← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Hilaire Belloc
Thread ID: 8041 | Posts: 5 | Started: 2003-07-10
2003-07-10 21:54 | User Profile
[url=http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030710/ap_on_re_us/choose_life_plates_8]http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...e_life_plates_8[/url]
Judge Blocks La. Specialty License Plates Thu Jul 10, 4:52 AM ET Add U.S. National - AP to My Yahoo!
By CAIN BURDEAU, Associated Press Writer
NEW ORLEANS - Veterans, conservationists and colleges say they are on the losing end of a decision by a federal judge who blocked Louisiana's specialty license plate system because it excluded abortion-rights advocates from getting a plate.
U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval ruled Tuesday that Louisiana's system for specialty plates violates the First Amendment because it allows the anti-abortion "Choose Life" plates but does not offer one for the opposing view.
"If the state built a convention hall for speech and then only allowed people to speak with whom they agreed with their message, the state's actions would be in contravention of the First Amendment," Duval wrote. "There is no significant difference in the case before the court."
The state had argued unsuccessfully that the law for issuing specialty plates was a protected state right and not covered by free-speech protections.
Louisiana has nearly 150 varieties of specialty plates that sell for $25 to raise money for groups and causes including universities, wildlife conservation and the Girl Scouts.
Duval blocked the sale of "Choose Life" plates in 2000, saying the law was "very likely an unconstitutional restraint of free speech," but the tags ââ¬â showing a cartoon of a pelican carrying a baby ââ¬â went on sale last fall after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (news - web sites) overturned his ruling.
The plaintiffs then challenged the entire system of issuing specialty plates.
Motorists who already have specialty tags will be able to keep them, and the order does not block personalized plates allowing drivers to pick their own numbers or words. He also did not object to special plates for handicapped motorists.
Attorney General Richard Ieyoub said the state will appeal.
"It seems like a weird decision to take away the free speech rights of everybody else who has a specialty plate," said Steven Johnston, spokesman for Gov. Mike Foster.
William Rittenberg, an attorney for the plaintiffs, noted the ruling does not ban specialty plates, but merely the way the state now authorizes them. He said the state could pass a law similar to other states which allow specialty plates to be issued if a certain number of people request them.
2003-07-11 04:17 | User Profile
William Rittenberg, an attorney for the plaintiffs...
Bergs, Steens, and Witzes all, I'll wager.
U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval ruled Tuesday that Louisiana's system for specialty plates violates the First Amendment because it allows the anti-abortion "Choose Life" plates but does not offer one for the opposing view.
That's simply one of the stupidest court arguments I've ever heard; the first amendment isn't about requiring government to give equal time to all arguments, but restraining them from censoring speech--which is what this ruling does. I wonder how many of America's judges have actually read and understood the Constitution they're supposed to be upholding.
Also, who would want a "Choose Death" license plate?
2003-07-11 17:40 | User Profile
If the other side wants an abortion rights plate, they can go through the proces of getting one. It can't be too hard to do, given the massive number of special plates most states have available.
On a semi-related note, these special license plates are getting out of hand. They are licence plates, everyone, not ways for you to express yourselves. Those who want to send a message can get bumper stickers. I'd be happy if states went back to one plate style for everyone. One solid color for the number, another solid color for the background. No more of this fancy artsy crap.
2003-07-11 21:28 | User Profile
** Drakmal wrote:
Also, who would want a "Choose Death" license plate? **
Oh, don't you know, Drakmal? Ours in now a society where gentile baby deaths are OK.
But if it is a Jew who might die, via a 'hate crime,' then that's NOT OK. Ya gotta have special laws to protect The Special, Shiny People.
And who created this situation above? Yer right -- Mormons! :D
[hmmmm, hmmmm -- humming the love theme from "Fiddler On The Roof" ]
2003-07-12 03:30 | User Profile
I still prefer "If I were a rich man" from Fiddler on the Roof.
:lol: :lol: :lol: