I Believe IS Constitutional

ACLU is At it again.

Hey folks,

Here is a story I have been following behind the scenes for a little bit. It has now hit the Mainstreme Media. What I'm talking about is that here in Florida, we have a movement started by a DEMOCRAT Representative in the Florida's House, Rep. Edward Bullard, who is attempting to allow those of Faith, to have Licence Plates with a Cross and the words "I Believe."

Now he has run into some opposition of course. Another Democrat, Rep. Kelly Skidmore is against it, yet she is FAST to tell you she is a Roman Catholic. Then of course you have the All Condescending Losers Union, ACLU getting involved.

Now this story has made it to the Mainstreme Press. Here is how the AP is reporting it.

By JESSICA GRESKO, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 8 minutes ago

Florida drivers can order more than 100 specialty license plates celebrating everything from manatees to the Miami Heat, but one now under consideration would be the first in the nation to explicitly promote a specific religion.

The Florida Legislature is considering a specialty plate with a design that includes a Christian cross, a stained-glass window and the words "I Believe."

Rep. Edward Bullard, the plate's sponsor, said people who "believe in their college or university" or "believe in their football team" already have license plates they can buy. The new design is a chance for others to put a tag on their cars with "something they believe in," he said.

THAT is one of the main points. They can BUY it. The State of Florida is NOT saying you HAVE to have it. They are not promoting it as State Mandated. They are simply giving you the opportunity to have it on your car if you want. You can go buy just about ANYTHING in Bumber Sticker form and slap that on your car, no one can say anything about it. Same thing here. But this is not the way some see it.

Enter the ACLU

The problem with the state manufacturing the plate is that it "sends a message that Florida is essentially a Christian state" and, second, gives the "appearance that the state is endorsing a particular religious preference," said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.

No it doesn't. I guarantee you that if this is approved, it REALLY will not be long before we have Jewish plates or some kind of generic "I Believe" plate out there.

The "I Believe" license plate still has a way to go before it reaches the roads. The proposal is part of a package of license plates being debated in the Senate and ready for a floor vote. In the House, the bill that would authorize the plate has passed one committee 8-2. The Legislature's annual session ends May 2.

Some lawmakers say the state should be careful. Rep. Kelly Skidmore said she is a Roman Catholic and goes to Mass on Sundays, but she believes the "I Believe" plate is inappropriate for the government to produce.

"It's not a road I want to go down. I don't want to see the Star of David next. I don't want to see a Torah next. None of that stuff is appropriate to me," said Skidmore, a Democrat who voted against the plate in committee. "I just believe that."

Interesting choice of words, is it not? She just said, "I don't want to see the Star of David next." Why not? You're not anti- Semitic are you?

Florida's specialty license plates require the payment of additional fees, some of which go to causes the plates endorse.

One plate approved in 2004, displaying the motto "Family First," funds Sheridan House, which provides family programs but also sees its purpose as "sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Bible" and "information about the Christian faith."

The bill creating the "I Believe" plate would also create an "In God We Trust" plate to benefit the children of soldiers and law enforcement officers whose parents have died. It also could face opposition as a violation of the separation of church and state.

There is no such thing as "Separation of Church and State." But even if there was, THIS does not violate it. It is a CHOICE. Not legislation forcing people to get the plates.

An Indiana plate with the same "In God We Trust" phrase has been challenged by the ACLU, but the courts so far have deemed it legal, arguing that it is comparable with other specialty plates.

Which IS the point here. It IS no different.

This isn't the first time a Florida license plate design has created religious controversy. In 1999, lawmakers approved a bright yellow "Choose Life" license plate with a picture of a boy and girl. It raises money for agencies that encourage women to not have abortions.

That generated a court battle, with abortion rights groups saying the plate had religious overtones. But it was ruled legal, and about a dozen states now have similar plates.

A "Trust God" license plate was proposed in Florida in 2003. It would have given money to Christian radio stations and charities, but was never produced.

Earlier this year, a legislative committee was shown an image of a "Trinity" plate that showed a Christlike figure with his arms outstretched. It and two other plates were voted down.

The group asking for the "I Believe" plate, the Orlando-based nonprofit Faith in Teaching Inc., supports faith-based schools activities. The plate would cost drivers an extra $25 annual fee.

So if you were to want this new plate, you would have to pay for it. Like I said, it will be your choice, just like bumper stickers. The state is NOT mandating you have it. They are not forcing you to get it. They are not promoting one Religion above another.

I see nothing wrong with this. What I do see is more Christian Bashing and more wasted time and money on the part of the All Condescending Losers Union. Should be interesting to see how this plays out.

See you tomorrow for the From the Emails Friday Edition. Take care.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Florida lawmakers debate offering a Christian license plate