43 Comments → “Meet the fuckers? Not on Southwest Airlines”

1. 
   

   N. Mallory
   

   Oct 06, 2005

   I’ve seen the shirt, but I would never wear it in public. If we’re going to censor our t.v. and set ratings for movies to protect our children, we should also think about what we’re wearing and saying in public.

   And people wonder where kids learn “cus” words.

   Mind you, my grandmother swears like a sailor and I’m not much better, but I do mind my P’s & Q’s when I’m around children or just in public in general.
2. 
   

   Jason
   

   Oct 06, 2005

   One thing most Americans don’t seem to realize is that the First Amendment prohibition on infringement of freedom of speech applies to the government. It does not apply to private corporations or individuals. If I don’t like what you say in my house, I can most certainly ask you to leave.

   It’s like High School Drama all over again!
   Soooo many asshats use that tired excuse.
   “It’s a free country, I have my freedom of speech, and I’ll say what I want.”

   Don’t ask them to leave, kick their asses off the premises.
3. 
   

   srcastic
   

   Oct 06, 2005

   Though private entities are free to censor, she may have a case on the premise that an airline is a common carrier – thus presence on an airplane is not akin to presence on private property. In the end, one’s offense should not be sufficient to bar another’s political speech if we are to call the US a free society.
4. 
   

   linda porter
   

   Oct 07, 2005

   Thank you Southwest Airlines!! I will be flying Southwest whenever I can. To Ms Heasley:
   Your freedom ends where my nose begins. She is the kind of person who would yell “Fire” in a crowded theater. Let’s just hope she learned a lesson. And is ANYONE surprised that the ACLU is helping and supporting her? We all could have guessed it. And all together now lets take another wild guess………..Jessee Jackson will be defending what she did.
   Linda
5. 
   

   N. Mallory
   

   Oct 07, 2005

   > In the end, one’s offense should not be sufficient to bar another’s political speech if we are to call the US a free society.
6. 
   

   M. Meier
   

   Oct 07, 2005

   I just think you are all a little to sensitive. If this is really the country of freedom (what I learned in school) people shouldn’t care so much what others have on there T- Shirt or wherever (or what i hanging out of there shirt see J.Jackson)… but no, everybody cares and lots of people are outraged… check out “old- europe”… today they are more tolerante than the people in the “new world”. At least I can wear what I whant…
7. 
   

   James Cole
   

   Oct 07, 2005

   She is what she is, “white trash” and my children should not be subjected to her vulgarity. People who call that free speech are the problem in this country. I will travel Southwest whenever I can. Let the “trash” who support Heasley travel on a more permissive airline, that is their freedom of choice.
8. 
   

   Ryan
   

   Oct 08, 2005

   Oh JMFC! It’s a f**king t-shirt!

   If you don’t like it, don’t look at it. I find looking at fat people offensive. That doesn’t mean that I get to stop fat people from going out in public! Spandex is expecially repulsive on fat people, but that doesn’t mean I get to be a fashion Nazi.

   People that thin-skinned should just stay home. There are better reasons to get all upset and pissed-off.
9. 
   

   Bengt Nilsen
   

   Oct 08, 2005

   I do not know. But I would assume that anyone that complies to massmurder in Iraq, would not have any problem about a T-shirt stating what some people take as a joke?
10. 
    

    L Kaatz
    

    Oct 08, 2005

    This is soo funny. This lady first wears a shirt calling the President a F*^% – the in the same breath she talks about how the US is freeing Iraq? (not to mention She is personally not doing a thing for Iraq – did not mention she was in the military) Finallly she wants to sue…

    Take a couple minutes and actually read the First Amendment… The right to freedom of speech allows individuals to express themselves without interference or constraint by the government. Here is the KICKER…The Supreme Court has also recognized that the government may prohibit some speech that may cause a breach of the peace or cause violence. The First Amendment also protects me from your speech – so keep you F(&^ shirt off the Airlines.

