

The people who complained and forced her off the plane are ridiculous idiots.

The woman who put the shirt on is a ridiculous idiot.

People can wear whatever they like, yes, that's true. But WHY do people feel the need to wear something that could be so offensive to so many in a place with kids and who knows who?

People just don't have a common sense of decency anymore.

thats outragous, so what if you don't like what people are wearing, you mind your own business instead of tutting and shaking your head at, just because you don't agree with it. those people are serious f**ktards...

ridiculous really...

well, why not. what business of yours is it what other people decide to wear. its not like you're wearing it, so why take someones freedom away because you find it offensive. if you find it offensive, don't read what the shirts say and forget about doing the 'tut tut' and 'shaking your head at' because its nothing to do with you at all. other people may agree with whatever it says on the back of someones t-shirt or whatever, and just because you don't agree with it, it has to be instantly taken off, just to pleasure your ego and authority. well your authority has no place on anyone else unless you earn it.

so if you don't like what someones wearing, reading, eating. take no notice because its nothing to do with you, its what that individual wanted to wear, and they aren't going to ask around to see if its ok to wear because you dont like it.

you're not in charge of anyone but yourself. get used to it.

Wow . . .

I could see the issue of decency and common sense, but we do have the right of Free Speech and the Freedom of Choice. I'm not a big fan of the Bush Administration, but I wouldn't want my kids to see that sort of message. It's a bad influence, besides there are others ways to express yourself and your feelings without using profanities.

I bet the peopel who kicked her off the train were shirts like that all the time.


I want the shirt, BADLY

Wow. You failed to read my first line there, or get the drift of what I was saying.

Of COURSE people can wear whatever they want. Of COURSE they shouldn't be kicked off airplanes for it.

What I was wondering was this: WHY on EARTH would someone feel the need to wear a shirt like that in a public place (wear it to an Anti-Bush rally - yeah!). The only reason to wear a shirt like that is for shock value, and I find it SAD that the woman needs that kind of attention. Wearing something that is potentially SO offensive to people is inconsiderate and rude.

To me, its not a matter of the public trying to dictate what people wear. That is an obvious "No" for me. The issue is people's lack of propriety. I wouldn't wear my t-shirt with the skeletons doing 'adult' things to a church out of respect for others.

See what I mean?

^

oh, I apolagize. sorry I didn't get your drift, I understand you now. n_n

bad choice of clothes on her part but its a disgrace that she was kicked off the plane for this. Our freedom's are slowy being taken away and most people dont even realize it. If I were her I would review all the disclosure agreements from the plane tickets and if didnt say anything about any dress codes or anything similiar I would be speaking to a lawyer...

I agree with purplos that a grown man/women should have better judgement then to wear this in the presence of children but just becuase a shirt says the f* word shouldnt be enough for her having to be removed.. how many people dont use cuss words in front of children the crap on tv, in the movies, in music for us to act like us or our children our so inoccent to have never heard that word before is ridiculous..

I would like to burn said shirt, but as an american it's her right to be able to wear it, so I vote in favor of the old f**k.

Blah! She has every right to wear that shirt.

Hopefully she will sue the airline and give them a little bit of hell.

^lol, another waste of time for your nations legal system but I guess lawsuites such as one like this if it does actually occur is something we will never be rid of as people just love to make money. Although I do agree with many here who believe she shouldn`t have been kicked off the plane.

Nosy easily offended punks. Waaaa! Someone's wearing a shirt I don't like!


That's right. It's your business and you can tell people to leave if you want, IMO. If they don't like it, they don't have to fly your airline.


And that's market forces at work. If people are unhappy with Southwest's policies, then don't fly Southwwest and put them out of business for being punks...


So they're both right, and their both wrong. Freedom of speech should be self-tempered with common sense for the general public. I don't want my 6 year old reading that shirt cramped on a plane with this stupid lady. The Airline Should be able to do what it did. The airline maybe shouldn't have done it, judgement call. The Market Should decide if it's acceptable to the people that use the product. The govt. Should NOT subsidise the industry. The lady Should Expect to be treated this way, go yell fire in a crowded theatre, go stand in front of the public library and shout "F*ck! F*ck!" over and over and over all day and see what happens. Freedom of speech doesn't mean stupid isn't stupid and should be considered smart instead...

I thought about this last night. And in talking with my hubby...I'm sure that there are t-shirts I wear that may be offensive to others. No, they do not have foul language or gestures on them.

What if someone was offended by a rock t-shirt I may wear? Like I have a Disturbed t-shirt that has a picture of the whole band on it. As many of you know the lead singer has a lot of piercings & I have gotten rude comments for wearing their t-shirt. I also have gotten rude remarks for my Rob Zombie shirts...again no foul words or gestures.

