South Carolina Got Sued
LICENSE PLATE BILL LANDS PALMETTO STATE IN COURT
FITSNews – June 20, 2008 – In a move that was about as surprising as the tide coming in this morning, South Carolina has in fact been sued over its latest Christian-themed license plate. The lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court yesterday by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, claims that South Carolina’s new “I BELIEVE” license plate “improperly advances and endorses religion” and “discriminates against citizens of other faiths.”
S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford allowed the license plate bill to become law two weeks ago – despite being warned in advance about the impending lawsuit threat. Sanford didn’t sign the bill, mind you, but he catered to right-wing evangelicals by not vetoing it, either – the classic Pontius Pilate approach.
Now it will be left to South Carolina taxpayers to defend the license plates in court, which could end up costing us hundreds of thousands of dollars before it’s all said and done … so yeah, it’s good to know we’re spending our tax dollars wisely.
As we’ve written in the past, these specialty license plates have absolutely no business on our roads. All they do is confuse police and create unnecessary drama and division amongst the people. Christians already have an “In God We Trust” specialty license plate in South Carolina, which we think is similarly offensive to non-Christians, so why do they need yet another license plate? Is “In God We Trust” not good enough?
Comments
By PalmettoCPA on June 20th, 2008 at 8:14 am
I agree completely. I’d even go so far as to argue that “I BELIEVE” is a much weaker statement of faith than “In God We Trust”. To me, trust requires much more from one than just “belief”.
For example: I “believe” Sic Willie exists, but I would not “trust” him around my daughter.
Oh well, I suppose we need to have SOMETHING for the evangelicals and atheists to get worked up over, it’s not like there are any other important issues facing our state right now.
By Natasha on June 20th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Hey, at least it wasn’t Sic Willie getting sued this time… ;) Happy honeymoon!
By rick on June 20th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Good thing I know some troopers, the concept of them being confused over a license plate fills me with fear and makes me want to want my own license plate “don’t call me bad names, bro”. Cause if I believed that these enforcers of the myriad of insipid laws and regulations were truly confused I’d have to blame it once again on the Government School System. Let’s try this: If you have the money to waste on an affinity plate and choose to have any slogan you wish printed on that plate…then thats you’re right as a US citizen and a bunch of lawyers need not get involved. Ya know, maybe a little of Rodney goes a long way “Can’t we all get along”. In truth the only winners in this game of “I’m offended” is the bunch of Land Sharks cruising to make a dime on everybodies selected pity party. Land Sharks…the only job never down sized, right sized, or just plain elimenated for greed and avarice…..yea, yea I know “until I need one”.
By CL on June 20th, 2008 at 9:21 am
I went to the gallery of specialty plates offered in SC and we have one that says “Working for the Wild Turkey”. How did I not know about this? How can I get one that says “Working for the Jack Daniels”?
By FWFIV on June 20th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Just in case that is not enough-
The state is also charging much less for the “I believe” plate than other personalized/message plates currently available. So we are basically subsidizing that plate over others.
By Alonzo Fyfe on June 20th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Actually, as an atheist with an interest in morality (I write a blog called Atheist Ethicist), I do not have any problem with the “I Believe” specialty plates. Those who purchase it and display it are making a personal statement about their own beliefs.
I would object if the South Carolina legislature blocked others from making similar statements of their beliefs, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
On the other hand, “In God We Trust” paints a much different moral picture – the difference being the term ‘we’ rather than ‘I’. A government sign that says “we trust in God” is like a governmetn sign that says “We are white people.”
Some of us are white, but the government has no right saying that “we” are white. Some of us trust in God, but the government has just as little right to say “we” trust in God.
By Crooner on June 20th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Regardless of where one comes down on this issue personally, it’s just bad business to embark on a path that is going to get you sued and cost a bunch of money to defend.
By Snead on June 20th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Hopefully this means Andre will be donating that $4,000 in start-up money to the legal defense fund I’m sure Christian South Carolinians will set up in order to offset the legal costs John Q. will have to fund with his taxes.
By rick on June 20th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Where did the information come that this plate will cost less than others? If so I agree that the people are unfairly subsidizing this plate and further recommend that all vanity plates cost the same.
While I fail to care what is on your license plate, I do care that I’m charged with supporting your opinion.
Crooner, that is what is wrong with America, we’re so afraid of being sued that we have allowed the Land Sharks to transform America into a “scared of the dark”, “I’m offended” land. Where children played in empty sandlots, now they’re padlocked and have signage prohibiting entrance. We the people bought into the idea that we’re entitled to a risk free existence…..wrong, you live in fear, I’d rather enjoy the opportunity to be free and have a good time. Just remember, the constitution gave us opportunity to live free, we just need to have the balls to not allow our freedom to be removed by the cowards among us. We’re entitled to nothing beyond what our founders won for us with their blood and sweat and what we are willing to stand up for.
By HorseFeathers! on June 20th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
It’s beginning to look like ALL SPECIALTY PLATES are a ***recipe for disaster.***
With all the porcupine bristles on display out there on the road already — Good Grief!!! —
Everybody turn in your freakin’ plates to the nearest DMV by Monday, June 23, 5 PM EST. You will be allowed [one!] vote online today by 7 PM EST on your new, state-issued plate:
Black and White, No Pictures, Symbols, Logos, Funny Fonts
or
Black and White, No Pictures, Symbols, Logos, Funny Fonts
…………
And PalmettoCPA, the Sic One’s wedding bells protected special daughters everywhere. He should have gotten married on Father’s Day–a gift to fathers everywhere. Oh — that’s right– he did!!!! :)
By HorseFeathers! on June 20th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
P.S. The criminal element LOVES all the specialty plates == and use the ‘plate switching maneuver’ with great dexterity. I had a neighbor who was quite fond of the tactic. But we won’t go into that, because…well, just because!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Silence Dogood on June 20th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
FWFIV,
You stated “So we are basically subsidizing that plate over others.” I think you are waaaaay off base, I frankly am pushing my Sen. and Rep. to add additional language for these babies to be paid for with vouchers if you choose to get the ‘I Believe’ plate.
O.K…O.K. I’m being sarcastic again.
By Snead on June 20th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Rick, the cost of the plate is reduced so that the money will only go toward recouping the state for producing it. From the NYT: “Mr. Sanford told the department to charge people just enough to reimburse the state for the cost to produce the plate, estimated at $4 to $6, and to not allow any organization to benefit from its sales.”
By food4thought on June 20th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
or better still: “Nuke a Gay Whale for Jesus”
takes care of most of the neochristian political agenda
By t.paine on June 20th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Its all God’s name in vain. And the bumper sticker 30 years ago read: Nuke the Gay Baby Whales for Christ. That way you cover all the interest groups of the time.
By formerredneck on June 20th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
They should have included snakes, burning crosses, white-robed Klansmen, and the Confederate flag. I used to live on the Georgia/SC border. Anybody who thinks the Civil War is over should spend a couple years in downtown Savannah, North Charleston, or Columbia.
By don on June 20th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I just put my plastic Jesus up on the dash where he belongs.
By what needs 2 happen on June 20th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Nothing will get their hillbilly undergutchies in a twist faster than a license plate paying homage to Mohammed
By Foxybloggers on June 20th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Is Thomas Jefferson rolling over in his grave yet?
By thinker on June 20th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.†[Matthew 6:5-6]