Large signs with obscene language continue to be displayed on East Main Road in Portsmouth. Apparently some citizen with a gripe wants us all to know. His captive audience are commuters on a …
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Large signs with obscene language continue to be displayed on East Main Road in Portsmouth. Apparently some citizen with a gripe wants us all to know. His captive audience are commuters on a state road, folks who — like most of us — keep their issues to themselves.
I don’t know any details of this fray. But it appears that a spoiled child finally grew up, hit a bump, and is now determined to show the world what a grownup tantrum really looks like. And I know I would not drive my small children or grandchildren through Portsmouth without detouring around the F-word placards.
The First Amendment protects speech, but there are “categorical exceptions,” like true threats, libel and obscenity. I wonder how long the people of Portsmouth will allow a private gripe to remain a public nuisance.
Ron Marsh
48 Four Rod Way
Tiverton