Suit in Ill. Over 'Choose Life' Plates

[Khephra]

CHICAGO -- Members of a pro-adoption group upset over the state's refusal to allow "Choose Life" license plates filed a federal lawsuit Monday accusing the secretary of state of violating their constitutional rights.

Choose Life Illinois, a not-for-profit group based in Grayslake, is part of a national movement pushing for yellow specialty plates stamped with the phrase "Choose Life."

In a lawsuit naming Secretary of State Jesse White as a defendant, the group said White's refusal to issue the plates without General Assembly approval violated their constitutional rights to free speech and due process.

"It is a totally subjective process that amounts to government censorship," group spokesman Dan Proft said.

more.................

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-choose-life-plates,0,7295721.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

[LittleApple81]

1. I hope that slogan applies to the prisoners facing death sentences also.nt

[Cadfael]

3. The ironic thing about those plates

is I don't think the people who would display them support choice!

[Josh]

2. I have no problem with people having "Choose Life" on their licenses -

it's free speech, right? The thing I find the funniest is the beautiful irony of writing CHOOSE life. Someone who wants to "choose" life is by definition pro-choice. :)

[eyesroll]

4. If this is strictly about adoption, as they claim...

then why not say, "Choose Adoption" (or something snappier with the same sentiment)....hmm...

[Hawkeye-X]

5. We have Choose Life plates here

and it's an insult to the memory of the Columbine shootings (the flower is a Columbine on the plate with Choose Life underneath).

Hawkeye-X

[CO Liberal]

7. I Was Almost Run Over One Night...

...by a car with "Choose Life" plates on it.

I had just filled my tank at the 7-11 and was walking in to pay. A young girl in a Cougar with thise plates came within inches of hitting me. When she pulled into a parking apace, I yelled over to her - "I see you don't give a DAMN about life once it's out of the womb!!!'

She restarted her car and drove off.....

[donco6]

11. I hate those.

It always reminds me of those hyper-emotional rallies, with people screaming "We are Columbine!" Like somehow we were all to blame for the alienation of kids that continues there to this day.

[benburch]

6. Proof that 'wingers are stupid.

The Secy of State has no authority to authorize ANY special plates whatsoever.

All such measures must originate within the legislature here!

What fools.

[fob]

8. I don't get it. Is there some sort of conflict with George Michael

and Wham?

Do you get a giant t-shirt with the plates too?



Damn, that is a tough pic to find!

[Dastard Stepchild]

22. that obscure reference

deserves a hearty thumbs up :)

(edited for spelling error)

[Retrograde]

24. it always makes me think of "Trainspotting"

"Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television, choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers..."

See http://www.fact-index.com/t/tr/trainspotting__movie_.html for the rest of the quote.

[Mountainman]

9. Why don't they just make a bumper sticker instead of causing so much

harassment for everyone. They have to get the government involved in supporting their religious views somehow don't they?

[denverbill]

10. In Colorado, people with those plates invariably drive like idiots.

They may care about a fetus, but they don't give a damn about anybody who is already born as they barrel down the interstate at 90mph in the SUV's talking on their cell phones.

[gatlingforme]

12. Jesse White has every right to say what does not go on those plates.

They must go thru the Gen Assem. to pass a law that states this is okay....

[Cats Against Frist]

13. "Why don't the plates say "Choose Adoption," then?

[struggle4progress]

14. "I set before you life and death, good and evil; now ...

CHOOSE LIFE, so you and your children might live" is a well-known Bible verse.

[daleo]

15. And it doesn't actually pertain to abortion

according to some religious scholars:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/abo_biblh.htm

"Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." The segment "choose life, that...thy seed may live" at first glance might be interpreted as referring to the choice to not have an abortion. It is even clearer in the Living Bible which says "Choose life, that...your children might live." However, it is always important to consider the context of any isolated quotation. Verses 15 to 18 clearly state that the choice referred to in verse 19 is whether to worship either Jehovah, or the gods of the Canaanites, whose land they were about to invade. Verse 20 picks up the same theme. Verse 19 thus relates to religious choices and is unrelated to abortion. However, the "choose life" portion of this verse is often quoted by pro-life groups. Michigan Christians for Life offers a free, 3" x 6" bumper-sticker which says simply "Deuteronomy 30:19." 6 Automobile license plates that carry the "choose life" message are available in several Southern U.S. states, although their constitutionality is suspect."

[struggle4progress]

16. A South American human rights group once used "choose life" ...

... as their slogan; they worked on "disappearance" cases.

[daleo]

18. Interesting

The expression certainly does seem to have a wider meaning than what is usually attributed to it.

[NashVegas]

17. Specialty Plates = Can of Worms

I'd like to retroactively abort whomever came up with the bright idea in the first place.

[LincolnMcGrath]

19. Floriduh has them

I want some "Choose Choice" plates.


Never happen here or in Fla though!

[Crazy8s]

20. Those plates really annoy me

I'd like to see some plates that just say 'Choice'. Actually, I'd like to see Florida do away with all those stupid specialty plates! That, or just let everyone design their own and be done with it!

[LincolnMcGrath]

21. I lived in Ocoee, FL in 2000-2002

West Orange County was flooded with those plates.

[DemBones DemBones]

23. Opposition to abortion is one

part of what I see as a pro-life ethic. Other parts are opposition to capital punishment, opposition to war, opposition to euthanasia, and opposition to violence in all its forms. Sadly, most on the left support legalized abortion and legalized euthanasia, while most on the right support capital punishment and, all too often, war as a means of solving problems. Will the day ever come when everyone realizes that life is life and stop all the killing?

Capital punishment and war are antiquated ways of solving problems. So are abortion and euthanasia. We hasten the end of our society by clinging to these practices.

[TheWraith]

27. I largely agree with you.

Personally, I think that there are some times when war, violence, and even execution are neccessary because the alternative is worse--such as letting a would-be Hitler run free. Still, I think that it's not inconsistent to have these values, even if you must recognize that they sometimes have to be set aside. It's the age-old problem: do you kill one person, or let them kill fifty? Even if it's wrong to kill the one, it is more wrong to let them kill the fifty. So, we try to carry on in the best way we know how, trying to do the most good. At least, that's how I see it.

The biggest thing I disagree with you on is euthanasia. In my opinion, mere existence without quality of life is no life at all. If I were dying slowly, or rendered vegetative, I would rather let it end quickly rather than cling to what was left. It relates back to what I was saying earlier--there are worse things than death.

[kwolf68]

25. Oh who cares

People put the damnest things on their cars anyway. If not a plate, then it would be a sticker.

The irony of it is maybe someone on death row will actually make a "choose life" plate.

As for me I am awaiting my "Bush Busters" bumper sticker to go with my Bad Religion sticker. I'll stick a Kerry sticker on there as the election draws nearer.

[gulliver]

26. I have no problem with "choose life."

I think it is a fantastic compromise. It contains both "choice" and "life". It's good common ground on an issue where common ground is scarce.

[TheWraith]

28. A fine point.

Sometimes people here are too eager to jump on anything they see as swinging right. I too have no problem with "Choose Life," it's a fine statement, and I have even less problem with encouraging adoption.