2009.03.30
Choosing a license plate
Gov. Tim Kaine today signed legislation that will allow Virginians to purchase a "Choose Life" license plate.
A similar plate was ruled unconstitutional in South Carolina because its legislature refused to approve a competing plate by Planned Parenthood. Kaine said Virginia can get around this by giving PP or a similar group a plate, if it asks.
I'm still a bit perplexed by Virginia's many plate choices and why anyone would wear his politics on his unattended car.
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How many current license plate options have a political connection? Did you guys just wake up when you saw the pro-life plate?
I don't think you need a competing plate unless it is in demand. If you have a Washington Redskins plate, I don't think you have to have a plate of all the other NFL teams.
Comment by Henry — March 30, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
"...and why anyone would wear his politics on his unattended car."
What about all the people who have bumper stickers on their cars, that support political candidates and political issues? They're wearing their politics on their unattended cars. Do you find that perplexing?
Sometimes people use their cars as a statement, not just for politics but for places, as an example (like "OBX"... which took me years to realize was "Outer Banks") and I'd say if they want to use their license plate as part of a statement, go ahead.
It seems like there's a never-ending variety of license plate choices, but why not? I'm pro-life so I'm glad there's the option. But if PP wants a plate, they are welcome to it. I don't have to like it if people have it on their car, but it's called free speech for a reason.
Comment by KB — March 30, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
This is exactly why I will not put anything on my car.
I can imagine being parked at Valley View and some ignorant drunk redneck coming out of BWW's who might not like my politics or my football team and end up keying my car.
No Thanks.
Besides, does anyone think their political sticker is going to change anyone's mind? I don't think so. The best are the people still carrying Bush-Cheney Stickers from 2000/2004. Hey... it's over!
Comment by scott — March 30, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
I have to laugh a bit at this. People definitely already wear their politics on their cars, along with their religions. I see so many people with Obama, McCain, Bush, Kerry, and even a very faded Gore sticker on their cars, not to mention a plethora of other political statement stickers and religious symbols affixed to bumpers and tailgates. I think Virginia has too many plates out there as it is. Let's cut back and just have a small handful again for the in-state colleges, the couple basic ones, one for vets, the ones for government and fire/rescue, and maybe 1 or 2 more, but that's it. The fact that they have to maintain a large 3-ring binder with all the varieties of plates available is nuts.
Comment by Other John — March 30, 2009 @ 11:27 pm
If people care enough about their political positions to kick extra money at the state to display them...more power to them. They might be better off directing that same money to an organization that supports their views, but who's to say. It seems like half the cars out there are rolling billboards anyway.
Comment by Kristen — March 31, 2009 @ 7:27 am
"Kaine said Virginia can get around this by giving PP or a similar group a plate, if it asks."
If it asks? How many different ways can you say "Let's murder babies!"?
Comment by Marked Man (Mark) — March 31, 2009 @ 11:20 am
"ignorant drunk redneck"
How do you describe an "ignorant drunk redneck"?
Comment by Ed S. — March 31, 2009 @ 11:58 am
....run if you hear banjos......
Comment by Kristen — March 31, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
apparently you dont have to be drunk to be ignorant, you just have to block someone in their own driveway and call them racist...
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5904413.html
Comment by Marked Man (Mark) — March 31, 2009 @ 12:41 pm