Excuse me??? I don't have the piercings. I just like the band(s)/singer(s)! You don't see me getting offended at someone for wearing a t-shirt that might have a country & western singer/group on it.

Also to be offended by what someone reads...that goes to an extreme in my book. Yes, I could see if you were reading say "Hustler" on a flight, but what if someone is offended by my true crime book? Hey, jerk! I read them to maybe get a small understanding of human nature & lack there of.

I totally agree with sanchera1978. Our freedoms are slowly (and sneakily) being taken away. Sure there is a thing about decency & making a conscious decision about how you present yourself to the world, but when does it cross the line & become something that tramples our own personal rights? When the rights of others become more important than mine? I'm afraid that the scales may soon become severely outta balance!

If this acceptable for an airline to say what can & can't be worn on their planes...where does it stop? I can see if it was on the job or in school. But when you are traveling & maybe on vacation???

40nrockinon (Lovin' my "offensive" t-shirts all the more!!!)

personally...if I was told to remove a shirt I was wearing due to what it said...

I would, infront of everyone....remove my shirt...with a big "F-you" and then say they were sexually harrassing me...while I stood there half naked...

Methinks I'm gonna start picking on people who have things on their shirts and say "omg, that offends me" and see how far I get

Those would be the employees following company policy. And you know what that is called: free speach. They had every right to tell her to cover the shirt up or remove it.

This has nothing to do with the suppression of free speach, but with the media playing off sympathy with an idiotic public who doesn't know what free speach means.

this might be a bit off topic, but has anyone ever seen this website?

I think I'm going to do a lot of shopping there from now on...

What a "Classy" lady ... NOT!!!!

Saddens me that there are so many "Trashy" Americans that would wear something like that in public... for children to see...



The morality of Americans is going down hill... and FAST!!

I saw a guy the other day with his MOTHER with a teeshirt that said
F*** You You F***EN F***! I just laughed.
however, as Cher put it I don't give a crap if somone wants to get breast on their back
WHO CARES!! I got bigger fish to fry then worry about other people. Welcome to a place we call the world with different people with different opinions and choice of clothing and the crazy media


Hey! I wanted to make a tee-shirt that said
" What happens in Vegas is noone of your F***ING bussiness"
(got tired of the old saying)
I wanted to wear it on the plane to vegas. Wonder if I would have got kicked off?

There is so much anti-bush propoganda (tees, Mugs, Bumber stickers) out there what was the difference?

Excellent point-will they boot you for reading Stupid White Men because people might complain? No one is required to look at her shirt-they are there to get somewherer in the first place. If others don't like it, they can make their own shirts.

If people on the plane are offended by her enough, why couldnt they have the balls to come up to her and give her their opinion, instead of complaining to the airline staff? Talk about whinging.....

Yeah.. walking up to the lady and telling her she was trash for wearing shirt like that and threatening to kick her ass... ?... Now that would be classy

I think thats crazy..anyone has the right to wear what they want.. I have a couple that I dont wear in public much..

While I really think the T-shirt lady was low on class and consideration for others (as in people with children who may have been on board or in the terminal), I also think anyone who would react to it to such an extent as to get someone kicked off the plane, needs to get a life and try to be a little less anal. Personally, I am disgusted by public displays of the F word, whether on clothing or otherwise......but if I'd been on that plane and had seen that T-shirt, I'd have simply thought (to myself) that it was disgusting, then glanced away and forgot about it. There are far more important things in life to get in a snit about. I hope that the airline at least had the decency to refund the lady's money. She was after all a paying customer.....even if there isn't a separate Class for people with no class.

Hey, Wabbit!!!

This one's good too!!!

http://www.tshirthell.com/

40nrockinon

I would try my best to sue over that!

This is outragous. People need to grow up and get over themselves. Nine out of ten people that complain about things like this are complaining simply because their having a sour day. I think you should be able to be able to wear whatever you want, wherever you want as long as it's not completely insane. Swear words, funny hand gestures, comments regarding politics, etc. are ok. I could see it being offensive if it were a swasticka or burning cross, then, thats obscene. Just because theres a kid who might see the shirt, who cares? If you can raise a child without them seeing or hearing the word "f*ck" than your either the best parent in the world or have them locked in a room with no media influence. Sorry but a swear word is just that, a word. Frankly I cant believe I cant drop the f-bomb on this site. I can't remember the last time I was offended by a word or sentance or image. The closest I've come to being offended was not being aloud to say what I want. If you dont want to hear it, on't listen. If you don't want to see it, don't read it. People can have opinions regarding religion, abortion, drugs and other "tabboo" subjects but can't bear to hear a simple word? What a f*cked up world we live in. Sorry for my rant, but I had to say it.

nothing wrong with a swastica. it's just a plus sign with it's arms broke. What's obscene about that?

