NJ woman's rejected atheist license plate violates First Amendment, lawsuit argues

[rug]

By Don E. Woods/South Jersey Times
on April 17, 2014 at 6:39 PM, updated April 18, 2014 at 1:55 AM

MAURICE RIVER TWP. — A Cumberland County woman argues that the state Motor Vehicle Commission’s alleged denial of issuing an “8theist” license plate violated her First Amendment rights, according to a lawsuit filed on Thursday.

Shannon Morgan, of the Leesburg section in Maurice River Township, identifies herself as an atheist, according to the lawsuit, and attempted to personalize her license plate to read "8theist."

“There is nothing offensive about being atheist,” Morgan said. “I should be able to express my sincerely held beliefs with a license plate just like everyone else.”

The lawsuit was filed in federal court.

http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2014/04/new_jersey_woman_files_lawsuit_over_atheist_license_plate.html

[JimDandy]

1. So NJ didn't object to her request for a plate that said Baptist

but they objected to 8theist. She's going to win her case.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. I think she's nuts asking for her car to be trashed...

with an atheist plate, but that's her business and the state has no business refusing it.

[genwah]

3. I wouldn't sell her car insurance. God's gentle people have too many insecurities...

[goldent]

4. It is incredible she has to make a federal case of this

It seems obvious there is no reason to deny that plate, and you'd think this would be quickly resolved in the NJ state gov. It makes me wonder if there is more to the story but I can't imagine what it would be.

[nil desperandum]

5. Vanity plates

This is what happens when bureaucrats think it makes good sense to sell vanity plates to raise a few bucks....it would make more sense to never allow vanity plates at all from a government perspective as everyone is forced to use the same simple numbering scheme.

Once they decide to allow vanity plates it becomes a crap shoot as to what is and what is not "offensive"....lots of folks are easily offended these days...and too thin-skinned to react appropriately to the free speech rights of other people.

Everyone loves the first amendment until they see or hear something they don't like or agree with, then they don't love it quite so much.

I hope that due process serves up the correct response in this case, but I am not convinced that our justice system actually delivers justice.

[cbayer]

9. Really good points. I'm not a fan of vanity plates either.

[LostOne4Ever]

6. Ehhhh I would not think that theists would be very tasty

But that is just me.

[Brettongarcia]

7. For years, states allowed "Choose Life" or Pro Life license plates; but not "Pro Choice" plates.

But the Feds began busting these cases of license plate discrimination recently:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012/12/10/unconstitutional-judge-bans-ncs-choose-life-anti-abortion-license-plates/

[cbayer]

8. While there isn't anything at all objectionable about this particular plate,

are there other places where a line should be drawn?

What if a Westboro member wants to put one of their hateful slogans on a plate? What is someone want to denigrate or mock a believer or non-believers on their plate?

I'm not a fan of vanity plates at all. They are distracting and often a sign of classism, but if you are going to a allow them, then the guidelines should be clear.