State looks to pull anti-Bush license plate

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theforce @ May 5 2007, 11:24 PM) [snapback]436233[/snapback]</div>

True. And the funny thing is, if he was gay and asked for a license plate that said "GAY", they probably would have refused him on the grounds that it was offensive.
In Rhode Island (being the smallest state), our license plates (for the few people who don't pay extra for vanity plates) have two letters and three numbers. I have noticed a lot of plates that begin with the letters "PU" (hopefully not a comment on our state). I would not want a license plate that says "PU"- I don't want people to hold their nose and point at my car. I would hardly be an appropriate tag for a Prius anyway. My plates begin with "HV", which is just the registration number that was assigned to my previous vehicle. But people have asked me if it is a special plate for "Hybrid Vehicle".

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ May 6 2007, 12:22 PM) [snapback]436378[/snapback]</div>

That is the issue here- inconsistent application of state regulations. It might not be a free speech issue, as the registration plates are the property of the state. Now, if she were arrested or ticketed for having an anti-Bush bumper sticker, as this woman was, that's a different matter.
But if they are singling out Heather just because her plate is anti-Bush, I'd say she has a good case.

 

And I'm sure her lawyer is smart enough to go looking for a vanity plate reading "impchbll" or something similar to see if it's just the bush part that is singling her out or the state has been inconsistent in their pulling of political speech on vanity plates.

 

I'll have to see if "MPEACHW" is available in my state. It would go well with my bumper sticker:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ May 6 2007, 10:34 AM) [snapback]436418[/snapback]</div>

I don't know why anyone would pay any attention to a bumper sticker selected by someone who would apply it to a painted surface of their nearly new vehicle. This indicates diminished reasoning skills in car care abilities, so why would thier political reasoning be any better.

As far as the plates, it is not a matter of free speach at all, because the plates belong to the state, represent the state, and could be construed as being endorsed by the state. Perhaps if they had a large enough area to add with same size lettering "The views expressed on this plate were selected by the registered owner of this vehicle and do not necessarily represent the views of the state of North Dakota.", then it might be acceptable.

The president of the United State, regardless if you agree with his current policy, is a symbol of our country similar to the American Flag. License plates cannot deface the presidential symbol of the USA.

It is just like "BRNFLAG" or "DAMNUSA".

Also, as new slogans or meanings for acronyms change, it will always be necessary to recall existing plates for which a new interpretation has developed, even if it was fine before. There was a time when someone could have had a plate that was "IM GAY" and it would have meant that they were happy, although I don't necessarily know if personalized plates had been invented yet back when this was true.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ May 6 2007, 04:05 PM) [snapback]436466[/snapback]</div>

If you equate calling for impeachment of the president, a lawful process that is specified in the United States Constitution, with defacing a symbol of this country, you apparently do not support the Constitution. When I was commissioned as an officer in the Navy, I swore to uphold and protect the Constitution, not to be loyal to the President.
As far as what I choose to put on my car, that is my business. Like a lot of the right-wingers on this forum, instead of engaging in a reasoned debate of the issues you had to lower yourself to insulting my intelligence.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ May 6 2007, 04:12 PM) [snapback]436466[/snapback]</div>

I'd like to see that law.

Although the vast majority of Americans would find it reprehensible, advocating the burning of the American flag or defacing the presidential symbol of the United States is not currently against the law (although actual flag burning of any sort would probably violate environmental laws in most populated areas). A federal bill which would have entitled states to enact laws of this very nature was defeated in Congress not long ago (and rightly so). To embark on such a path would have been a very slippery-slope, indeed.

It's another one of those typical right-wing double-standards. It's perfectly fine for Cheney, Libby, Rove, et al, to out Valerie Plame as a covert CIA operative in an effort to discredit her husband because he made public credible evidence which conflicted with the administration's, all because it was technically legal for them to do so. Yet, woe be it to anyone who dares consider defacing the flag or a Republican president even though it is just as technically legal.

Whether 'BRNFLAG' or 'DAMNUSA' actually makes it onto a license plate is entirely up to the issuing state. If a bunch of blue states decided that 'MPEACHW', 'BRNFLAG', or 'DAMNUSA' were all unacceptable as vanity plates, but some red states decided just the opposite, as far as I know, there are no federal laws prohibiting them from doing exactly that. The fact of the matter is that each individual state has the right to determine what it will allow on a state-issued license plate and what it won't.

