…and this is a 
I choose to view this as a positive development
Category: Kooks
Posted on: April 13, 2008 8:57 PM, by PZ Myers
Some of the politicians in the benighted state of Florida want to sell a new license plate.
The Florida Legislature may create a new license plate that features the words ''I Believe'' and the image of a cross in front of a church stained glass window. The measure is moving in both the House and Senate.
Rep. Ed Bullard, a Miami Democrat and a sponsor of the license plate, conceded that ''some people'' may find something wrong with it, but he said it was a license plate for those people who may want something other than a plate that has a manatee or picture of the Challenger space shuttle.
Look at it this way: the stupid people in Florida are going to be conveniently self-labeling themselves with the Mark of the Buffoon.
(And seriously, this is OK with me. They're going to be charging people an extra $25 for the privilege of sticking something so silly on their car; consider it another dumb tax.)
Comments
"I believe I can fly..."
Posted by: Inoculated Mind | April 13, 2008 9:00 PM
If I were a member of the Florida legislature, I would probably vote against it on the grounds that it's tacky and tasteless.
Anyway, would the Cubans in Miami be willing to buy it? There's no Jesus on the cross and Catholics prefer crucifixes. (And that, by the way, is a reminder of the great argument in favor of capital punishment: If Jesus had gotten life without benefit of parole, we would never have been redeemed [and he'd still be in prison, soaking up tax dollars!].)
Posted by: Zeno | April 13, 2008 9:05 PM
Last paragraph: "The extra money earned from the sale of the ''I Believe'' license plate would go to an Orlando based non profit called Faith in Teaching Inc. that says on its website that money from the plates would be used for grants to ``continue faith based education for the youth of Florida.''"
The three screes of bent metal you just heard were the prongs of the Lemon test.
Posted by: Kevin Dorner | April 13, 2008 9:05 PM
I always say that people who play the state lotteries are just paying their stupidity tax.
I wonder if we could get them to do a Flying Spaghetti Monster one? I'd pay money for a Church of the SubGenius™ license plate.
Posted by: jimBOB | April 13, 2008 9:06 PM
It's better than Indiana. It gave people the option of getting an "In God We Trust" license plate for free. The ACLU is suing over the violation of church/state violation, but I don't know how long it'll be until they start charging. What's funny is that anyone with this license plate is nearly always a bad driver, so it's a nice way to identify the road menaces and get away from them.
Posted by: Dark Matter | April 13, 2008 9:08 PM
"another dumb tax" or a tax on the dumb?
Posted by: stevelaudig | April 13, 2008 9:09 PM
And ignore the latter violation in my previous comment, I have a history paper on my brain.
Posted by: Dark Matter | April 13, 2008 9:10 PM
Off topic: Science is satan spelled backwards
Posted by: Flamethorn | April 13, 2008 9:11 PM
I thought bumper stickers were invented to show everyone stuff they don't care about, do they really need it on the license too?
Posted by: Scott | April 13, 2008 9:11 PM
It would actually be a really cool study to see whether those with these license plates drive significantly differently from other similarly self-identified groups.
Posted by: Anon | April 13, 2008 9:16 PM
If the money went into state coffers, it would be one thing. But it appears that the extra money would be going to a religious cause. The state can not collect money for a religious organization.
Posted by: Thoracantha | April 13, 2008 9:18 PM
This thing has "photoshop contest" written all over it.
At least that's how I interpret "SAMPL."
Posted by: Sven DiMIlo | April 13, 2008 9:19 PM
Rep. Ed Bullard, a Miami Democrat and a sponsor of the license plate, conceded that ''some people'' may find something wrong with it, but he said it was a license plate for those people who may want something other than a plate that has a manatee or picture of the Challenger space shuttle.
