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As I told you yesterday, a federal judge has ruled that the messages on “specialty license plates” in Illinois are covered under the 1st Amendment and can’t be regulated by government.
If this ruling stands, all it will take is 800 or so Illinoisans to sign up for the license plates and the secretary of state will have to make them.
So, what messages would you like to see on future specialty plates? Snark encouraged.
Late bonus question: Should Illinois do away with the specialty plates altogether? Explain.
*** UPDATE *** Zorn makes a good point. After quoting part of the judge’s decision…
(The state) argues that if the “Choose Life†message is permissible, than the state would also have to issue Ku Klux Klan or Nazi plates to avoid viewpoint discrimination. (But) the fact that speech or viewpoint is unpopular does not exempt it from First Amendment protection. Indeed, the First Amendment protects unpopular, even some hateful speech. The message conveyed by this proposed license plate is subject to First Amendment Protection.
…he writes:
In other words, this decision opens the door wide for what I’m calling “hate plates” — specialty license tags espousing any and all forms of bigotry or bile. More likely, though, we’ll see every manner of mainstream advocacy group on the right and the left wanting to use specialty plates to boost their causes and notions.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 9:30 am
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Remember the TV show Max headroom where there were TVs all over and people would vote instantly and the results broadcast. This sort of reminds me of that.
Comment by Bill Baar Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 9:45 am
“Pay to play on steroids” has a nice catchy ring to it.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 9:50 am
Testicular Virility
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 9:52 am
That’s easy. Land of Corruption.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 9:54 am
sorry, I was talking the lang e voting thing… too many windows open with the new IE browser
Comment by Bill Baar Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 9:56 am
Our Governors are bigger crooks than your Governors.
Comment by Jeff Trigg Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 9:56 am
Get In. Get yours. Get out.
Comment by Leroy Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:04 am
SOLD!
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:10 am
Land of Victims
Comment by Common sense Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:23 am
Illinois
305 2494
It’s not as Boring as you think
Comment by Just a Thoguht Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:24 am
“Our SOS Got Called on the Carpet”
Comment by If it Walks Like a Duck... Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:25 am
Or
CAPFAX ROCKS
Comment by Just a Thoguht Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:26 am
“Fire Ron Guenther”
“Rent our Governor’s Mansion”
Comment by Fire Ron Guenther Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:27 am
YELLOW DOG
Comment by Fellow Dawg Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:28 am
Save Ferris
Public Offical A
Don’t look at I didn’t vote for him
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:30 am
You could probably get 800 people easy for “Unindicted Co-Conspirator” plates.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:31 am
BUCK FLAGO
Comment by Platitudinus Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:37 am
BUYAJOB1
Comment by Snidely Whiplash Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:40 am
Getting Things Done For People…
Comment by clj Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:42 am
ILLINOIS–Business Climate Nightmare
Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:54 am
“Who Sent You?”
Comment by ZC Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:55 am
BYTE ME
Comment by Siyotanka Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 11:01 am
Corruption Eruption
Comment by zatochi Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 11:06 am
“The State Where Governors Make License Plates”
Comment by If it Walks Like a Duck... Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 11:11 am
“Legalize It.”
I’ll bet there’d be 800 plates sold by 4:20 this afternoon.
Comment by So-Called "Austin Mayor" Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 11:18 am
Ubi Est Mea?
Comment by JBC Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 11:19 am
Chicago Pizza Rules!
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 11:21 am
I believe that this poses an interesting question. Could there be a request for political candidates under this ruling such as an “Obama for President” plate. I’m sure there are 800 Illinoisians that would sign-up for this. To take it a step further, could there be an “Impeach the President” plate? I’m sure the ruling would not allow this type of speech but can someone explain where the line is of what is acceptable on a plate and what isn’t under the ruling?
Comment by QC Transplant Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 11:23 am
VANITY PLATE
Comment by publius Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 11:32 am
Illinois:
Our Debt is Bigger than Yours!
More Crooks per Capita!
Lousy Roads, Pricey Gas!
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 12:05 pm
Some great ideas already! Here’re some practical ones:
“Get off the damn phone”
“Stop reading the paper”
“Are you eating or driving”
“If you can read this, get off my tail”
“My SUV wastes more gas than your SUV”
“Next time, walk. It’s faster and healthier.”
–
Seriously, though QC raises a good question. Wanna place bets on how long it takes before the whole goofy specialty plate thing gets shut down and we’re all forced to use the same ol’ boring decapitated Lincoln head plates with the girly state name?
Cops already hate these specialty plates as it is — too hard to read the actual license number with all the other junk. This ruling is liable to make it worse.
