They're just words.

I was shattered cel, I was only reading some of your points. Therefore if you were being ironic or sarcastic I wouldn't have read it, if I had it would have gone right over my head.

I understand now, you were trying to offend me to prove a point of words being capable of offending. I wouldnt say I was offended, more confussed. As for earthchick, if you said "F*** You! Why don't you go F*** yourself!" to me, I very much doubt I would take offense. Swear words don't bother me in the least. I get told off much worse then that EVERY day of my life besides sunday because it comes with my job. No one likes telemarketers you see. If you were to call me a stupid-newfie-bastard child, then I may take offense because you are pointing out some truths in a negative connotation, which is something people don't like.

If I find something offensive, I personally will look the other way. I believe people still have a right to free speech, whether I like what's being said or not.

Those poor buddhist...

So why don't you believe in private property rights?

It’s a sad state of affairs when you get kicked off a plane because of your Tee shirt!

What next?

Airhostess: “I’m sorry madam but your hair cut is offending the bold man in the seat across from you, because you have more hair than him. I’m gonna have to ask you to wear a hat for the duration of the flight!”

If you had read my posts you would see a continuous point I was making about the swatstika being linked to the Nazis. I also assumed, silly me, that we weren't talking about Buddhists, especially since there aren't a great number of Buddhists in the USA or the UK...
Silly me...

Just a little history.

There is a great debate as to what the swastika means now. For 3,000 years, the swastika meant life and good luck. But because of the Nazis, it has also taken on a meaning of death and hate.
The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been used for over 3,000 years. (That even predates the ancient Egyptian symbol, the Ankh!) Artefacts such as pottery and coins from ancient Troy show that the swastika was a commonly used symbol as far back as 1000 BCE.
During the following thousand years, the image of the swastika was used by many cultures around the world, including in China, Japan, India, and southern Europe. By the Middle Ages, the swastika was a well known, if not commonly used, symbol but was called by many different names:
• China - wan
• England - fylfot
• Germany - Hakenkreuz
• Greece - tetraskelion and gammadion
• India - swastika

Taken from The History of the Swastika

I'm pretty sure the old rule of thumb "we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone" applies to airlines.

wow... the 'heat' in here over the 'heat' from a shirt.

perhaps this says more about the state of the states than anything else?

i used to have a shirt that said 'f--- la mode' and nobody ever thought twice of it. indeed there are better things to worry about than basic political statements. (i always liked the shirt with the 2 bushes on it that said 'dumb and dumber')

Perhaps, but does Southwest Airlines have their guidelines/rules posted somewhere? I doubt if they do. Cause I'm sure if they said, "No offensive t-shirts, reading material, language, etc." they'd probably set themselves up for lots of law suits. So they leave it to the desgression of the staff/other passengers? If that's the case, then they better start "sorting" their flights not only by destination, but preferences.

"Yes, I'd like a ticket to Los Angeles," a customer requests of his/her travel agent.

"Will that be offensive or non-offensive?", the travel agent asks.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, here, fill out this 3 page questionaire & then we'll see about getting you a flight, K?"

40nrockinon

This is off topic but I godda say it annyway...That is the best avatar I've ever seen hyperactive, where did you get it?

Because Bush is a comeplete and utter idiot. Need I say more?

I agree with you 100%! I have been know to use profanity myself, but at the appropriate time and place (who hasent stubbed a toe or smashed a finger with a hammer to be followed with an obscene word), but not infront of people who I have no clue if their feelings about profanity are the same as mine.
Here is the deal, It's just plain disrespectful. Why do you think that you get in trouble for it when you are in school or at work? Because it is disrespectful and will (not might) offend someone.
Here is a tip for you single guys out there... try NOT swearing in front of a lady. You'd have to be pretty boring not to get another date then. Try making friends with people with out swearing. It works.
While it is our free speech right at stake here, so is the right to be respected as human beings. And also goes our right to raise a family in a wholesome way. So you say dont look at it? try telling that to a child. Yes, he is going to hear it someday, but geeze, let the kids have their innocence, it doesnt last long enough these days

One more thing...
Lots of places have dress codes... clubs, malls, resturaunts.... It doesnt have to be posted very big, but they do it for a reason. I dont know who else out there is old enough to remember....Do you remember when the Mall of America opened? There was a big uproar over that too. People eventually realized that the majority was FOR the dress code. So the people that own these shirts (and what ever else was listed) dont wear them to the mall. No big deal. If you do, you get kicked out. Same as on the airplane....

I dont care what society deems acceptable years from now, but I can tell you this... if my kids (dont have any yet but trying!) bring home a boyfriend or girlfriend that is pierced, or has funky color hair, that is fine. But let them try to bring home the one wearing or saying the offensive words and I will not give my blessing! My kids will not be involved with someone who wont respect them.