Yeah, that whole non-establishment of religion in the Constitution thing is just such a fucking annoyance.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | April 13, 2008 9:29 PM
I really do like reading PZ's stuff. And the comments are even more reassuring that there are smart, reasonable and rational people on this planet. I live in Texas and come here to breath. Some of us down here do actually try to stand up the the god bullies and frauds here in our state, for all that's worth. Some of us have been doing battle with the loons on newspaper web sites like gosanangelo.com and reporternews.com in San Angel and Abilene respectively, over stories and letters that have cropped up in the wake of the Mormon and House of Yahweh stench. Sometimes I think those two communities supply the major portion of the whackjobs that are attacking this state. I wish PZ would send his storm troopers into the battles on a few of these sites but until then, ya,ll keep the blogs and comments coming here. You write and think a lot better than this old fart so I come here for more than the fresh air. It helps me figure out better ways to say things so they'll count.
Posted by: Aero | April 13, 2008 9:29 PM
Except it's government issued, and I don't see them offering "I Believe" plates with symbols of all the other religions out there. And of course, no "Of course I don't believe, what, are you fucking kidding?!" one either.
Government of Florida lets you express your religious views on government-issued license plates, only if your religious views are of one pre-approved sort?
Of course its not good.
Posted by: craig | April 13, 2008 9:30 PM
Posted by: Sili | April 13, 2008 9:30 PM
Will be funny to see what it does to resale value -- who'd want to buy a car with a plate like that on the back of it? Sure, you can switch plates at/after purchase of someone's car, but I'd better more than sales are lost because of what's on the plate as an indicator of how well the innards of the car were cared for.
Posted by: Knitterman | April 13, 2008 9:30 PM
I'd like to see how these representatives would react if the bill also offered a Darwin fish or scarlet letter plate, with the revenues going to the NCSE...
Posted by: mona | April 13, 2008 9:32 PM
off topic, is it bad of me that while watching "The Mist" last night, I was glad when the rapture-sermonizing, sacrifice-wanting, insane religious nutbag lady got offed?
(Hey, she was dangerous, she was riling up the crowd, they had to do it.)
Whoops. Sorry, that was a spoiler, wasn't it?
Posted by: craig | April 13, 2008 9:34 PM
@jimBOB: I'd rather fancy a Discordian plate myself. I don't think we Discordians could ever agree on a common design, though... ;)
Posted by: AnonCoward | April 13, 2008 9:38 PM
What you guys probably don't know is that we in Florida already have a "Choose Life" optional license plate with a little-kid drawing on it. According to their FAQ, the extra cash one pays goes to organizations that support adoption, as long as they don't also support abortion.
Posted by: Randall | April 13, 2008 9:41 PM
This is wrong. A license plate and other government document, seal, IDs, etc. are not the place for political, philosophical, or religious views. If you want to express your opinions on your car, get a bumper sticker. If you really want to go for broke, get it in your paint job.
Posted by: A Lurker | April 13, 2008 9:42 PM
I'd pay for a plate with the Sacred Chao on it.
Posted by: Sven DiMIlo | April 13, 2008 9:42 PM
@knitterman- We keep our plates down here in Florida. The plates move with us from car to car. It's actually one of the positives of living here.
Posted by: Pandora | April 13, 2008 9:42 PM
In Florida? Man, this is going to pay for a lot of social services.
Posted by: RamblinDude | April 13, 2008 9:48 PM
Obviously you haven't spent much time in the Sunshine State.
It's routine down here for Christian(tm) realtors to tell prospective buyers that Jesus said he wants them to own this house.
If this piece o' dreck makes it to Fla DMV offices, expect to see bulk purchases from used car dealerships.
Posted by: Pierce R. Butler | April 13, 2008 9:49 PM
#4 - I'd pay for a FSM plate! Touched by His noodly Appendage...
Posted by: Seamyst | April 13, 2008 9:49 PM
"The measure is moving in both the House and Senate."
You'd think the House and Senate would have more important things to do.
Posted by: Bad Albert | April 13, 2008 9:50 PM
Like Indiana, Alabama has free "God Bless America" plates for those who want them.
That's a pretty sneaky idea Florida has, though, using the proceeds to fund something unconstitutional. The only people who would have standing to sue would be the people who buy the plates, right? And obviously they aren't going to do so.
Posted by: ShavenYak | April 13, 2008 9:51 PM
As a Floridian, I'd prefer a plate with positive message ... perhaps: "Science saves lives!" ;-)
Posted by: Ben Abbott | April 13, 2008 9:53 PM
Indiana has their "In God we Trust" plate because they are too stupid or cheap to have a decent driver training program. I don't think God has saved anyone there.