    * and for the record; I lived in Europe for 5 years and, yes, they are more open to displays of nudity and sexual expression Рbut you still could not wear a shirt calling the Horst K̦hler a F*^%er.

11. Oct 08, 2005

    tankar om allt. » tankar om flygbolag
    
12. 
    

    Firas
    

    Oct 08, 2005

    I really wish people knew what they were on about before calling this not protected under the first amendment. It is—cf. Cohen v. California.

    The basic issue is not a first amendment one at all, since it’s a private company regulation in effect, not a law.

    linda: are you sure the ACLU is supporting her? In what capacity? Has she filed suit?
13. 
    

    Brad
    

    Oct 08, 2005

    RE: MEET THE FUCKERS T-SHIRT
    MY OPEN LETTER TO SOUTHWEST AIRLINES…

    SOUTHWEST AIRLINES IS AT IT AGAIN!

    Last year it was blindsiding an overweight passenger by letting her complete the first leg of her round trip with no problem and then lying in wait for her to return and holding up the return portion for ransom.

    Today, it’s kicking people with OFFENSIVE T-Shirts off your flights. I’ve got to tell you, with the way air travellers are crammed in like sardines, I rarely notice what anyone else is wearing. If the pilot can move tons of metal containing my body thousands of miles in the air across the country and land safely …and the baggage people can have my stuff on the carousel at the other end, your work here is DONE…and you’ve done a FANTASTIC job. Of course the booze could be a lot cheaper, -but that’s another story for another time.

    I find it amazing that you or your passengers would take offense with that hilarious, “Meet the Fuckers” T-Shirt and not be offended by a man who has gotten around 2000 American men and women killed, on the pretext of a lie. I guess we have to forgive that transgression since he was under orders from GOD to start those wars. After all, you can’t ignore the Great Kahuna when he comes to you personally with orders.

    Think I’m kidding? Here’s your link:

    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/10/07/MNGNVF3SFM1.DTL
    (SFGate includes San Francisco Chronicle Newspaper)

    This man blatantly stole the 2000 election when his brother’s people simply erased 2000 African American voters from the registry and threw away 19,000 ballots in a heavily Jewish precinct voting for their “home boy” (Lieberman) in a state that was ultimately decided by less than 600 votes. But that’s NOT offensive?

    I guess I should not plan to wear my “MANDATE MY ASS” T-shirt, with the portrait of our fearless leader, on any of your flights.

    You used to be my favorite airline …after Mexicana (They were number one because of their everyone is equal attitude… no first class section and everyone gets a free beer. How can any airline compete with that?).

    What happened to that airline that took the time to return a passenger’s lost $3.95 yet valuable address book? I miss them.
14. 
    

    Mikelx
    

    Oct 10, 2005

    One thing most Americans don’t seem to realize is that the First Amendment prohibition on infringement of freedom of speech applies to the government.

    However, if your employer fired you for discussing politics from within your personal blog, they would be violating your civil rights.

    There are those on the right who think that terrorists have the ability to take away our freedoms. When in reality, it is only us who can take them away.

    I find it interesting how those on the right like to glorify how free we are in this country, yet they rush to the defense of Southwest in this incident. I wonder how they would react if the person was getting booted off the plane for wearing a shirt that was derogatory towards Bill & Hillary Clinton?
15. 
    

    aaron
    

    Oct 11, 2005

    thanks for the link! if anyone has a picture of it, send it my way as i am curious to see it!
16. 
    

    Alex k
    

    Oct 11, 2005

    Where can i get one of those shirts?
17. 
    

    Michael Hampton
    

    Oct 11, 2005

    Alex, I already provided a link way up top where you can buy one.
18. 
    

    vadim
    

    Oct 11, 2005

    Well, SouthWest Airlines must have huge comissions from the guys who made this T-shirt.
    I expect a big increasing of their business.
19. 
    

