or, free speech
withers....
State looks to pull anti-Bush license plate
By Kevin Woster, The Rapid City Journal
RAPID CITY -- Heather Moriah loves the personalized license plates on her silver Prius encouraging the impeachment of President George W. Bush.
But somebody doesn’t agree. And that somebody complained to the state. Now, the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles is trying to recall the plates -- which read MPEACHW. And if Moriah doesn’t turn them in voluntarily, the state might send law-enforcement officers to pick them up.
... Division of Motor Vehicles director Deb Hillmer said Thursday that the law clearly gives the state authority to recall the plates and have them forcibly removed if necessary. And although only one person complained about Moriah’s political statement, that’s all it takes to recall a set of vanity plates, Hillmer said.
“I’m following the letter of the law,” she said. “It’s offensive to someone and not in good taste and decency. And the plates are the property of the state of South Dakota.”
Well this certainly is a load of BS, and to top it off, the DMV (thought police) now insists:
“This was one that we apparently missed when it came through originally, and we received a complaint from an individual that found it offensive,” she said, declining to identify the individual or provide the contents of the complaint. “I don’t think we ever would have issued it if we’d have picked up on what it was inferring.”
Well, where to begin?
Should she hire the ACLU? Insist she is honoring a dear relative by the name of M. PEACH W?
Should South Dakotans call the DMV and complain about how offended they are by each and every vanity plate they see?
I see a great opportunity here to yet again make an example of the state which tried to outlaw all abortions.
Speaking of which, the reader comment dated May 04, 2007 10:04 AM: right below the story reads:
"the gentleman who arrived from oregon and had horrible abortion picts on the side of his vehicle where my 3 yr old son could see, that was free speech and the police said there was nothing to be done about that. a woman has a license plate that is not offensive except maybe to pro bush people but that is not free speech. hello.........does this make sense to anyone? get real, leave the woman alone and find a more worthwhile project to worry about. "
UPDATE: Many great comments, and I want to add something from the article, as well as make some more commentary of my own:
Heather Moriah has indeed contacted the ACLU, and Rapid City attorney Patrick Duffy, who works with Native Americans on civil rights issues, insists she has a good case:
“What this means is that every atheist can now wipe out anything that seems to refer to God,” Duffy said. “Will vanity plates for members of the armed forces suddenly be declared offensive if they offend a single pacifist? It’s absolutely preposterous.”
And, when I read the DMV spokesperson insist that 'it wouldn't matter if the political message or the president were different' I have to think that's bullshit because impeachment is, after all, just another part of the democratic process, and an exercise of the constitutional apparatus. Furthermore, this is just another indication to me of how the ranks of our government are being filled (infiltrated really) with religious zealots. Want to find Bush's steadfast 35%? Look no further than in these 'red state' government agencies.
UPDATE 2 Later diary by Sarahlee also has excellent comments, especially by Slartifartblast.