Federal judge rules against SC's 'Choose Life' plates

WIS-TV ^ | 12/31/02 | AP

[PJeffQ]

Federal judge rules against SC's 'Choose Life' plates

(Columbia-AP) Dec. 31, 2002 - A federal judge has ruled South Carolina's anti-abortion license plates are unconstitutional. The plates include the slogan "Choose Life."

US District Judge William Bertelsman says the license plates violate the First Amendment, because they give anti-abortion advocates a forum to express their beliefs, while abortion rights supports have no license plate of their own.

A spokesman for the attorney general's office says the state plans to appeal the decision to Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia. Spokesman Robb McBurney says he's hopeful the state will win in the end.

Bertelsman's decision differs from a ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, which said Louisiana abortion rights advocates had no standing to sue that state over its anti-abortion plate.

posted 1:24am by Chris Rees

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

while abortion rights supports have no license plate of their own.

Couldn't they go with "Choose Death"?

[M Kehoe]

US District Judge William Bertelsman says the license plates violate the First Amendment, because they give anti-abortion advocates a forum to express their beliefs, while abortion rights supports have no license plate of their own.

I wonder how brain-dead people walk around, eat, etc., let alone practice law, and make it to the bench.

5.56mm

[Timesink]

What about people in the middle? I can't have a "do what you want and let God sort it out" plate? Waaaah!

[big'ol_freeper]

How do these morons get on the bench. Violates the first amendment...where did he get that? That is a BIGTIME stretch.

[hardhead]

Nero fiddles while Rome burns. Meanwhile, another 40,000 babies die each day.

[mwl1]

Let me guess... this brain-dead judge is a Clinton or Carter appointee.

[glock rocks]

... or how bout

Suck Babies Brains Out

[realpatriot]

Amazing. So there won't be a "Choose Life" plate until the pro-aborts come up with a "Choose Death" plate?

Here we have a "Ducks Unlimited" plate which I now think should be unconstitutional until the oppesing groups come up with a "Ducks Limited" plate.

Where the ((**&&^ does it end?

[jsraggmann]

It's easy, they go to work for the federal govt.

[glock rocks]

Q: what do you call a lawyer with an iq below 50?

A: your honor.

[Experiment 6-2-6]

THAT'S NOT TRUE!!!!

Abortion Rights types can do their own license plates that say "Kill everything without remorse or guilt"...

Of course, they might get ticketed or even arrested.. tsk, tsk, all the problems one has to endure while standing up for their morals..

Meega, Nala Kweesta!

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I'll bet if I went in there and had a license plate depicting Barney Frank having sex with Captain Kangaroo, they would be compelled to allow it on free speech grounds. This is how the libs work. They get their outrageous stuff approved due to their right to free speech. They shoot down conservatives' stuff because allowing it would be giving out special treatment. I say South Carolina sucks.

[Mr. K]

figures...

HEY ON A SIDE NOTE: I AM PLANNING ON BRINGING A LAW SUIT AGAINST CHILD "PROTECTIVE" SERVICES IN NEW YORK STATE- I CANT FIND A "LAWYER" TO HELP ME.

ANY ONE KNOW HOW TO BEGIN DOING THIS MYSELF???

[PJeffQ]

From http://air.fjc.gov/servlet/uGetInfo?jid=162
Bertelsman, William Odis
Born 1936 in Cincinnati, OH

Federal Judicial Service:
U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky
Nominated by Jimmy Carter on October 11, 1979, to a new seat created by 92 Stat. 1629; Confirmed by the Senate on November 26, 1979, and received commission on November 27, 1979. Served as chief judge, 1991-1998. Assumed senior status on February 1, 2001.

Education:
Xavier University, Ohio, A.B., 1958

University of Cincinnati College of Law, J.D., 1961

Professional Career:
Private practice, Newport, Kentucky, 1962-1979
U.S. Army Captain, 1963-1964
Lecturer, University of Cincinnati College of Law, 1965-1972
Adjunct professor of law, Salmon P. Chase College of Law, 1989-


Race or Ethnicity: White

Gender: Male

[Mo1]

US District Judge William Bertelsman says the license plates violate the First Amendment, because they give anti-abortion advocates a forum to express their beliefs, while abortion rights supports have no license plate of their own.

Did I just read that correctly??

HELLO Mr. Judge, what do you think you just did?? ..

[PJeffQ]

SC doesnt suck...
that was a federal judge not from here...

[hardhead]

A Ducks Unlimited blue plate special sounds good. If you roast the duck on one of those chicken racks they're not as greasy.

[M Kehoe]

U.S. Army Captain, 1963-1964

I have never heard of an officer serving just one year.

5.56mm

[goldstategop]

Who appointed Federal Judge William Bertelsman God? Bill Clinton? If he's a Democrat appointee the ruling doesn't surprise me although I expect his idiotic ruling to be overturned on appeal by the Fourth Circuit. Its not consonant with South Carolina values.