The problem with what happened in South Dakota is how they've decided to go about enforcing their particular state's standards regarding offensive license plates already issued. If they had been smart, South Dakota would have simply sent the holder of the 'MPEACHW' license plate a letter stating that her license plate would not be renewed (with an explanation as to why), and the whole matter would have went largely unnoticed.

The heavy-handed tactic of threatening to send law enforcement personnel to forcibly remove the plate is emblematic of the direction this country's taken. If she doesn't comply with the order to voluntarily return the plates, I suppose the next step will be to issue a warrant for her arrest, throw her in jail, and impound the vehicle.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rudiger @ May 6 2007, 05:44 PM) [snapback]436495[/snapback]</div>

FREE THE PRIUS!!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ May 6 2007, 04:12 PM) [snapback]436466[/snapback]</div>

I use this same methodology to choose my children's doctors...I go to their homes and surveil them to make sure they're using Invisible Glass on their car windows - if I catch them using Windex, then clearly they are of diminished reasoning abilities and of course I wouldn't let them near my kids...

:blink: :blink: :blink:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ May 6 2007, 01:17 PM) [snapback]436471[/snapback]</div>

Sorry larkinmj, I should not have insulted you. I bought my son a red Corolla, and he also put an impeachment bumper sticker on it. The car is in my name, and I don't want Bush impeached, so I asked him to take it off, in the name of protecting the paint. I guess I just let my ruffled feathers get the best of me. The thread just seemed to me to be more tounge in cheek rather than a serious political debate. You are correct that I do perfer not to engage in serious political debates. I really didn't intend to insult you though. Would have been beter off having said nothing at all.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finman @ May 5 2007, 03:35 PM) [snapback]436110[/snapback]</div>

Gee thanks, retards with plates as such helping stereotype non-idiotic prius drivers.

It's bad enough most people assume prius owners are earthy-crunch granola types, now this.

For every prius driver that will get accosted by SUV's thinking such, you thank folks like this. I wonder how many dangerous traffic situations will result because of this sort of thing.

If I were an insurance company, I would charge you sky high premiums for comprehensive coverage, as your prius is at high risk for vandalism.

Thanks again.

 

Your Welcome.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finman @ May 7 2007, 09:49 AM) [snapback]436779[/snapback]</div>

Don't mention it, I'll say, "Hi" if I ever see it!






<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ May 7 2007, 09:58 AM) [snapback]436783[/snapback]</div>

As the great GWB once said, "...at the time of our choosing...."

 

cool! Thanks so much. your welcome, again.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ May 7 2007, 02:51 AM) [snapback]436705[/snapback]</div>

No offense taken. I'm sure that you and your son have some interesting conversations at the dinner table!

 

The state doesn't really seem to have much leg to stand on, at least according to the intructions you have to fill out to get one:

Each plate must contain at least two characters (letters or numbers). Plates for cars, trucks or motor homes may use up to sevencharacters and motorcycles may use up to six characters. A space between characters counts as one character. Characters must be in anupright position, and no special characters may be used with the exception of a *. The department may refuse to issue or recall anymessage that does not meet standards of decency and good taste. If your choice(s) is not available, the department will return your fee.
https://www.state.sd.us/eforms/secure/eform...Application.pdf

It sounds like their law prohibits plates based on "adult content," (i.e., swearing/sex puns). Nothing about political content.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MegansPrius @ May 7 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]436822[/snapback]</div>

Apparently the law in South Dakota is different than in Washington DC! :lol:

 

i think this is so ridiculous. i have to look at everyone’s 'got god' plates; they should be able to handle one person’s opinion. hello, it's just a freakin' license plate!

 

If they rescind her plates, she can always get a personalized magnetic plate with it designed that way and put that on her car. Just think of the mega bucks magnets will generate!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MegansPrius @ May 7 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]436822[/snapback]</div>

Again, the key is who determines the 'standards of decency and good taste'. In South Dakota, they've managed to foul things up royally by stating that just one individual filing a complaint is sufficient grounds to recall any personalized plate.