    Kerry
    

    Oct 12, 2005

    What I find extremely offensive is someone else deciding what I should or shouldn’t wear based on their views of what is right and wrong. I may or may not want to wear the shirt but what makes Southwest (and the narrow-minded individuals who support their actions) think that one person’s offense is any more worthy of action than another’s? I for one will never support an airline that doesn’t support the freedoms this country is supposed to be about.

    Sorry Southwest, you lost another customer.
20. 
    

    Kimberly Z
    

    Oct 14, 2005

    you people are so worried about a frickin t-shirt.is this what you want to waste your breath arguing about. God forbid we all have our own opinion. we are all human and our children to. if a child does not see offensive things on tv or t-shirts. there going to find it someware else.there is no help for us. everyone has there head so far up each others chimminy that they cant tell north from south. And as for dude up top calling hasley white trash. Who the F&^k are you. I dont think your children should be subjected to you. Your just plain ignorant. Yea ok we’ll let you and your children live in this little unrealistic bubble ok and we’ll see who survives this messed up world we all have to live in. peace out and God bless everyone.

    AMERICA NEEDS RELAX AND TAKE A JOKE SOMETIMES………God forbid we try and use humor to help us through these triles and tribulations.
21. 
    

    Mumbles
    

    Oct 14, 2005

    All those who are so against other peoples right to do anything can go off to a deseart island or space where they cant be offended by anything.

    I happen to not like mums in people carriors doing school runs when they only have to pick up one kid. and yet when im cyclying home the cars that normaly try and run me over are SUV’s and such.
22. 
    

    miketheman1ac
    

    Oct 16, 2005

    You all are a bunch of fucking conservative soccer moms, why don’t you get a sense of humor Jesus Christ! Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot, you all support Bush becuase he invades countries to get gas to fill up your SUVs. They are fuckers and I think her wearing that shirt made a great political statement. If your child knows what fuck means, then you are doing something wrong. I doubt any kids even noticed, until their hysterical moms started making an issue of it.

    Also, THIS IS THE UNITED STATES AND WE DO HAVE A RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH, SO SUCK ON THAT. That is a perfectly legitimate argument, and who ever said it isn’t can get fucked.
23. 
    

    miketheman1ac
    

    Oct 16, 2005

    Linda- Why dont you just put yourself in a fucking bunker and seal it off from the rest of the human race. A word is a word you narrow minded dick. I hope you do fly Southwest, because it seems just right for pieces of shit like you.
24. 
    

    TheGr8BaldOne
    

    Oct 16, 2005

    Hahaha, Mike is right. You people need to grow some skin. Especially you Linda, “your rights end where my nose begins” that’s bullshit. An American’s rights end where our borders do. Yelling fire in a crowded theatre is nothing like making a political statement on your shirt. Get over it.

    Fuck Fuck Fuckity Fuck Fuck Fuck
25. 
    

    TheGr8BaldOne
    

    Oct 16, 2005

    We’re using Locke’s social contract in America people. Read a little if you don’t know what that means. I agree not to use my rights for the good of society. Some people don’t always agree but that doesn’t mean we crucify them.

    The “your rights end where my nose begins” is Hobbes, and you don’t want to follow Hobbes cause chances are I’m bigger than your average suburban housewife.
26. 
    

    Tony
    

    Oct 16, 2005

    I believe that everyone has freedom of speech in America, but that has limits. For instance, if I fly aboard any public airline and start swearing my head off like a drunken sailor, the lady two rows up with the 6 year old has every right to tell me to please be quiet. Obviously, if the shirt hadn’t contained a word some would find offensive, we wouldn’t be discussing this now. The fact that it was a political statement is obviously beside the point.

    tony
27. 
    

    miketheman1ac
    

    Oct 16, 2005

    Tony- I can understand your viewpoint, but the lady did NOT yell out profanity, she simply wore profanity on her shirt. Maybe, just maybe, I could understand your argument if it was..say…an explicit pornographic image on her shirt, but it wasn’t. It was just a word, and if people can’t deal with a word on someone’s shirt (I know kids wouldn’t read the shirt and if they did and knew the meaning then the parents are doing something wrong in raising their kids) then those people need to stop living in this idealistic bubble of what the world is. This is the real world and if they can’t deal with it, tough shit, don’t whine about it and kick a woman of her plane about it.