Posted by: freelunch | April 13, 2008 9:54 PM
I live in Florida. This is dumb and I hope it doesn't go through. If it does at least get us non-believers one of equal value.
Posted by: monkeyluis | April 13, 2008 9:57 PM
Can anyone photoshop the picture and replace "SAMPL" with "MORON"?
Posted by: The Barefoot Bum | April 13, 2008 10:09 PM
Even setting aside the issue of a state agency offering a religious-themed tag, it's clearly discriminatory to offer just one religious affiliation tag and not all the others. Florida has specialty plates for all the major universities and sports teams, not just one of them.
If it passes, I suppose the good news is that it'll be drowned out in the sea of over 100 different specialty plates that Florida offers. Here are just the top 20 most popular plates for 2007. Note that the "Choose Life" plate is #10, but it's behind mostly environmental and university plates:
University of Florida
Protect the Panther
Protect Wild Dolphins
Helping Sea Turtles Survive
Florida State University
Save the Manatee
Protect Our Reefs
U.S. Marine Corps
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Choose Life
Challenger / Columbia
Support Education
University of Miami
State of the Arts
Save Our Seas
Conserve Wildlife
Golf Capital of the World
Salutes Veterans
Miami Dolphins
Indian River Lagoon
Source:
http://www.flhsmv.gov/specialtytags/tagsales2007.pdf
Will this still be a cool plate to have, if it turns out that it isn't even as popular as "Golf Capital of the World"?
Posted by: foldedpath | April 13, 2008 10:13 PM
Oklahoma offers well over 100 specialty plates, including almost 40 different ones with a NASCAR theme. But none of them is as explicitly religious as this Florida example. Oklahomans can certainly imply their religious leanings with something like this, or can send the "I'm a stoopid idiot" message pretty effectively with this (several bible colleges available too!), but still.
Congratulations Florida, on out-Oklahomaing Oklahoma!
Posted by: Sven DiMIlo | April 13, 2008 10:15 PM
@19:
Not at all. Fantastic atheist movie, by the way; somehow it slipped in under the radar while everyone was pissing and moaning about The Golden Compass. It demonstrated what we all suspect: that fundagelical Christianity is one disaster removed from volcano worship.
Posted by: Tom Foss | April 13, 2008 10:22 PM
You should be allowed to get any graphic you want next to "Believe": the FSM, Ceiling Cat, a flaming pentagram-and-pitchfork, a UFO, the Superman logo...
My folks have one in HI with a little symbol and the words "Respect Choice". Proceeds went to Planned Parenthood, I think.
Posted by: Marc | April 13, 2008 10:27 PM
State funding for a faith-based organization should be able to be challenged in court by non-purchasers of this plate since state financial resources would be used in making the plate. Fortunately, I do not drive and do not live in the Dumbshine State of Florida.
Posted by: mothra | April 13, 2008 10:30 PM
Wouldn't it be so cool to get one of those license plates, then draw in a Loch Ness monster and a UFO?
Posted by: Levi | April 13, 2008 10:38 PM
I want my Flying Spaghetti Monster I believe license plate! Deny me, and I'll sue for my 1st Amendment rights!
Posted by: Tom Hamill | April 13, 2008 10:38 PM
I live in Indiana and this afternoon I was behind a pickup truck with an "In God We Trust" plate. Right next to the plate was a Darwin fish. It confused me in a good way.
There was also a USMC emblem in the left corner of the window. And the boy pissing on Chevy on the right.
Posted by: HeartlessB | April 13, 2008 10:40 PM
What's a believer to do when their flag decal won't get them into heaven any more?
Posted by: David Wilford | April 13, 2008 10:44 PM
#33 -- re: Can anyone photoshop the picture and replace "SAMPL" with "MORON"?
I think you'll like this one better. Hope I got the URL right as it doesn't preview properly.
Posted by: Kevin Dorner | April 13, 2008 10:45 PM
Nope, it buggered the link.
