I’m sure there’s some weird cult out there that worships whales. Are we going to jump on California for selling whale tail vanity plates?

Nowhere do I see that the state is obligated to provide plates for every faith. The state isn’t obligated to provide vanity plates at all.

one’s favorite state team (ie. Michigan state etc.)

There seems to be a market for the Christian plates, if Muslims or Jews rally for a chance for theirs I doubt they would be denied. The market dictates the supply.

Just my 2 cents.

byvirtue on June 9, 2008 at 3:03 PM

go green..

anyway..

Would anyone expect to see more road rage if there were license plates with the Star of David and a red crescent?

it was a page or 2 back but someone said that this is a metal stamp tax.. VA has about 20 or so different types of plates.. (3-4 you can choose from currently).. why not offer a CHOICE (gawd forbid) for people to express themselves however they want..

for you atheists out there, would you feel better if the money for the plate went to Planned Parenthood or some other program designed to eliminate kill urban youths?

The market dictates the supply

My thoughts exactly. Having a plate that expresses your enthusiasm for your religion should not be held to a higher standard than a plate that expresses your enthusiasm for Nascar or your local college team, just because it is religious in nature.

If there is a demand for a religious plate, the state should be able to supply that demand just like it were any other type of vanity plate. The selection process should be exactly the same, without any thought of knee jerk sep. of church/state arguments. Anything less is discrimination based on religion which, from what I understand, is a bit on the wrong side of that thing we call the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

fossten at 2:51PM

That’s why I’m always nervous about the McCain sticker on my Honda.

Religion includes what is deepest to one’s soul, this may very well include dedication to one’s country (ie. American flags) one’s favorite state team (ie. Michigan state etc.) or any number of religious objects. Why can these people display their religious affections and Christians cannot?

There seems to be a market for the Christian plates, if Muslims or Jews rally for a chance for theirs I doubt they would be denied. The market dictates the supply.

Just my 2 cents.

… It seems that most states who provide vanity plates are guilty of making them dead weight by overpricing. In Texas they are $40. In Illinois something like $80.

It goes back to the fact that Government has no business trying to run a business…
Limerick on June 8, 2008 at 5:17 PM

Being bureaucracies they are a combination of stupidity and cunning. The act of offering something to a political faction can be as good politically as making it actually available.

Respectufully, and speaking only for myself, as an Evangelical Christian, banning RedPill does not alienate me from HotAir.

Rod on June 8, 2008 at 4:27 PM

I’m going to second that.

How about oh, I don’t know, thread-jacking? You are assuming because AP posted in this thread that he hammered RP, that it was because of this thread. RP uses, er used, HA like it was his own blog.

Spirit of 1776 on June 8, 2008 at 2:28 PM

Not only that, he repeatedly used it to direct traffic to his blog. He didn’t bother me enough that I would have banned him (the ones who question everyone else’s faith are on my top list), but the banning makes sense to me.

As a very conservative born-again Christian, there are times that I get tired of the way Christianity is presented here by non-believers.

Skidd on June 8, 2008 at 5:15 PM

That used to bother me until I saw the way Christianity was being portrayed by people in here who claim to be believers.

Nevertheless, I jumped to conclusions and I’m sorry about that.

Maxx on June 8, 2008 at 7:23 PM

I have a lot of respect for people who admit their mistakes and apologize. That was very admirable.

About the plates…

I’d rather let every group have a plate. As far as I’m concerned this nation was set up to allow everyone to believe and show that belief in whatever ways are possible. The more the better.

As for myself, I’d never get one. I have never cared much for bumper sticker proclamations of faith, and don’t see this as any better.

And I’d rather no one put one on a car, but that’s just because it sickens me to see them on the cars of the most obnoxious drivers on the road. It’s disgraceful to tell the world you’re a Christian while you act as though you are not.

I’ll put the question back on you. On what grounds to you claim that Christians shouldn’t be able to purchase a plate that says “I believe”

I don’t. (I’d left out a thought.) From my next comment:

I don’t think they should be banned. It’s your money; waste away. If a state chooses to sell such plates, it’s their call.

What is is to you if they want a plate proclaiming their faith instead of a sticker?

Nothing at all (see above).

I don’t have anything against the state selling such a plate to those who want one. And, following Allah’s point, if they wanted to have one for Muslims, Hindus, Shinto, atheists – Dawkins proposed a logo, and he’s not alone – go for it. “I believe” is a fairly innocuous motto, even a positive statement in my mind.

The capitalist in me would suggest an I BELIEVE plate with space for people to add their own sticker (solving the space problem you mentioned). A religious, patriotic, athletic, or other symbol of what you believe in could go there. The state provides the phrase; you provide the specifics. Let the state stay out of the sticker business if they choose (or offer a limited set of stickers, again if they choose), but let others fill in any gaps that remain. I’m sure the Darwin Fish, anarchy, and Obamessiah marketeers would be quick with their alternatives, but that’s par for the course.