    Also Tony, you know as well as I do that, if it was not a political statement and it was purely a meaningless swear word on her shirt, it would not have been in the news at all.

    The REAL people who should be kicked off planes are the assholes that bring their babies on a 10 hour plane ride, and all they do is cry the entire way. Im sure these babies have more of a disturbing effect on the passengers of planes than some woman’s shirt.
28. 
    

    Tony
    

    Oct 16, 2005

    Mike- It’s common practice in the US to not let children see, hear, or say these things. It’s just common practice – nothing special about it being on an airplane. Common sence dictates that you simply don’t go on an airplane, into hospitals, etc., with profanity on your shirt.
29. 
    

    chris
    

    Oct 18, 2005

    i feel that you should be allowed to wear what ever you want. i think she was kind enough to cover it up and that shows that she did not mean to offend any one. how ever i do not think that this issue is worthy of a law suit. if there are soldiers fighting in iraq don’t you think we should be worried about them not a t-shirt
30. 
    

    Jim
    

    Oct 18, 2005

    Miketheman1ac and TheGr8Baldone are gutter trash and there is no reason to debate with them. They operate on a different frequency, they are in the “trash” zone. They obviously got offended with Linda’s reference to Jesse Jackson. That should tell you volumes about them.
    And by the way, dumbasses, many of us who think Heasley was wrong have absolutely no use for Bush or Cheney. But then again, you trash mongers wouldn’t understand what we object to because you are “trash” and are probably proud of it. It is trash like you that forced people to vote for Bush. So you are ultimately the responsible parties for this screwed up administration. After all, what choice did the democrats give us?
31. 
    

    Michael Hampton
    

    Oct 19, 2005

    Jim, just about everyone (except in Oklahoma, un-American place that it is) had choices other than Republican and Democrat. That people think the only choices are Republican and Democrat is evidence of a serious flaw in America’s political process.
32. 
    

    Maria
    

    Oct 20, 2005

    Linda–since you spelled “Jesse Jackson’s” name wrong, its obvious YOU are clueless as to what he is all about! Furthermore, you obviously don’t have a clear understanding of what a METAPHORS is!!!! How in the hell are you going to compare this woman who wore a T-shirt that some people found offensive to someone yelling “fire” in a crowded theater? I’d be interested in seeing how YOU did on your SATs, but I can probably already guess that the english section wouldn’t be very high in addition to the history section. “Your freedom ends where my nose begins?” What in the hell are you talking about? are you trying to imply that this woman’s shirt had a bad odor to it? or the mere sight of the shirt stunk? okay, well you probably should have said something about how it affected your eyesight, not your nose? but I can see that you maybe an educationally challenged person and that’s okay, that’s probably why you do fly southwest.

    James Cole: trust me your children have (and will continue) already been subjected to “vulgarity” especially if they go to school, (even in private schools!) Unless of course you don’t allow your children to watch any TV, listen to any music, or hangout with other neighborhood children.

    At least Ms Heasley’s “vulgarities” were on a T-Shirt, what about men who have sexually explicit tattoos on their arms? is Southwest going to kick them off? I have seen a few really sexually disgusting tattoos in public and that is extremely offensive but there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

    Jim: I agree with “Miketheman1AC” and if you’re calling them trash, then you’re calling me trash. But I tell ya what, as an emergency medicine physician, making over $300,000.00 a year—makes me very, very wealthy TRASH and I’d rather be a very,very wealthy piece of trash, actually benefiting from the “Fuckers!!!” then be a very, very poor piece of high grade linen!! oh, and this piece of trash sleeps on 1000ct cotton sheets everyday, drives a 740 BMW and is living very, very large. Oh, I am going to get one of those fucker T-shirts myself!!! I’m quite certain that I won’t have any travel problems because I generally charter my flights!
33. 
    

