Posted on 03/14/2002 3:27:40 PM PST by JediGirl
A US man must get rid of his number plate because it reads, "ATHEIST."
Steven Miles says his right of self expression is being trampled on.
But the state of Florida has declared the number plate "obscene or objectionable." It is refusing to re-issue it after receiving 10 complaints.
Mr Miles, 55, from Gainesville, Florida, has had the licence plate for 16 years. He is vice president of the group, Atheists of Florida.
But he has now been told by the state's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, that the personalised plate is on the department's blacklist, along with swear words and slang words describing certain body parts.
Mr Miles said: "It's kind of disconcerting to know that the United States is based on freedom of expression, yet in actuality, it's quite restrictive."
Others have reacted strongly to the plate since Mr Miles first screwed it to his Isuzu in 1986, reports the St Petersburg Times.
"I had a wrench thrown at me in Jacksonville about 10 years ago. It went right over the hood," he said. Another time, "someone surreptitiously tore up my tag and threw it in the bushes. I put a frame and a plastic cover on it after that."
He intends to fight the banning order with the backing of the US Civil Liberties Union.
Story filed: 22:11 Thursday 14th March 2002
Ah! That is what the First Amendment was put there for. To protect speach that some would find objectentable. Why have an amendment to protect "speach" otherwise? Hmmm?
So, if the State has put itself in business as a purveyor of "vanity" license plates in order to raise money then they have to give "equal protection" (14th Amendment) to everyone. Most especially things that offend some people, or else why "protect" it in the first place?
"How 'bout "THERAPY"?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Nope. That'll never fly...It's "THERAPIST" or nuttin'..
Amen. Good point.
Read fellow freepers!
Yeah....lol, I was trying to figure out why you were telling me to grow up.
Moron. It's not restricting speech. He can print a big bumper sticker that says "athiest" if he wants to.
Most bumper stickers are more distracting than personalized license plates. People should be banned from using cell phones and eating while they're driving too right? You just contradicted yourself, btw. You justify getting rid of a personalized license plate because it might distract people but it's cool if he prints out a big bumper sticker. Good job.
The stronger argument would be under the aegis of equal protection.
An argument could be made that the Constitution does confer freedoms upon the people as opposed to rights. However in general terms it is usually referred to as rights.
"but the source of these rights is God according to the Declaration of Independence"
However, if I recall correctly, the Declaration does not carry any legal weight. It was simply an instrument that was used to declare our intent to not be under British rule any longer.
"Would a license plate that says "Jew-hater", "God H8s fags" or some other non-profane but objectionable phrase also be acceptable?"
Like with all freedoms, there are some restrictions to them. Like the restriction that one does not have the right to yell FIRE in a crowded theater, where a fire does not actually exist.
I would think that this would come under some restriction that prohibits one from making statements that could be construed as intending to elicit a violent response.
"Maybe I just don't get why it matters either way."
Anytime we start letting the government become overly intrusive on our rights, it matters
One man's cheap shot is another man's depleted-uranium antitank round.
(or are those one in the same:)
Why don't you find some way to criticize what she says rather than launching a personal attack?
The only juvenile discourse here is coming from you.
Is your faith so weak the very existence of atheists offends you? You can't handle knowing there are people who don't agree with you? You want everyone else to believe in your God, just so you don't have to feel like you could possibly be wrong about it? Pathetic.
If you can't handle free discourse of ideas, maybe you should stop coming here.
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