stepping ever backward, Fl. wants a cross on license plates

[ensho]

http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/493547.html


Officials believe new tag should contain cross
Florida lawmakers may approve a new license that includes a cross and the words `I Believe.'


Even though Florida now has more than 100 specialized license tags, the Republican-controlled Legislature may soon add one more: a colorful license plate that features the words ''I Believe'' set among a resplendent sunrise and the image of a cross in front of stained-glass window.

Florida already has tags that feature manatees, the Challenger space shuttle, panthers, and football teams. In 1999, lawmakers approved a controversial ''Choose Life'' tag that was seen by some critics as promoting a religious anti-abortion message and was initially challenged in the courts.

time to give something to motorists who care about their faith, not their favorite football team.

''They may not be into the manatee, they may not be into Challenger,'' Bullard said. ``That segment, which is a large segment of the population, can now get a tag that they like and can express their beliefs.''

Sen. Mike Fasano, a New Port Richey Republican who is sponsoring a measure that would create four different plates -- including the ''I Believe'' tag as well as a lighthouse tag and a ''In God We Trust'' plate -- said he saw no problem with letting motorists decide if they want to pay the extra $25 to buy a special tag.
-snip-
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meanwhile, the state has been deconstructed and a new neo con reality has reared it's head.

(thankfully South Beach is hot and beats on; and Key West will adjust your attitude, lower your blood pressure.)

[hobbit709]

1. On a state issued license plate?

WTF is it with these idiots that refuse to understand what separation of church and state means.
You can bet they would have a major holy cow if other religions demanded their symbols on a license plate too.

[LeftinOH]

2. Aren't license plate frames, stickers and Jesus fish enough..???

[jmowreader]

5. Actually...no they're not

I'm waiting for the Ultimate Automotive Expression of Faith to come through my front door: a full vehicle wrap with a Christian theme. So far it hasn't. I think it's the $4000 we charge.

But you get some of these people who are Really Big Jesus Fans, and they cover the whole back of their cars with Adhesive-Backed Expressions of Faith. They'll definitely get these plates, assuming they live in Florida.

[jmowreader]

3. The quickest way to derail this

Get the Florida Democratic Party to call the Florida governor's office and inform them that if this bill gets signed, the Democrats will announce that Governor Crist "raised your taxes." I can't see why not--the fucking Repukes did the same shit when Clinton was running for president. Remember "he raised your taxes 3000 times"? And then it turned out that most of it was shit like a dollar increase in the price of a fishing license, or these kinds of license plates.

However...as far as I can tell no one is being FORCED to buy these plates, the state can use the money and people will like them. Sure. Why not?

[tkmorris]

17. You really don't see a problem here?

The state is considering issuing a plate celebrating Christian beliefs, while not offering any plates celebrating other beliefs. This is a de facto state sponsorship of the Christian religions.

Why not indeed.

[uppityperson]

4. At least you'd know which cars are up for grabs after the Rapture.

[ensho]

8. lol good one

nt

[ourbluenation]

6. fine by me, as long as I can get the flying spaghetti monster on mine. n/t

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. As a Christian myself, I find these

LOOK HOW MUCH I LOVE JESUS, YOU SUCKERS! signs offensive.

It's not a contest. Sometimes I feel like making up my own bumpersticker which says (and maybe only older DUers will get the reference) "Jesus always liked you best."

[ensho]

9. lol I get it

nt

[RaleighNCDUer]

10. Does Florida require front and back plates?

In NC the question is simpler, because the state issued plate is only required in back, and any private plate can be put on the front, making it, essentially, a metal bumper sticker.

Though I am an atheist, I really see no problem with it - it is a choice, and extra expense for those who make that choice, and is not present on ALL state plates. The constitution says the state cannot promote or prohibit religious expression. If it was to be put on ALL plates, the way "in god we trust" is put on ALL money, that would be a clear violation of the establishment clause. If it is only an option for those who particularly want it, I don't see a violation.

ON EDIT: Do they also offer a Star of David, a crescent moon, or other religious symbols? How about FSM? I'd love to have a state-issued Flying Spaghetti Monster plate.

[RebelOne]

16. Only back plates. At least that was the case when I lived there.

[kdmorris]

18. Still the same

I still live here and it's just a back plate required.

[KG]

11. yeah, coz xtains in america have no other avenue to express their belief than a car tag

:eyes:

[tanyev]

12. Whose brilliant idea was it to put extra crap on license plates anyway?

I don't care how worthy the cause and I don't care how pretty it looks. It's getting harder and harder to read the numbers and letters for which the plate exists.

[Dr. Strange]

13. So this $25 is like a Christian tax...

albeit voluntary.

[noonwitch]

14. I like the way you put that.

There are more important church/state issues than this one.

[Jokerman]

15. "In God We Trust" on an Indiana plate for no additional charge.

All other specialty plates in this state have an add-on charge but if you're so insecure about your religion that you want to wear it on your plate, that one is free.

[Juche]

20. They try to talk you into it too

My older brother, when he went to get his plates had the worker try to talk him into the in god we trust plates. It may just be that one worker.

However, when I was a diehard atheist and had a bumper sticker that says "god is just pretend" it got ripped off at least twice. I had to keep buying them.

[Stinky The Clown]

19. Dumbfuckistan

Not so much a place as a state of mind.