Posted on 11/27/2005 2:21:55 PM PST by wagglebee
The phrase "God Bless America" would be added to Alabama's already crowded license plates if a bill proposed by a state legislator becomes law.
State Rep. Steve Hurst, D-Munford, has prefiled a bill in the Alabama House that would require most Alabama car tags to include the phrase "God Bless America." Some specialty license plates and motorcycle tags would be exempt.
Hurst said he got the idea when the saw the words "God Bless America" on a specialty prisoner of war car tag.
"I thought why don't we do the same thing for all the tags in the state of Alabama. That will let all the people in America know that we are a Bible Belt state," Hurst said.
The phrase comes from the Irving Berlin song "God Bless America." The song was made famous by singer Kate Smith and since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks has replaced "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" as the tune most often sung during the seventh inning stretch of Major League Baseball games.
Hurst said "God Bless America" would not replace anything currently on Alabama car tags. State law requires that the phrase "Heart of Dixie" be on Alabama plates. "Heart of Dixie" historically appeared at the top of plates, but was moved to the bottom of the tag when former Gov. Don Siegelman had the plates redesigned and put "Stars Fell on Alabama," also a song title, at the top.
Hurst said he believes the plates could be designed so that there would be room for "God Bless America" without removing "Heart of Dixie" or "Stars Fell on Alabama." There have been efforts in recent years by some black lawmakers to remove "Heart of Dixie" from car tags because they view it as a reference to the segregated South.
"This ("God Bless America") doesn't have anything to do with anything already on the tag," Hurst said. "Here we are in the times of 9/11, times of war and terrorists. It's a time for the nation to pull together and I think this is something that reflects how the majority of Alabamians feel."
Carol Moore of Columbiana, president of the Atheist Law Center, said her organization would oppose Hurst's bill.
"It is entirely inappropriate to have it plastered over license plates. We have enough on license plates now that we don't need something else," Moore said. "We have a lot more serious problems in Alabama than what's on the license plates. We need to make sure our children in public schools can read what's already on the license plates."
Hurst's bill won't be the only measure introduced in the regular session, which begins in January, that calls for putting God's name in a public place.
Rep. Jimmy Martin, D-Clanton, said he plans to reintroduce a bill that would permit the posting of "In God We Trust" on classroom walls in Alabama public schools. Martin said he hasn't seen Hurst's bill, but likes the idea.
"The concept of 'God Bless America' sounds like a good idea," Martin said.
The bill to post "In God We Trust" on classroom walls has been introduced the last two years, but hasn't received final passage.
Martin said he believes putting the words on classroom walls will help restore discipline in schools.
"Anybody who recognizes God will be respectful of everyone," Martin said.
Maybe he sees it as a way to fund the Anti-Christian Liberals' Union.
Do keep in mind that,as the result of a Supreme Court decision (in the 70's,I think),it's legal for anyone with such a slogan on their plate to obscure it (with masking tape,for example).
The case in question was some pacifist who objected to the slogan on New Hampshire's plates "Live Free Or Die"... a slogan which is *still* on their plates (it's also the state motto).
Ah, more displays of public piety using "vain repetitions" from hypocrites.
Make it happen! The looney toons at the ACLU will be all up in arms over this one.
Ironically enough, I once saw a car with the "Live Free or Die" NH plate, but it was a vanity which read "LIBERAL", and was surrounded by the usual moronic leftist bumper stickers.
Yeah, this could happen!... for a few days, until the inevitable "Judge In California Rules Alabama License Plates 'Unconstitutional'" headline appears.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
The Dims would rather have the distasteful (to them) "God Bless America" on the plates rather than have the horribly distasteful (to them) "Heart of Dixie" on the plates. Of course once this happens they can get the ACLU to intervene in the courts to have the "God Bless America" plates outlawed. Make sense now?
that slogon is better than the one they have now, "Stars fell on"
I am thinking WORMWOOD :P
I like the "Stars Fell on Alabama" but I like "Heart of Dixie" more. I would rather they just sent out a magnetic "God Bless America" ribbon and include a "Support the Troops" ribbon. This would allow us to instantly recognize a compatriot or a democrat by the car decorations. As it is now, you see some people may be too poor to properly decorate their truck.
I like it.
Screw the atheists.
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