Liberal Canadians eat babies and masturbate on their corpses.

What!? Freedom of speech maaan... what's so offensive about woords maaan... don't like it don't reead it... reeally simple...

lets go have sex in front of an elementary school... they're going to learn about it at some point and their stupid parents should show them earlier.

let's f*ing show how f*ing intelligent we f*ing are by f*ing limiting our f*ing vocabulary to some-f*ing-thing a f*ing two f*ing year old can f*ing do. Even f*ing better, let's f*ing make it so it's so f*ing common we all f*ing grow the f- up using the word f- so much it loses any f*ing meaning when f*ing said.

Don't like it, don't read it.

Is it getting through how stupid these arguments are and how much disrespect is shown so other people in a bastardized attempt at defending a corrupt vision of "Free Speech"?

The swasticka can be very offensive, go get a tattoo of one if it's so wholsome. I was merely stateing its just a word. It shouldn't offend. Your statement on liberal canadians is very sad and you sir, are just being an ass. The elementary school comment wasn't well thought out or smart, and I guess your "maaaan" comment was attacking my fascination with psychoactive substances? Everything I said had to be taken to hell and back for you to make your point? If you haven't noticed I dont limit my vocabulary at all, but I guess rationalty wasn't thought of before you posted. It seems I've struck a nerve in you which has shown a very ugly side. Please go think about us liberal canadains more. I could easily sterotype you but I would degrade myself to such a thing. I was just saying we have the right to wear whatever and a swear word should be the least offensive thing there is.

Anyone who is thoughtless enough to wear a swatstika deseveres anything they get, within reason of course.

oops, did I offend someone? Don't like it, don't read it.

Why is wearing a plus sign with broken arms thoughtless, but a stupid lady with a stupid profainity lauded as a good deed?

Reality just whooshes right over ya'll heads.

Celumnaz, I really didn't expect such naive comments from you.

The Swatstika was not orginally an evil symbol, but now it is. To most Europeans, at least, it represents all of the evil of Hitler and World War 2, and the Holocaust.

It is highly offensive to wear it, especially considering that the wearer will know most people will think that they are a Nazi for it.

To wear it, knowing what it will make people think, is absolutely pathetic. It is so sad I pity the wearer.

It is a symbol of evil now. It should not be worn unless you agree with Nazi ideology, that is what it will be forever linked to.

Edit- I think I understand the point that you were trying to make though- 'It is just a symbol'. Unfortunately it is a symbol that represents something terrible. Nazis and Neo-Nazis still use it to this day.

I think some people just need to get the stick our of their a$$es and just enjoy life instead of worrying about what other people wear and say. The only reason she got booted was becuase it said f Bush.. You cant tell me that out of all the college kids wearing all those crazy new shirts with insulting logos on them dont fly, i have never heard of them getting kicked off a plane for their shirts. The person who complained was probably pro bush and got severly irritated only becuase it was an anti bush shirt This type of behavior reminds me of the old days when if you spoke out against your king you could be put to death for your beliefs. not that extreme yet but I wouldnt be surprised if they made talking negatively about the prez a punishable offense.

Good. Because they're just words, not my beliefs. Just playing devils advocate... in a sense.


But isn't the point of what everyone's saying is "too bad if it offends you"? Free speech? Don't be so easily offended? At some point everyone's going to come in contact with a swastika?

I understand, but it's obvious these "advocates of free speech" do not.


Everything I said in that post is an example of what's said before.


So I said some offensive things to see if we can grow up and get over themselves. From the reply... well... I guess it's do as I say and not as I do.


Probably. And I agree about the person who complained is probably a thin skinned anal retentive prick. But, the use of the F- is for sure the thing that got her kicked. It's not appropriate. If that's appropriate, then so is a swastika and saying Liberal Canadians eat babies and masturbate on their dead bodies. If it had said "I Hate Bush" it probably wouldn't have happened. I would be joining ya'll in the outrage if that's all it was. It's not "clever" it's simply obsene, like the current symbolism of the swastika or the Liberal baby tripe I said before.

If it's ok for a 6 yr. old to be hearing F- all the time, then it's ok for us to have sex across the street from an elementary school, cause you know they're going to encounter sex at some point... why shelter them like a prude?

I think it's called degradation of society. It's not funny, or clever, or positive, it's obscene. Why can't I get an "I agree Cel, F- is an obscene word"?

No no no... it's the thin skinned prude that complained that gets dumped on.

Don't be so easily offended, lol. I am sorry, the swatstika represents evil, facism, ignorance, war and genocide. It should not be worn.

Don't hate the symbol... hate the ones that corrupted it. It's just a plus sign that got broke...

Not anymore it isn't
Hitler and the Nazis took it as their own.

Lets take this track then.


