When is verbal abuse illegal in America?

So Yahoo has this poll going to see who gave the best answer to "When if verbal abuse illegal in America?" I am a staunch believer in the first Amendment so it would take a LOT to get me to say someone's words should be illegal! Maybe real world threats--sex talk to children--yelling "FIRE" in a crowded theater. France passed laws already that make verbal and emotional abuse illegal...nice try France, how's that working out for you?

I know that things do vary by sate. For instance, when my ex destroyed half our living room, I wanted to make him responsible for destruction of property. I called the police only to find out that in Virginia, you are allowed to destroy what you own--even jointly so no consequences. However, a friend of mine, Jim Porter, who owned a treatment center in Colorado said that it was not legal there to destroy property--especially when intimidating a partner--you could go to jail for that.

Since I believe that we should NOT keep secrets and that our partners should take responsibility for their behavior, having the legal system involved can be a good tool for forcing partners to face their own behavior.

But its a state law thing. You gotta use your own judgement...

So, what do you think? See this Yahoo posting a week ago and take the poll...

When is verbal abuse illegal in America? - Yahoo! Answers: "When is verbal abuse illegal in America?
so is there anything you can say to someone that will get you arrested. say they provoke a fight with words is there anything you can do to legally defend yourself? what if someone spits on you? is that illegal?"

'via Blog this'