Posted on 12/31/2005 3:31:33 AM PST by rhema
The state of New York is attempting to stifle a lawsuit seeking to make “Choose Life” license plates available. Although the lawsuit cites the free speech protection of the first amendment, New York Assistant Solicitor General Jennifer Grace Miller told the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals that the statement “Choose Life” could lead to road rage.
Judge Dennis Jacobs agreed, suggesting that allowing the phrase could open the door to messages from extremist groups. “If you win, then white supremacist organizations and the Ku Klux Klan can have license plates,” said Judge Jacobs. “There'd be a lot of road rage following that.”
"This case should be of great interest and concern to all New Yorkers, whether they are pro-life or not, because New York has always vigorously defended freedom of speech and equal treatment under the law for every citizen, not just some, " said Dr. Elizabeth Rex, President of The Children First Foundation.
"What is utterly and 'patently offensive' is that Governor Pataki, Attorney General Spitzer, and the DMV are all involved in violating the Constitution, abusing their political offices, and wasting tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars defending an absolutely egregious case of government censorship and discrimination," added Dr. Rex.
The state argued, in a written submission to the appeals court, that the Children First Foundation's plate was rejected in order “to avoid any appearance of governmental support for either side in the divisive national abortion debate.”
The New York State DMV has approved over 200 plates for organizations including labor unions, and religious organizations.
The "Choose Life" license plate originated in Florida and has been approved in 12 other states. More than 60,000 motorists have now raised over $5 million dollars to fund pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes.
If the phrase "choose life" causes you to devolve into road rage, you have no business driving a car.
I see lots of statements on bumper stickers that tick me off, does that give me excuse to offer violence to others? Cause I've been chilling until now...
how about, "Kill a Commie for Mommie", i wonder if they would allow that. NY is such a commie state. I live here and see what is going on.
Yeah, Jennifer. Put up or shut up. Exhibit A: There have been pro-life bumper stickers for decades. Please cite the number of cases where there have been accidents or other violent acts in which a pro-life bumper sticker was a contributing factor to the event.
I guess Jennifer is saying that many pro-abortion people are seriously unhinged.
Soethin' else isn't it. It is a disgrace.
Another veiled threat of violence, a method whose popularity is growing among the left. Just like Elizabeth Edwards' statement "there won't be any riots if we're elected".
The Pro-Death crowd will just have to learn how to be 'tolerant' of other viewpoints.
They allow it for Major League Baseball, INC.
But not for my company, not for yours, and not for unborn babaies.
Ding ding ding! We have a winner here. Pro abort people are ready willing and able to kill innocent children, why not road rage? It's only logical. If road rage is a problem in NY because of Choose Life license plates, there needs to be serious changes in driver's licensing procedures.
Choose life is a trigger for rage, we should all be outraged at the murder of innocents.
When I see a NOW sticker or an ACLU sticker or even a Kerry for President sticker (some of those still around) - I will admit it gets me raging a little, it just strengthens and tempers my resolve to keep fighting these friggin lefty loons.
This is just a case of the loony left attempting to cast pro-life as radicals, well I say to hell with them, let's hunt them down and burn their houses down (where did that come from) boy that rage thing can really get carried away (sarc off)
Lefty loonballs cause road rage, it is a medical fact that by the very existence of liberals it is proof that early settlers where having sex with barnyard animals.
Sadly, in Massachusetts, Stalin is probably revered as a father figure. I'm sure the libs didn't get the humor!
A similar case has been already been tested in Virginia, where a court ruled that the commonwealth had to allow the Sons of Confederate Veterans to purchase and use their own plates. Specifically, the ruling said that if a state or commonwealth allowed some plates for activist organizations, then it pretty much had to allow all. So, I suspect that New York will lose this one under the Stare Decisis standard.
I suppose "Right Power" plates are out of the question too?!? ;-)
To even consider banning a this license plate is a slap in the face to even man, woman, and child who's fought and defended the idea of America. How could anyone who is sane in the first place be offended by the phrase "Choose Life"?
It might cause road rage? Well, maybe it should!!
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