For my point:

Anyone who is thoughtless enought to wear the word F* deserves anything they get, within reason of course.


And she did. And she has no place to complain.

Is this getting through to ya'll at all? Someone said they'd sue if this happened to them.

It's just a word. It's just a broken plus sign. It represents the profane... either one. Why should society accept either one?

Phew!! Good debate all you guy's, you've said it all, I ain't even gonna go there.....No Sirree!

I think it's called degradation of society. It's not funny, or clever, or positive, it's obscene. Why can't I get an "I agree Cel, F- is an obscene word"?

I agree Celumnaz F*ck is an obscene word. Would it have bothered you if the shirt just said "Bush sucks" ? The lady wore it to make a statement she could have had alot better results with either I hate bush or bush sucks without getting booted off the plane.

I understand your grief with the degradation of our society but I think the main reason for that is the crap thats on tv and on the radio more than anything else.

Well using your example should someone wearing or having the tattoo of a swastika on them get kicked off a plane for their beliefs?

I pretty much answered that one in my very first post.




re-reading, it's profound that you can make this statement and not understand what I'm saying:



I've been present several times when someone was asked to change their shirt, remove a hat or some symbol. I'm trying to think if it's ever been in an airport, and I want to say someone was asked to turn their shirt inside-out that had a middle finger... I just can't remember.

Actually i wanted your opinion not what the airline could or couldnt do..

Like you said its their airline they decide what goes. I would hope that since they kicked that lady off their flight they would be kind enough to give her back her money for the cost of the ticket at least.

Celumnaz, I understand perfectly what you are saying and agree with you 1000%.

People with intelligence and decorum would not display something that they know is socially vile in a public place. The woman with the shirt showed her lack of empathy and her tactlessness.

These crimes should not be punishable by ejection from airplanes however.

Ok. My *opinion* is (I'd never dream of legislating my opinion)...
Yes. Anything that contributes to the degradation of society should be ostracized as much as possible. Not legislated, let the market forces do the work, it's up to society to do it, not the government. No violence please. Either conform to society, change it within it's system, or go make your own.

Great. Now I've got to think about this. I may change my mind on that... right now it sounds right and I've got to run.


Thank you Purplos. That's all I ask, not anything more, not even agreeing, just understanding.

While I don't think it is reason enough to kick someone off a plane, I too agree with you 100%.

What it all boils down to is RESPECT for others. It has become a ME society, where everyone feels they should look out only for #1. "I'm not offended by_____, so why should anyone else be?" That attitude displays a total disregard for the thoughts and feelings of others. See, the true purpose of good manners and proper decorum, is to show respect and care for the people around you. I would guess that the numbers of people who are offended by public profanity probably outway those who aren't. What is wrong with considering how the majority feels. It's sort of along the same lines as a smoker causing a non-smoker to have to breathe in second-hand smoke. It is rude and insensitive to the other person's wishes. Some people don't care to hear or see profanity, so why should they have to be exposed to it against their wishes.

It is less about the WORD than it is about the thoughtlessness and insensitivity. Take the F word for instance. It is not simply "just a word", there is a whole slew of meanings and connotations to that word....none of them nice. None of them meant as a pleasantry. It is at best a snide word....at worst a word filled with rage. Never "just a word".

Edit: fixed typos.

I understand what you were getting at Celumnaz but there is a difference between the swaticka and the word "f*ck". My personal belief is people shouldn't wear such a symbol but I also believe they have the right to wear it, although I wouldn't recomend it. As for me as an "advocate of free speech" as you put it not understanding everyone will come in contact with a swasticka, I do, but I just believe some things are sacred. A burning cross is the same thing, not good in any sense. The word "f*ck" could be offensive but it's meaning is two people engauging in intercourse whilst the swasticka stands for the attrocities the nazi faciasts done to humanity in world war two in many peoples minds that is. Others may see it as just a symbol but, really, it isn't. I understand how your saying "f*ck" is offensive to some the same way, but you have too agree in that theres a big difference in someone not liking a word and someone not liking something that degrades their entire race. The N word is the same, just something thats just made to degrade a group of people and to enspire hate. I would like a further explanation of the liberal canadians comment because I don't see how this fits into your point? And if your just merely playing devil's advocate, explain how this fits in. The statement of "don't like it, don't read it" is still good in my opinion, but there are certain things that just cannot be ignored. The word "f*ck" is such a common word now it's lost it's integrety ands holds litle value, but as you know, the swasticka isn't openly used like a swear word for it's so hurtful to a group of people.

It is a word that debases and demoralizes the sex act........some find that offensive. But it has also come to mean a lot more than that, has far more meanings that what it was originally intended to mean. If I were to say to you F*** You! Why don't you go F*** yourself! !, for instance, I'm sure you would find that quite offensive, and rightly so !