Forget that lighthouse plate you were about to order, you can take your personal view on abortion to the street now in Virginia. Governor Tim Kaine, who also happens to be chair of the DNC, signed legislation to legalize license plates with the phrase "Choose Life." And it's decidedly not a Trainspotting reference.
Though not the first state to offer pro-life plates, Virginia's law has incurred the wrath of pro-choice groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL/Pro-Choice, who sent more than 17,000 emails and 200 calls to the DNC urging the governor to veto the bill. But Kaine, who personally opposes abortion but politically supports it, said it's not about reproductive rights; it's about freedom of speech.
Besides, he's told Planned Parenthood it can make its own license plate. Choose Choice?
Bric's
Twenty8twelve
Schuh
MS has a Choose Life license plate. Whatever.
1This seems to be a bad idea all around - what issue will cause a state to draw the line? Bumper stickers are bad enough.
2Kaine does have a point that Planned Parenthood can petition for their own plate. You just have to get 'x' number of signatures. I don't think the state legislature will turn down an request for a license plate if you have a petition with 50,000 signatures (the number for MS). I mean, they get $30 extra bucks per plate.
But it would be rather interesting to see if something like Pedophiles Across America (I pray I'm just making that up) petitioned for a license plate.
3Whatever. Lots of states have lots of random license plates.If you're not pro-life, then don't buy that plate.
4I think Kaine might the right decision here.
It's ironic that the same people who are standing the street holding up planned parenthood signs are the same ones trying to ban this license plate.
Free speech doesn't apply only when you support the position being advocated...
5These license plates exist in other states- what is the big deal?
6I thought pro choicers were all about freedoms?
I never even think about these things - I just looked up California's plates and there are a couple offered that support the arts council, colleges, kids & parks. I never noticed them before.
I'd prefer states not get into issue plates, just because problems are likely to come up - but I really don't know why people feel they have to plaster everything they think everywhere.
7The issues on the plates earn money for the causes.
8It is not only a way of showcasing what you believe but it is also a way to donate to something you believe in. Child abuse license plates were very common where I used to live. Just because you may not believe in the particular cause- it is another avenue to raise awareness and money.
florida has a ton of these and as i just learned today, we have billboards telling me that life begins 18 days after conception. to be honest, i dont really care if someone wants to express themselves, but why a freakin license plate, wouldnt someones money be better served preventing abortions in the first place?
9...aaaand now I've got the Trainspotting monologue in my head.
10If people want to be trashy and take this fight to the level of license plating, let them. I definitely won't be responding back. I'll save my argument for people with words and statements worth my time.
11The standard, default DC license plates comes with "Taxation without Representation" on it. That is definitely an issue plate, and it's not something that we even choose.
I never thought of putting a message on a license plate as trashy before. Paris Hilton? Yes. License plate messages? Not as much.
12Pop, I've always liked the DC plates
13I dont think it is trashy at all??? I have seen prevent animal cruelty, stop child abuse, etc I doubt anyone would think that is trashy!
It is such close mindedness and hypocrisy to create an uproar regarding this just because it is an issue you may not believe in. These types of charity license plates been around for years.
No difference between this and bumper stickers- except these license plates actually earn a lot of money for a cause!
14except these license plates actually earn a lot of money for a cause!
dont you think the money would be better spent going straight to the actual cause?
15Oh I'm not a fan of bumper stickers either, I think it's all a bit silly, no matter what they say or for whose cause. Now I do think the school award bumper stickers are kind of cute.
16Its earning money & creating awareness- it also does not cost money for the particular cause. Creating awareness is an essential part in helping causes receive more attention and money.
17Why would that create a problem? You are required to get license plates- it is a win win- spend a bit more- support your cause and create awareness.
I don't think the issues are trashy and I'll admit I picked a word harsher than I intended. I find trying to make a statement by advertising and reducing a cause to a two phrase statement on your vehicle to be pointless. I also don't think the issue of abortion needs "awareness", like smaller causes may
. And considering the delicate nature of the issue, I find it particularly obnoxious.
18I always chose the environmental one when I lived in AZ- $25 and $17 goes to the cause. Personally, I think it is a great, free way to receive donations. Honestly the license plate was very "pretty" too Id get asked all the time how to get one- I doubt many cared that it was going to a cause but who cares- it helped the cause. So while yes a phrase may seem pointless- it catches attention- its what marketers and promoters spend their lives doing!
Id get the Pro Life one in a heartbeat- if I have to get a license plate why not have it contribute to something I believe wholeheartedly in?
19I do not think since an issue is "delicate" means one should only support it behind closed doors.
The problem I would anticipate is that someday a group along the lines of the hopefully fictitious Pedophiles Across America will want a plate and there'll be a fight over which issues can be supported.
20I think that states would probably have the right to refuse license plates that promote activities that violate their own laws (as any attempt to act on one's pedophilia would), so I'm not too worried about that particular danger. Other than that, free speech all the way. Have any license plate message you want.
21I always thought that using your vehicle as an extension of your own personal likes/dislikes, political views, memorial to a dead person, advertisement, etc was tacky and I will never do it.
22"The problem I would anticipate is that someday a group along the lines of the hopefully fictitious Pedophiles Across America will want a plate and there'll be a fight over which issues can be supported."
That is a potential problem. Because I can't imagine many people wanting to see something like that on a license plate.
23I've seen hundreds of plates with some kind of message....environmental, kids first, wildlife refuge, DC's famous Taxation w/o Representation....this is America, we have freedom of speech.
24I think it's tacky and like Steph said could open the door to other less desirable groups wanting a plate in their honor. And I don't think abortion needs a license plate in order for people to be aware of it.
25Sadly, a Choose Choice plate wouldn't be comparable to a Choose Life plate, as it would be more likely to cause the car to get vandalized and destroyed. It feels like there's a big amount of extremists with pro-life views that make expressing your pro-choice views a dangerous thing.
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