If I’m reading the ruling right, it won’t be long before the World Church of the Creator and Westboro Baptist come rumbling through wanting their own plate. Anybody can find 800 people that won’t look at what they’re signing.
Maybe some hippies (”evil liberals”) can counter the “Choose Life” plates with “Have Sex” plates. That’d make for an interesting graphic.
Bridget can get “Bollywood Rocks” plates.
Clarify some history please: Is this all Rick Winkel’s doing? Didn’t he introduce the legislation for the university plates back in the day? (Did Illinois have any specialty plates before that?)
Welcome to a Pandora’s Box of License Plates.
Comment by NW burbs Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 12:05 pm
“Ubi Est Mea?” (courtesy of Mike Royko)
Comment by paddyrollingstone Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 12:07 pm
“I got a guy…” or GO BEARS!
Comment by Taylor Street Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 12:08 pm
The environmental plates and I’m pretty sure the domestic violence plates predate the university plates. Also, there were a large number of veterans and firefighter plates before that. And let’s not forget the politician plates…
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 12:31 pm
Don’t Blame Me I Voted Republican !
Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 12:38 pm
Not domestic violence, I mean violence prevention… I knew it was something about violence and it being bad. The blue and purple plates with the bird on it.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 1:04 pm
I’m sure that we will see plates for all three statewide established political parties in Illinois and perhaps also plates for a few new parties.
Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 1:14 pm
A LINKON WARD HACK
Comment by Pat Hickey Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 1:15 pm
Chicago, crossroads of America
I believe another reason the police hate these plates is that with the various color schemes etc. it becomes difficult for people to tell which state the plate is from as opposed to being able to say it was white with green lettering and an orange on it, which would immediately clue the police in that it was an out of state plate instead of first having to make sure IL doesn’t have any specialty plates with that design).
Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 1:18 pm
Let’s get real.
Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 1:34 pm
The posts above show how ridiculous the entire plan is.
“Disabled Vets” should get plates (beats putting a placard in the window and they deserve the respect), but the rest of them are ridiculous.
The system won’t be abolished of course. What is the point of winning an election unless you get your special plate?
Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 1:37 pm
SKEET R BYTES?
Comment by Pat Hickey Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 1:41 pm
Can the whole program. Why do license plates need to be fashion statements? If you are proud of being a firefighter/veteran/environmentalist buy a bumper sticker. As many have mentioned above, it will quickly spiral out of control when Fred Phelps gets his ‘thank god for dead soldiers’ plate. Because as soon as you deny him you draw a line that becomes discriminatory. Aside from the extra income the State gets from jacking the price way up, I see no benefit to the program for any of the parties involved.
Comment by Robbie Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 1:47 pm
Pat Hickey - Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 1:41 pm:
“SKEET R BYTES?”
In response:
I cannot believe you would accept that from your students, Pat. I remember when people from Catholic schools had standards.
It should read “Skeeter Bites.”
If you are going to make the statement, do it right.
Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 1:49 pm
Compound Noun or Simple Declarative?
Comment by Pat Hickey Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 2:03 pm
BRKN HRT
Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 2:10 pm
Can the program. Why not just have license plate holders with your fashion statement? But if we must have them how about ‘Ill in Illinois’; Was Illinois First-Now Last In Line; Screwed Outside Chicago; or in Chicago - Lincoln Who?…..or
Illinois-Proud Career Center of Patrick Fitzgerald
Comment by Belle Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 3:16 pm
I think I will be able to get 800 to sign up for a Howard Stern plate. We will put his face on it and support abortion.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 3:17 pm
“Our federal judges are nuts!”
Comment by fedup dem Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 3:18 pm
I don’t know what I’d want mine to say, but I do know I want George Ryan to make it
Comment by M.V. Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 3:35 pm
” I owe how much??”
made in Illinois by EX Gov Rod Blago
Comment by can't imagine Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 3:43 pm
“I moved to Illinois and all I got was this lousy license plate”
Comment by 1047 Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 3:47 pm
CCW NOW
Comment by Pro-Gunner Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 3:55 pm
“This space for Sale or Lease”
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 3:56 pm
Illinois Where Politicians are Leased Not Bought !
Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 4:06 pm
Possible reason they will eventually be done away with: killers from IL will go on a multi-state killing spree and it will take forever to track them down. Out of state authorities will blame obscured plate numbers on the killers’ specialty plates (see the education plates). You laugh, but I’ve already heard similar excuses.
Until then, more stupid plate ideas:
Blind Peoples’ Foundation
Amputees Alliance
Favorite Beer logo (Bud Light, Lite, etc.)