As long as no one is COMPELLED to drive around with a plate declaring something against their beliefs, I have no issue. I refuse to drive around with, say, “DEATH TO THE UNBELIEVER” or “FAMOUS POTATOES” or “BUSH LIED PEOPLE DIED”. And anyone who would try to force that on a helpless public should, IMHO, be flogged in the public square.

It’s your site Allah, and you ban at your discretion, I guess I’m just not sure where the ‘line’ is.

Red Pill, I’ll miss your boldness and scriptural insight my friend.

Maxx on June 8, 2008 at 7:23 PM

Good on ya, Maxx.

highhopes on June 8, 2008 at 8:55 PM

Ok…(if you say so…I’ve no axe to grind)

Limerick on June 8, 2008 at 8:16 PM

I’m pretty sure you misread my post.

sulla on June 8, 2008 at 8:09 PM

I don’t care either way about the license plates. But how in the world is saying “leave this stuff on bumper stickers” equated to “demanding that they practice their faith in secret”?

I’ll put the question back on you. On what grounds to you claim that Christians shouldn’t be able to purchase a plate that says “I believe” What is is to you if they want a plate proclaiming their faith instead of a sticker? In case you haven’t noticed there are few places a sticker can go on most vehicles these days and the bumper isn’t one of them.

I think spending extra on custom plates, whatever picture or text is on them, is a waste of money. I’m not big on bumper stickers either. I agree with Sanford that the best advertisement of faith is a life dedicated to it.

On these comments we agree but I’m one of those people who have never identifed myself by my vehicle. My car has always been practical and economic. I probably wouldn’t get a “Jesus Freak” plate for fear that my car would be keyed by people who giggle uncontrolably over the T-Shirt “I found Jesus- he was behind the couch.”

I recall the story of the lady pulled over for aggressive driving, obscene gesturing, etc. she bellowed at the officer for daring to stop her. He pointed to the Christian bumper sticker on the car and said, “the way you were acting, I figured this car must be stolen.”

LOL!

Also how is not providing vanity plates infringing on your religion or freedom of speech? Are you going to scream murder if the Crescent Moon or the pentagram ends up on them also?

Limerick on June 8, 2008 at 8:16 PM

They sure will, the US isnt a Muslim Country, its a Christian Country. Majority religion rules dontcha know.

highhopes on June 8, 2008 at 7:57 PM

Wow…

How about us on the fiscal side of this issue. As I mentioned further up the thread Texas has a vanity plate market share of 1% (roughly 250,000 vehicles). At $40 a pop they are generating $10M gross. Best case senario that is about $5m extra revenue.

With 25 million cars and trucks the state could make that much money with a general increase of 20 cents a registration across the board, and not add any more employees or lawyers to the payroll doing it.

Also how is not providing vanity plates infringing on your religion or freedom of speech? Are you going to scream murder if the Crescent Moon or the pentagram ends up on them also?

Why is it that you hate Christians so much you demand that they practice their faith in secret?

I don’t care either way about the license plates. But how in the world is saying “leave this stuff on bumper stickers” equated to “demanding that they practice their faith in secret”?

Bumper stickers aren’t secret. In the People’s Republic of Santa Monica, some of the Priuses driving on the 405/westside 10 are so overflowing with hippie-chic “bumper” stickers on bumpers, sides, trunk, rear and side windows, etc., they have barely enough clear window to see through (which is why they drive so poorly, I’m sure). Bumper stickers on cars is clearly freedom of expression, and some people express themselves to exhaustion. bumper stickers are cheaper than license plates; you can express yourself on a budget without a vanity plate. (isn’t vanity a deadly sin?)

I think spending extra on custom plates, whatever picture or text is on them, is a waste of money. I’m not big on bumper stickers either. I agree with Sanford that the best advertisement of faith is a life dedicated to it.

I recall the story of the lady pulled over for aggressive driving, obscene gesturing, etc. she bellowed at the officer for daring to stop her. He pointed to the Christian bumper sticker on the car and said, “the way you were acting, I figured this car must be stolen.”

cancel the plate and leave this stuff on bumper stickers where it belongs.

What is it with you people that you FEAR Christians? You couch your fear in lofty (idiotic) rhetoric about separation of church and state but what it really boils down to is that you people are uncomfortable that Christians want to express their faith openly! John McCain is a great candidate for you people because he refuses to talk faith. GWB drives you crazy because he does. You are as appalled and disgusted as liberal Democrats when a politician mentions Christ.

What is it to you? Is anybody forcing YOU to get this plate? Is anybody forcing YOU heed Christ’s message? Why is it that you hate Christians so much you demand that they practice their faith in secret? That wasn’t Christ’s intent and Christians should rise in protest when their faith is demeaned and assualted. That is what the above commment about bumper stickers does.

Maxx on June 8, 2008 at 7:23 PM

Wow. May I say frankly – I applaud your honesty.

Whats your take on this license plate thing going on?

Good idea? Bad idea?

Just wondering.

Rod on June 8, 2008 at 7:19 PM

States can do whatever they want. Fed needs to stay out.