New York Says Choose Life License Plate Could Lead to "Road Rage"

LifeNews.com ^ | December 30, 2005 | Steven Ertelt

[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.

[dsc]

"there need to be serious changes in driver's licensing procedures."

For starters, how about licensing liberals to drive only on roads leading out of the country?

[HEY4QDEMS]

Sadly, in Massachusetts, Stalin is probably revered as a father figure.

True, I gotta get the hell outta here.

[dsc]

"It might cause road rage? Well, maybe it should!!"

It's bullying, plain and simple. You see it anywhere liberals raise their ugly mugs.

Years ago, I got kicked off a couple of BBSs on the grounds that my comments provoked liberals to bad behavior. Same sort of thing. Speech must be curtailed, because it drives libs into mouth-frothing convulsions.

[Shalom Israel]

how about, "Kill a Commie for Mommie", i wonder if they would allow that.

Of course not--it's obvious incitement to violence against NY state officials.

[rhema]

Fortunately for me most of the pro union idiots didn't recognize Stalin, (morons), so me and my car were safe.

They thought he was Jimmy Hoffa with a beard?

[rhema]

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...

They continue to adorn the vehicles of the sore-loser Kerry crowd.

[rhema]

If this causes road rage, someone needs to "get a life" or have a plate that says "stupid people shouldn't breed".

Maybe the obtuse pro-choicers would construe that as an ad for Planned Parenthood.

[libertylover]

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.”

I'm not in favor of these tags because I don't think tags should be political, but this statement offends the hell out of me. To compare pro-life people to the Ku Klux Klan is waaaaay out of bounds.

[poobear]

"Speech must be curtailed, because it drives libs into mouth-frothing convulsions."

This could make an interesting tag line.

Let's see if I get this straight. You can tag your car with:

Save the Whales, Protect the Florida Panther, Sea Turtles, Forests, Black Bear,....

God forbid choose to Protect a Human Life! It may cause road rage.

There.

[rhema]

Quite possible, given how intolerant liberals are when it comes to dissenting opinions. Better pass a law allowing folks to carry a concealed weapon so that folks can defend themselves from those enraged liberals.

And be sure to sport your NRA bumper sticker, a la "Owner packing heat."

[Talking_Mouse]

I would love to have one of those on my jeep. Solicitor General Jennifer Grace Miller, please, let me worry about the road rage that will be unleashed against me for daring to state my views, I'll chance it. I'm a New York driver, I know how to deal with road rage.

[Fenris6]

To be fair, they should allow abortion lovers to have a plate that says, "Choose Death"

Or:

"Pro-Choice: Will Kill for Sex"

[Fenris6]

Years ago, I got kicked off a couple of BBSs on the grounds that my comments provoked liberals to bad behavior. Same sort of thing. Speech must be curtailed, because it drives libs into mouth-frothing convulsions.

LOL. Same here.

[Bush gal in LA]

My hubby just came home the other night with the car keyed all around the whole thing, like someone had gone off the deep end. He was so angry,and I know its cause of his'' Bush /Cheney'' bumper stickers that he refuses to take off his car.The libs have gone completely insane!

[TNCMAXQ]

The pro abort lefties operate through hate and intimidation. Of course some of them will be drive to rage by pro life messages. But I think the pro life drivers are willing to take the risk.

[SkyPilot]

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 is what Liberals see as moral equivalence,; if you are against the slaughter of innocents children, you are a KKK member.

These people will find themselves in Hell someday, and only then will the clue light come on (or maybe not even then).

[SouthernFreebird]

Geez, I thought road rage was a requirement for NY drivers.

[fwdude]

Of course, the Choose Life plate doesn't necesarily even force a political opinion - only an appeal to consider the life of the unborn to women who already have the right to choose. How can you choose life if "choice" didn't already exist?

The pro-abort crowd ought to be thrilled that "choice" is invoked. But the only acceptable choice for them seems to be the destruction of the unborn.

[ml/nj]

Then why didn't they ban Gore-Lieberman bumper stickers?

ML/NJ

[JohnLongIsland]

i hear that the ny state legislature is ready to pass a law that all license plates must have smiling schmuckie schumers picture on them with the slogan murder the innocent.