    Jim
    

    Oct 30, 2005

    IO Error you are correct and I stand corrected.

    Maria, you are pathetic if you think $300,000 a year makes you very, very wealthy in this
    country. I make much more than that, but I am not going to flaunt that in an effort to make others feel uncomfortable or inadequate. Many people who make much less than we do are just as intelligent and just as deserving as we are. Nobody cares what kind of sheets you sleep on Maria or what you do on them. That little tirade indicates you have
    inadequacy issues or otherwise you wouldn’t feel the need to tell everyone what you make or what you have. Do you feel that people will give what you say more value if you emphasize your so called “accomplishments”?
    I won’t go into what I do, but let me say that I see people like you daily, and I prescribe them “medicine”. Get a life Maria!

34. Nov 03, 2005

    IO ERROR
    
35. 
    

    Wayne
    

    Nov 11, 2005

    Sounds like the argument/debate is at an end or at least cooled off for now. Free speech? That is pretty much up to the individuals own opinion of what it allows that person to say or to do as an expression of their true feelings. Once the expression leaves the individuals personal space it is now up to others to judge whether it is offensive or not. It is up to the individual to make knowledgeable choices on how far they can go in public and get away with it.
    I, personally do not consider most words in the English language to be offensive and nudity is only natural, although I do try to limit my vocabulary when in public and as my body isn’t much to look at I keep the “private parts” covered up with at least a pair of shorts.
    As this country is somewhat repressive when it comes to the human body, nudity is not considered natural which makes for a lot of twisted minds both adult and children and this timidity is carried on into the sexual scene which is where most (so called) religious people get their fear of hearing, speaking or seeing so called cuss words.
    I like to remind others that it’s only an acronym, which of course, isn’t true but sometimes eases the tension (go to http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/10/07/MNGNVF3SFM1.DTL for the real dirt on fuck).
    As for Heasly taking them to court over the t-shirt, she has a right to receive what she paid for. When Southwest took her money did they specify what she had to wear before she could board the flight? Not likely. They expected her to use good judgment and since she didn’t show up looking like “white trash” wearing spandex and a sleeveless tee shirt and nothing else except shoes, she did use a limited amount of good judgment. If wearing a t-shirt with a cuss word on it was so offensive to Southwest, it should have been posted in a very visible place so that everyone can see and read it before they give up their luggage and have nothing to change into. In my opinion, the posted sign should spell out each and every offensive word that they consider offensive so there would be no question. Since that is not likely to happen then they should handle any further incidents in a different way, board the offender first at the back of the aircraft, and let her off last. That way the exposure will be minimal and they can make their point without risking a lawsuit.
    Now for you that think attacking other commenter’s is part of the game. You should remember the Golden Rule and practice it in all aspect of your visit to the Internet and in your daily lives. Makes for a much pleasanter read.

    Wish I made 300K! Even 100K would make life easier.
36. 
    

    Donald Fields
    

    Dec 27, 2005

    Freedom of speech is saying Merry Christmas, most employers, discourage the use of those words in favor of happy holidays. They could say Merry Christmas, but if it offends customer, your job is probably on the line.If Irving Berlin only had written White Holidays, or Mel Torme had only written The Holiday song. who would have bought them. Go figure.It seems to me that the only time anyone wants to defend free speech is when it is vulgar or deflamatory. One line on free speech in the 1st ammendment, but volumes on interpretation. It’s a bunch of bull.
37. 
    

    Coyote Osborne
    

    Jan 03, 2006

    I used to be very offended when I saw people wearing that t-shirt that said “Eat me Raw,” but it would never occur to me that someone should make them not wear it. I don’t have to like the person, or agree with the sentiment on their t-shirt. I can freely choose to think they’re a big, crude dolt if I want to. But I wouldn’t tell them that they had to change their shirt or get off an airplane. That seems very grade-school to me.