Nudist Club
Narcolepsy Sufferers
Comment by JimMc Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 4:14 pm
“Choose Spite”
Comment by phocion Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 4:21 pm
I can’t believe nobody said, “Cap Fax Reader”
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 4:39 pm
Thanks Eric,
Now we are going from “Choose Life” to hate speech? Gee, we GOTTA keep this slogan off our roads or soon we’ll see license plates for the KKK? Well, let’s just call the whole thing off then, OK?
Whenever we have a suggestion for a new license plate, we can contact Planned Parenthood for their approval. Lord knows we don’t want to offend anyone out there who supports - what is that - oh yeah - CHOICE. When it comes to license plates - sorry, NO CHOICES allowed because the pro-Choice people will not allow it.
Lets forget about that old First Amendment. If we can label something as “hate speech” then we flush our rights. We don’t need rights - we need happy, peppy people who smile a great deal.
You silly, silly, people! What you won’t do to stop “Choose Life” from appearing on license plates!
“Choose Life” - Who would have thought it was hate speech?
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 4:39 pm
The answer may be a variation of something that has been previously proposed. The thought is that you offer a ’specialty-ready’ plate at a fee similar to the other specialty plates.
The plates would have a blank portion on the left to which the registrant could affix any pre-approved design of their choosing.
For tracking purposes, the plates could bear ‘SR’ (specialty-ready) vertically on the right side just as is done with specialty plates today.
Easier to track than 100 (or more) new types of plates, more cost efficient, just a thought.
Comment by Rep. John Fritchey Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 4:41 pm
There have been more acts of domestic terrorism by the “pro-life” people than by Muslim extremists.
If you want to avoid being linked to hate groups, then stop shooting people and stop blowing things up.
Comment by Eric Rudolph's Victims Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 4:50 pm
Illinois We’ll Do Anything For Money - Just Look At Our Lousy License Plates !
Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 4:59 pm
I think Specialty Plates could easily be eliminated and no one would really miss them. Who came up with the idea for Specialty Plates anyway? Why did the State of Illinois decide to have them in the first place? For additional revenue? State employees seem to be overwhelmed as it is in getting their day-to-day tasks taken care of efficiently and correctly down in Springfield without giving them additional burdens to monitor and take care of. How many state employees could we let go of and get off of our state’s overburdened payroll if we eliminated Specialty Plates? It would also seem to eliminate some additional legal concerns that have surfaced if we got rid of them. The whole concept of offering Specialty Plates in Illinois perhaps needs to be revisited.
Comment by Beowulf Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 5:06 pm
Because the First Amendment Says I can.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 5:13 pm
Just because I am curious what the courts would say about it:
“Obama for President”
Comment by Boone Logan Square Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 5:19 pm
Eric Rudolph’s Victin says that,
‘There have been more acts of domestic terrorism by the “pro-life†people than by Muslim extremists.’
The damn Pro-Lifers killed more than 2,752 folks here in the States?
Man, Planned Parenthood sure has some accurate body counters beating their gums for them - I got to read papers more closely. Lovely folks, entirely; almost as sweet and good natured as the Pro-Life bullhorn set.
Comment by Pat Hickey Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 5:20 pm
Illinois-Land of the Blue
IWRK 4 TXS
Viagra or Democrats-Enjoy the Shaft
Comment by Logical Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 5:23 pm
Ugh. This is going to end up exactly like the 87,432 “honorary” street signs in the City of Chicago: cute idea that morphs into nuisance and then into menace. (Imaginary caller to 911 Center: “There’s a four car accident with injuries at the corner of Western and Honorary Herbert Hoover Way!”)
Ditto vanity plates. Oh, for joy: we’ve reeled in three gazillionths of one percent in “revenue enhancement”. Well, we squandered all that money on just this lawsuit, didn’t we?
What to do? Phase out the special plates programs completely — at a net loss, of course — and go back to all “regular” plates. It’s the only practical way to moot the effect of the court decision.
Comment by Dooley Dudright Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 5:30 pm
Sew and Reap
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 5:31 pm
Illinois–State of the Ruling Families. 21st Century Royality.
Comment by Mike Williams Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 5:49 pm
The problem is the State of Illinois, by issuing any specialty plates, has created a limited open forum, and it must open that forum to anyone who wants. The state can put stipulations on that forum, and often recognized hate groups like the KKK are not guaranteed participation.
However, other groups can pretty much have their way with the plates.
ILLINOIS–Your Blue-Light Special
Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 6:24 pm
More likely, some smart pro-choice lawmaker will introduce a bill creating a “Choose Life” license plate and funneling the money ito stem cell research.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 7:06 pm
Retired Senate
So that I, too, can park for free anywhere I want to in the Loop on a weekday.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 7:32 pm
Go Yellow Dog!
