ACLU Sues Over License Plates
By kathy on Apr 24, 2007 in ACLU, Judicial, Politics
From Indystar:
Mark Studler has nothing against people expressing their religious beliefs, even on their license plates. But the Allen County man says he also believes those folks should be treated like Hoosiers who use their vehicle tags to promote education or the environment and are charged an extra fee to do so.
Studler and the ACLU of Indiana went to court Monday to challenge a law allowing Hoosier motorists to acquire “In God We Trust” plates at no additional cost.
Backers of the plate that was introduced this year counter that it offers residents a chance to affirm the nation’s religious heritage while practicing their right to free speech.
Studler, 49, paid $40 for a plate depicting an eagle and the word “environment.” Of that, $25 went to a state trust to buy land set aside for conservation or recreational purposes. The remaining $15 went to the state as an administrative fee. The $15 fee is not charged for the “In God We Trust” plates.
[...] The “In God We Trust” plate is the only generally available specialty plate exempt from any fee, said Ken Falk, legal director for the ACLU of Indiana, which filed the suit on Studler’s behalf in Marion Superior Court.
“We’re not complaining about the message,” Falk said. “This isn’t about religion.” But Curt Smith, president of the Indiana Family Institute, called the challenge misguided. The phrase “In God We Trust” is the national motto, he said, and appears on U.S. currency.
“We mention God in the Declaration of Independence and in many of our founding documents, and so I think it’s very appropriate and legitimate to encourage the dissemination of this phrase.”
For pete’s sake it’s a LICENSE PLATE and In God We Trust is the national motto and “environment” is not. Do we really need to waste the time and money to defend, in a courtroom, a phrase on a license plate? This plate is widely supported:
“Over half a million of these plates have been (distributed). It’s the No. 1 plate in the state,” he said.
Its the number one plate in the state for a reason. it would seem there is more than enough support to keep this plate. This is a silly use of our judicial system; this case should be thrown out forthwith.
4 Comment(s)
By John Adams on Jul 4, 2007 | Reply
Once Ameicans learn they have balls and a backbone they’ll learn to stand up to the ACLU, the Jesse Jacksons, the Al Sharpens, the Dumbocrates, and all the other Lefts groups that exist in this country. These SOB’s have come to think they can run people’s lives simply because some do not wish to speak up or be heard in public for fear of public speaking. I have had enough of their shit. I’ve made it a point to standing up to them and you’ll be surprise who quickly they back down. They are like high school bullies, stand up to them or f%&*$ them up just once they’ll “think” twice before getting in your face. See how the white liberals say nothing to the black person when the latter speaks of the former as “whitey” “honky” “cracker” “white trash” etc etc. Why? Because they know the black man will beat the sh&@# of them. Now, it’s time the conservative did the same with the liberals regardless of color, creed, national origin, religious affilitation, sexual orientation, whether straight or curved, fatso or thin, beautiful or as ugly as Rosie O’Donnell as a pig, no, I take that back and my apologies, no not to Rosie, that dike, but to the pig. At least if you put lipstick on the pig it will look pretty, but Rosie, she is still a pig and ugly. I know I should be sensitive to animals, but I can’t I just hate Rosie, but I will apologize to the pig for suggesting putting lipstick on it. Sorry, Mr. Piggy. I meant no harm. Now, meanwhile back at the ranch, I wonder where Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpen are, I know those two chicken-shits are after one of my chickens, the feathered-friends ones.
I know, I know, I should not make fun of chickens, after all chickens are people too, and they have rights. Yeah, but what does Rosie O’Donnell have to do with this?
If you do not wish to have someone control your feelings by controlling your vocabulary stand up for what is right.
By Robert cheek on Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
Dear ACLU Staff, Rev. Jessie Jackson, and Rev. Al Sharpen,
Do you know that there are people in the USA who have been discharged from jobs and have been placed on a “Black List” in their state and city which prohibits them from getting other jobs? It does not matter what educational level you have achieved. They probably have applied for employment which is under their education level just to get employment but have to wait for five years before that happens. Please try to investigate this type of wrong procedure. It does not matter what ethic group you are in. This type of thing happens to the America public daily and it goes unrecognized. This has happened to me for approximately four years. I would like to work to support my family. This problem is bigger than me. I do not have any answers to solve the problem. I hope that your staff will try to investigate this problem and expose it to the American public.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Cheek
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