Posted by: Kevin Dorner | April 13, 2008 10:46 PM
I'm going to assume PZ didn't read all the way to the bottom of the Miami Herald article, where one finds,
The use of the money for further religious indoctrination of youth can hardly be labelled a positive development. This is getting close to being a state collected tithe.
Posted by: JohnnieCanuck, FCD | April 13, 2008 10:51 PM
I want one of these license plates. I would choose the text "IN NO GOD" for mine.
Posted by: silchan | April 13, 2008 10:52 PM
In 2002, the Florida DMV rejected the personalized plate "ATHEIST" because it was "obscene or objectionable".
Posted by: 74westy | April 13, 2008 10:52 PM
#33 -- re: Can anyone photoshop the picture and replace "SAMPL" with "MORON"?
http://www.baldurdash.org/FloridaLicensePlate.jpg
Better.
Posted by: Kevin Dorner | April 13, 2008 10:58 PM
Not to rain on anyone's parade (namely my own) but the pro-choice plate is okay with the gov't because if those at the capitol choose to encourage "childbirth and family life" they can do so without also encouraging abortion, so long as they don't impede abortion.
As for the faith-based-plate, if the supreme court views it as a personal choice (amongst a myriad of other, more-deserving charities) as opposed to an endorsement of a particular sect or religion in general then it should be fine. The only monkey in the wrench here is that since other charity's have their plates, the "imaginary friend" plate could be seen as the state's endorsement of charitable donations as opposed to christianity etc...
Posted by: mkuriluk | April 13, 2008 10:58 PM
If that is the case, I'd sue them. They would lose since "obscene or objectionable" is either:
1) loosely defined and thus non-enforcible
OR
2) preventing me from my 1st amendment right since what I chose for my plate is not obscene or objectionable by any standard legal definition of precedence.
Arizona lost a case recently dealing with this very exact same issue.
Posted by: sil-chan | April 13, 2008 11:02 PM
[Pic featuring Mickey Mouse on his epcot House]
I BELIEVE
Posted by: DDeden | April 13, 2008 11:04 PM
Hey! An instant way to identify the stupid people.
Interviewing someone for a job that requires high intelligence? Just a quick trip to the parking lot...
They should do this in all fifty states.
Posted by: CalGeorge | April 13, 2008 11:16 PM
Maybe they should've made it say "I knit."
"On the weekends."
Posted by: dsmvwld | April 13, 2008 11:17 PM
#48
http://www.baldurdash.org/FloridaLicensePlate.jpg
Better.
You totally rock, dude!
Posted by: The Barefoot Bum | April 13, 2008 11:17 PM
As long as we can have an atheist lisence plate, I think I'll be ok with it.
Posted by: PirateHooker | April 13, 2008 11:43 PM
Arizona lost a case recently dealing with this very exact same issue.
interesting.
got links?
Posted by: Ichthyic | April 13, 2008 11:48 PM
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9971/floridacelncatpo3.jpg
Posted by: Quidam | April 13, 2008 11:51 PM
I looked into this a little more closely. Getting a new kind of plate even considered seems to require a payment of $60,000 and a survey proving that the plate would be of interest to enough people to justify designing it.
Rep. Ed Bullard is sponsoring the plate. The website for Faith in Teaching Inc. has only one name and address in it -- a small scale, rather quiet looking black Tallahassee lobbyist of 25 years experience. FIT was incorporated November of last year by a couple of ladies from a Baptist church who have no other major web presence.
Small, quiet, no smell of scam, but no telling what FITs money would be used for. Maybe to repay the initial $60k registration fee?
Looks like a modest teapot would contain this tempest nicely.
Posted by: Noni Mausa | April 13, 2008 11:51 PM
You know I think it would kind of stylish if it was accompanied by a set of those dangly scrotums that were featured on this site a little while back. Classy.
Posted by: Bride of Shrek | April 13, 2008 11:53 PM
It might also be worth noting that the $25.00 "fee" on this plate, if it ends up working like all the other plates in FL, will be a YEARLY fee and not simply a one time thing. Furthermore, 100% of the revenue goes to this org associated with the plate, creating a fairly nice, long-term revenue stream for the f*tard "Faith in Teaching Inc." org.
The "good" news is at least, these fees are *NOT* tax deductible.