Roe v Wade 4ever
Comment by Shallow Pharnyx Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 7:33 pm
Illinois-Bribetaking Capitol of the Universe
Comment by Unindicted Co-conspirator Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 7:53 pm
I think with a limited forum on a license plate the content has to be neutral, be of significant interest, and have an adequate alternative. So where “Choose Life” is arguably all three of the above, they’ll have to worry about viewpoint suppression when they turn down other phrases.
Comment by Rayne of Terror Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 8:15 pm
The Cheapskate State
Comment by Blashkonozi Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 8:23 pm
It might not be a bad idea to allow KKK plates. At least we would then all know exactly who they are (Normally, they’re wearing hoods and are anonymous.) I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t suffer occasional damage to their cars.
As far as Nazis go, it doesn’t seem too unrealistic that they too might want specialized license plates. Wasn’t the American Nazi Party once headquartered up in Maquette Park?
In any case, what’s likely to happen is that there will be so many specialized plates that these fringe messages will get lost in a sea of other messages; and besides, if they really wanted, they could already just put on a bumper or window sticker. As long as they’re paying for it.
Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 8:32 pm
We’re on a mission from God!
Comment by B Hicks Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 9:06 pm
Put it on the board, YES!
Go White Sox!
Comment by John Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 9:13 pm
How about a “Choice” plate?
Seriously.
Let’s have a contest and see who can sell more.
Comment by Cal Skinner Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:04 pm
“Support menopause, buy her a gun!”
Comment by Disgusted Tuesday, Jan 23, 07 @ 10:14 pm
It’s funny that specialty plates have been in existence in IL since 1932 - 70+ years - and it is only when the violent, hateful message, “Choose Life,” is proposed that we begin to worry about confused police and crazy plates to follow.
“Choose Life” was not the first IL plate that makes a supposed political statement. We already have the environmental, duck hunting, and union plates, for example.
In answer to the question posed by more than one, “Who started this?”, it was the IL General Assembly that ushered in the concept by designing plates for its own members, which they still have today.
Comment by Jill Stanek Wednesday, Jan 24, 07 @ 12:19 am
Where Government gives it to the people
Comment by gus bode Wednesday, Jan 24, 07 @ 5:54 am
Why do we even need licence plates? Just paint your trunk with whatever message you want …. duh
Comment by The Horse Wednesday, Jan 24, 07 @ 9:01 am
or put a silly magnet, cut like a ribbon on it
Comment by The Horse Wednesday, Jan 24, 07 @ 9:02 am
Florida Specialty Plate Stats
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/specialtytags/tagsales2006.pdf
Choose Life has had a consistent 40,000 or so on the road each year, so thats probably comparable in a rough sense. Rank is #8, that’s what would irk the opponents the most, you would see these things everywhere.
Some interesting #’s:
The “Impact Eternity” message on Clearwater Christian College(a fundamentalist christian organization), which has about 90 tags on the road.(the bottom of the list)
“Family Values”, that sure sounds political!!
“Homeownership for all”, that sounds communist!!
“Kids deserve Justice”, reeks political, ala UN-types.
“Boy Scouts of America”, a establisment clause violator there
Tons of environmental stuff there, “support education” thinly veiled politics all.
But who does it hurt? Give me a break Law Enforcement people. If you are calling out a APB on a white camaro, a unique tag should help find the offender quicker than a generic.
I did an essay application to the Hon George Ryan college summer republican intern program in the early 90’s suggesting such a program, and cited the great success of the Florida progam, encouraging the future governor to use such a program to gain popularity for future office. I didn’t get the job, but I think I called George a political animal or something like that, should have kept a copy.
More tags for all!!(I have a Pet Friendly and my wife formerly had an Illinois State(old version with the little numbers even), so I wholly support expansion of this program.
Comment by Andy Wednesday, Jan 24, 07 @ 9:07 am
Florida List with links to pics.
http://www3.hsmv.state.fl.us/Intranet/dmv/specialtytags/specialindex.cfm
Comment by Andy Wednesday, Jan 24, 07 @ 9:10 am
‘The Horse’ stole my thunder i.e. the silly car magnets as if such silly frippery would influence any thinking person. The magnets are beginning to fade like the yellow ribbons of yore which continued to flap in shreds on trees long after their purpose was forgotten. Bandwagon car magnet displayers/license plate preachers = go away and shut up.
Comment by Trollalalala Thursday, Jan 25, 07 @ 11:34 am