Posted on 10/06/2009 4:43:37 AM PDT by truthnomatterwhat
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal in Choose Life Illinois v. White, upholding a Seventh Circuit ruling that the Illinois system for approving specialty plates was not discriminatory.
The case was filed in 2004 after citizens had collected more than the requisite number of signatures, but were denied a “Choose Life” license plate.
“Ever-increasing numbers of pro-life Americans want to proudly display the ‘Choose Life’ message on their vehicles—as evidenced by the fact that 22 states now offer such plates,” says Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life. “Illinois is unfairly censoring the freedom of speech of its citizens by not allowing them to obtain a plate with a life-affirming message.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thevoicemagazine.com ...
Illinis should toss their doofus state legislators out, elect a new group of state legislators more to their liking.
This isn’t freedom of speech, all this says is I can’t have an unapproved license plate message on a government-approved piece of ID. I can’t have kittens or superman logos on my license either. You want pro-life? Get a bumper sticker. That this clogged up the Supreme Court is ridiculous, if only because it got that far.
Good idea and it will happen when the first frost hits Hell.
“the Illinois Secretary of State did not like its pro-life message”.
...I suppose “Choose Abortion” would work. “Kill the Babies”. “Partial Birth Abortion Works For Me”. SOB’s!!
I saw a Choose-Life Florida plate with an Obama sticker the other day. Go figure.
I didn’t know Doug Kmiec was a Florida resident. Isn’t he supposed to be in Malta?
It is yellow, and does not look a bit like other VA plates. I am definitely departing from my normal "keep a low profile" approach.
When the government provides a method for getting license plate messages approved, and that method is followed, but the government decides they don’t want that particular message - even though it’s within the guidelines - doesn’t that rise to the level of equality before the law?
..and I definitely DO NOT have an Obama sticker on mine.
LOL
You’re lucky. I live in Texas, and our Choose Life license plate bill didn’t pass during the last session of the State Legislature. We’ll have to wait until 2011 to try again!
That's surprising.
I agree with you on every point.
I would guess that at least 30 percent of those who voted for The One have no idea where he stands on any of the issues. They wanted to be a part of history by voting for a black man, they were taken in by the non-stop spinning of the MSM, not to mention his hypnotic-inducing speeches, etc.
The sad truth is that most people vote based on something other than the issues.
What bothers me most is: “Who are the approvers, and/or the disapprovers.”
Is this not still a nation, “For and by and of the people?”
So let the people decide, not the courts!
I’m with you.
While I can appreciate your post, I think we would better be served by seeing a list of the approved specialty plates.
http://www.sos.state.il.us/departments/vehicles/license_plate_guide/specialty_plates/home.html
It appears that there is a wide range to choose from, from sports, to environmental, and even a UNION license plate! There is a “prevent violence” plate, as well as “support youth golf”. Sure seems the denial of the petition that met the legal requirements to have a plate added, was arbitrary and capricious.
So, get a bumper sticker etc. Ill don’t need no stikin revenue.
I get your point - other people are voicing their views, including views you may not agree with, why don’t you get to put your message? What can I tell you, life’s not fair. There are many ways to voice your support in the exact same venue (license plate frame, etc.). This one didn’t get through. Is that a reason to tie up the supreme court? I don’t think so.
It should not have gone to the SCOTUS in the first place. The fact that lower courts failed to act is a travesty.
If the government is going to allow SOME messages, but not others, simply based on an arbitrary decision (not based on law or statutes), then there is a problem. Technically, it IS an violation of constitutional rights.
SCOTUS is right to not take it up—this is a state case. Feds need to keep out of them.
Something like "Choose life! (Illinois legislative hacks won't let me say this on a license plate.)"
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