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I figured that this is a topic, while not dear to us, is relevant to this crowd -- well maybe not the public part. Italy's highest court has ruled that masturbation in public is not a crime, as long as it is not conducted in the presence of minors.
The man was convicted in May 2015 after he performed the act in front of students on the University of Catania campus, according to documents filed with Supreme Court. The man was sentenced to three months in prison and ordered to pay a fine of €3,200 (around $3,600).
However, the defendant's lawyer appealed the case to the country's highest court, which ruled on the side of the accused in June but only just made its decision public. Judges ruled that public masturbation out of the presence of minors is no longer deemed criminal conduct due to a change in the law last year, which decriminalized the act.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/08/europe/italy-supreme-court-masturbation/
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Francis on Sunday September 11 2016, @05:57PM
I see more of this libertarian bullshit. My mentality isn't toxic, I'm just smart enough to notice that reality tends to come in shades of grey.
If there isn't a reason for something to be legal, then it comes down to society and culture to decide whether or not it should be permissible. Personally, I like not having to see people wanking off in public. If I want to see people wanking off, there's plenty of places online where I can go and see that. Likewise, there's no reason for women to be going around topless and society has decided that they should cover up.
Sometimes society gets it wrong and has to fix it. Bans on mix raced relationships and sodomy laws are good examples of mistakes that have largely been fixed. Masturbating in public implies that people are masturbating around people who may or may not consent to see that it. Why should they have to see that just because you don't understand how society functions?
Also, a lot of our laws aren't because there are victims if you don't do it, it's because it ensures that there's a set of rules of the road that we can reasonably assume people will adhere to in conducting their affairs.
I'm not really surprised that you're posting this dribble AC. I too would be too ashamed to walk around that ignorant in public.
(Score: 3, Informative) by linkdude64 on Monday September 12 2016, @09:20AM
"If there isn't a reason for something to be legal, then it comes down to society and culture to decide whether or not it should be permissible."
I was extremely tempted to stop reading here.
I am aghast.
On the chance you are an American, I will have you know that a large part of the reason you are able to enjoy the society you do (one where you have more power and freedom than you will likely ever utilize) is because the Constitution granted to the people all freedoms not explicitly excluded by it. This reflected the Founders' mindset of: I would rather let a guilty man go free than see an innocent man imprisoned.
You advocate a society where all new and creative acts are illegal before governmental approval? Because that is exactly what your comment means.
A free society is the only reason you are able to wish you did not live in one. If you are wise, you will be careful of what you wish for.