RDIKLUS

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2007/05/03/news/top/news02_impeach_bush_plate.txt

That's an article talking about how a woman with a vanity license plate "MPEACHW" is being forced by the state of South Dakota to remove it because someone complained. This is all well and good, it is standard practice for vanity plates to be recalled at a moments notice, mostly because the government doesn't like the possibility that it will have to take credit for endorsing an offensive message. However, the recall on this plate is worthy of some additional controversy.

Why? Well, her plate is a political message. And while even that would not hold as a valid defense because the plate is in fact state property, the issue has become complicated because many states have taken it upon themselves to create special plates for certain groups - and these plates often support a political view. The environmental plates have been a predecessor to this, and have existed for a very long time. Now, states are allowing other sorts of plates, such as Indiana's plate which declares "In God we Trust" or the plates now available in many midwest states which say "Choose Life". Other possibles include the Support Our Troops and the Secure (state X) plates.

These plates are obvious endorsements of a political view by the state. The state is using these plates as a means of political speech, much like the "MPEACHW" plate this woman had on her vehicle. The question then, is - whats the difference? The only difference seems to be one political message is endorsed by the state, while the other was chosen by an individual. South Dakota's decision seems to indicate, then, that the state has a right to speech which the individual does not. This is clearly bullshit. If the state has set the precedent of letting political messages on its property, then individuals should be able to use political messages on the property, as well. To argue anything else is clearly a violate of free speech, since the individual in this case would not be allowed to express a view which the state is allowed.

I hope that this goes to court, honestly, because it clearly wouldn't stand, and maybe, just maybe, we could get all those bullshit "In God We Trust" messages off plates too.