    I believe very strongly in freedom of expression. Curtailing expression doesn’t and can’t enforce “truth,” it can only force people to conceal things from one another at best.

    Wearing a t-shirt with the F-word on it, or expressing a strong political view isn’t the same as shouting “fire” in a crowded movie theater. You aren’t being injured by being offended. And if you are, then I’d consider you to have a very bad problem that means you aren’t equipped to survive a normal consequence of interacting with society. Sorry… that seems kind of an “evolutionarily non-viable” trait – to be injured by or unable to cope with words, concepts or images that offend you. If I freaked out every time I saw something I didn’t like, I’d have had an aneurysm by now.
38. 
    

    Billy
    

    May 20, 2006

    I am amazed at the naiviety of you adults protesting the T-shirt. Your children have heard way worse than that on the bus, on the schoolground, on the street, at the park. We knew how to swear like troopers before you felt comfortable saying “drat” in front of us. Along with that “holier than thou” BS, you are trashing the spirit of the 1st Amendment. Ah, the Nazi’s would have loved you – freedom for safety – their kind of tradeoff!!! What’s a few Jews if the rest of you are safe? Hey let’s burn those “bad” books.

    Billy (12, LDS, been there!)

    PS: While you were being rightously outraged, your daughter was sneakin’ out and giving her all to the football team (gotta give it up someday). Oh yeah, and at the next football game, you will probably get introduced and YOU can MEET THE FUCKERS.
    Maybe that’s what really irritated you about the T-shirt – eh mommy and daddy?
39. 
    

    John C. Randolph
    

    Nov 01, 2006

    It goes without saying that you’re entitled to wear whatever you want on your T-shirt to express your opinion. However, it also goes without saying, that a private company has the prerogative to choose not to do business with you if they are offended by what’s on your T-shirt.

    Your right to free speech does not include a right to be immune to other people’s reactions to what you say. If you go into a McDonald’s with a shirt that says “McDonald’s sucks”, I’d expect them to toss you out of their restaurant. If you come into my house in a Che Guevara T-Shirt, I’d throw you of my house, and by the same token, if I went into a Bible-thumper’s tent meeting in a shirt that said “Jesus is a fraud”, I’d expect them to throw my ass out of there.

    You’re saying these things to get a reaction. Don’t act all surprised when you get one.

    -jcr
40. 
    

    Brian Miller
    

    Nov 18, 2006

    I don’t know what’s more pathetic — Southwest’s decision to strand a customer in the middle of a layover, or the fact that if it was a Republican wearing a “Slick Willie” t-shirt who was thrown off the plane, the soccerfraus would all be screaming bloody murder and lamenting the spread of political correctness.
41. 
    

    u r not the world
    

    Apr 18, 2007

    So wearing a sarcastic T-Shirt is evil and has to be removed from public, while bombing other countries without good reason and killing thousends of people for mastery and money is OK ???

    I’m glad NOT to live in such Police-State!

    People; Start to read proper books, start to use your brains. Or change the slogan on your currency to “in rifles we trust, in chaos we believe”
42. 
    

    Big Dick
    

    Nov 27, 2007

    The lady was a douchebag and deserves to be left in the middle of her trip. I’m a fucking college student and I still don’t want to see that shit on the plane. What a whore!!!!!
43. 
    

    wonka
    

    Dec 08, 2007

    I recognize and respect that everyone is out nation is entitled to their own ideas and opinion and expression of such. However, I tend to find that arguing intelligently tends to work a little bit better than calling someone a fucker. There are numerous other things wrong with this. One of which being that there are children present… I still respect her right to free speech, but there is a line between allowance for people to intelligently converse and outright absurdity. Honestly, shes not really presenting a valid or worthwhile point, shes just being obscene.

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