Posted on 11/19/2005 6:54:28 AM PST by buccaneer81
'ONE NATION' CLAMORS FOR 80 DIFFERENT LICENSE PLATES Published: Friday, November 18, 2005 NEWS 01E By Ann Fisher The Columbus Dispatch
The cynics among us would suggest that the newest state license-plate option -- "One nation under God" -- is just a pithy way of reminding people that it's really "one nation under GOP."
Certainly, Ohio government is dominated by Republican officeholders who need all the help they can get in these uncertain times of rare-coin investments and other nonsense. If becoming a lap dog to the religious right does the trick, who's to begrudge the effort?
The newest entry in the marketplace of "specialty plates," however, reflects more than a cheap and legal way to get the vote on Election Day.
The new plate option also signals a society inundated by choice. No, not that "choice." The anti-choice folks are way ahead anyway with their own license plate -- "Choose Life."
Choice in general is the culprit. Set aside for a moment the notion that choice is the cornerstone of our pseudo-capitalist society. Think about how choice has splintered us, sapped us.
In the morning, as you dress, how much time do you spend pondering which pair of black socks or stockings to wear -- the matte or sheer, reinforced or regular-weave toe?
At breakfast, you choose among cereals and low-cholesterol egg substitutes, juices and coffees.
Remember the woman from the Folger's commercial? Those were the good old days. We were all drinking basically the same cup of coffee in the morning -- and we liked it. Well, not really, but we had solidarity.
License plates were among the last bastions of conformity. In this age of automobility -- a term coined by a social historian, by the way, not a car company -- a person's car is his or her identity.
Before the 1990s, everyone had the same plate, Cadillac and Corolla alike. The license plate was the pleated plaid-skirt uniform of a registered vehicle. There was no one-upsmanship, no comparisons, no "message" to absorb.
Now, when you're pulled over for speeding or running a red light, the officer who issues the citation (assuming it's even a real, live person) knows way too much about you at the outset.
Forget your driving record. What sort of impression does a "Scenic Rivers" plate make? That you're a hippie tree hugger who probably smokes pot or knows someone who does.
The following are not totally hopeless causes, but do you really want to broadcast to the world that you're a Browns fan? Or a Blue Jackets buff?
What happens the next time you accidentally cut off another motorist on Rt. 315 and your plate is blaring "Share the Road"? Think the guy who's into road rage cares that the plate is about sharing the road with bicyclists? That might make his mood worse.
More than 80 specialty plates are available from the state of Ohio via the Internet or your neighborhood deputy registrar. Proceeds from most go to support the organization represented on the plate.
Collect them all. Or just donate directly to the organization and skip the free publicity. That's what public-relations consultants are for.
And bumper stickers are cheaper, especially if you're gutless and tape it to the inside of your rear window.
How about returning to a time when we had one lousy thing in common? Some might call it a slippery slope toward totalitarianism.
Another word is unity.
We should celebrate the day a politician introduces a bill that establishes that concept in a plate logo. He could steal it from the original Pledge of Allegiance: "One nation indivisible."
Ann Fisher is a Dispatch Metro columnist. She can be reached at 614-461-8759 or by e-mail.
afisher@dispatch.com
Ohio ping!
What? Doesn't matter where it is. Libs will still key your car if they don't like your sticker.
They must just be giving the libs fits there in Ohio.
Another word is unity.
I thought that was "jingoism"? Isn't diversity and dissent "patriotic"?
</sarcasm>
I think she means she's pro HER choice and no other choices should be permitted.
Her freedom gives her the right to spew this bile while telling me I shouldn't be able to have a "Choose Life" license plate. Typical Liberal media trash hypocrisy.
Her brain is clearly burned out on drugs.
Her brain is clearly burned out on drugs.
Only a really, really pathetic person.
 |
 |
 |
        |
||
 |
Typical liberal crap, if it suits our beliefs it is ok, if not, then it promotes disunity and panders to special groups. And yes, liberals do not accept beliefs of others, our car was keyed within days of putting "Ehrlich for Governor" (State of MD) bumper sticker on (yes, the bumper, not the window).
Too true. If it hadn't been for Roe v. Wade, it would be a very different country.
But since you can't undo the past, maybe the solution is to choose your own license plate. Since this lady evidently hates "CHOOSE LIFE" so much, why doesn't she campaign for a new license plate motto for her own ideological group, "CHOOSE DEATH"?
The libs could have their own "Divide & Conquer."
". . .a cheap and legal way to get the vote on Election Day."
Catchy little jingle there.
Ann needs a man...badly.
Or how about, "NO CHOICES".
Perhaps Ms. Fisher would enjoy a year living on the streets of Calcutta, or in Nigeria. Better yet, within the deep jungles of the Amazon.
She would survive a day, and if she did, I assure you, Ms. Fisher wouldn't call it home for the rest of her life. Ms. Fisher is your typical hypocritical liberal.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.