It's such a nice scam, I suggest we get a "Pharyngula" plate started for PZ....
Posted by: Darwin's Bagman | April 14, 2008 12:01 AM
The fundie version, for the believer who really wants to make a statement.
Posted by: Damian | April 14, 2008 12:08 AM
....and here is a list of all the revenues generated for each org in just 2006-7 year by the Florida special plates, so you can get an idea just how good a scam this will be!
Posted by: Darwin's Bagman | April 14, 2008 12:14 AM
I would like one with a Double Helix and this sign:
I KNOW
Posted by: Guido | April 14, 2008 12:16 AM
#62
Those two people out there with the Orlando Predators plates must feel special.
Posted by: Bride of Shrek | April 14, 2008 12:21 AM
@jimBOB: I'd rather fancy a Discordian plate myself. I don't think we Discordians could ever agree on a common design, though... ;)
Posted by: AnonCoward
The answer is easy, it would be a golden apple with a K.
Yes, I have read Illuminati too many times.
Posted by: Janine, ID | April 14, 2008 12:23 AM
This is wrong. A license plate and other government document, seal, IDs, etc. are not the place for political, philosophical, or religious views.
Posted by: A Lurker | April 13, 2008 9:42 PM
What about on your money?
Posted by: wazza | April 14, 2008 12:25 AM
I believe my throat hurts.
Posted by: Janine, ID | April 14, 2008 12:27 AM
I wouldn't call someone who wanted this plate stupid or a buffoon, but the way these plates are done is clearly not in keeping with the state's job of being evenhanded. They should either allow any group that gets enough signatures or something together to sponsor a design choice, or simply not try to fancy up license plates period. If people want to express themselves with things on their cars, that's great: more power too them, except of course when it causes traffic accidents. But the state should not be getting into the business. There's simply no need for it. It's not serving any purpose at all that citizens can't simply fulfill themselves, with far greater variety.
Posted by: Bad | April 14, 2008 12:27 AM
I want to reserve the one "IDONT"
Posted by: Hamish | April 14, 2008 12:28 AM
I see the Tampa Bay Lightning made out better than the D-Rays and Marlins Magic. In a state that's never got any natural ice, that's got to hurt.
Posted by: Mike from Ottawa | April 14, 2008 12:42 AM
In case anyone was wondering what song Stipe was singing before laughing into I Believe, it was Future Forties by the great and almost unknown Syd Straw.
Yes, I know just how geeky I am.
Posted by: Janine, ID | April 14, 2008 12:53 AM
he says it like space shuttles and manatees arent awesome to have on your license plate. They could have a picture of rocks, like AZ.
Posted by: red | April 14, 2008 12:57 AM
#69
OOO! I like! This could turn into something fun.
How about "I believe..."
"IN SYENZ" or "NUTHIN" or
"DAWKINS" or "HITCH" or "HARRIS"...
Posted by: Dawkin's Bagman | April 14, 2008 1:12 AM
Here's my poor best, an FSM Florida plate:
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/5525/fsmfloridaplate2oh9.jpg
Posted by: pcarini | April 14, 2008 1:30 AM
Can I get me one of those plates with a picture of Tinkerbell instead of the cross?
Posted by: noncarborundum | April 14, 2008 1:33 AM
pcarini, why are you so hard on yourself. You have passed on the noodley goodness the the FSM gave you.
Posted by: Janine, ID | April 14, 2008 1:34 AM
It's not. Which is, I think, one reason the Euro notes are fairly neutral, having ambiguous drawings of assorted monuments and bridges, and a map of "Europe" (slightly fudged to show all the Euro-using areas, such as French Guinea in South America). The drawings are deliberately ambiguous to avoid any hint of preferring one country or cultural (within "Europe" at least) over another; indeed the first set of drawings proposed was rejected because people could fairly easily figure out which bridges served as the models. (I think, for the same reason, there are rules about avoiding portraits entirely, even on the coins?)
The Euro coins, on the other hand, whilst having a common neutral design on one side, have a "national" design on the other chosen by the country that minted the coin. Right now I'm looking at Italian, Dutch(?), and French coins, and whilst there might be some historical symbolism I'm not familiar with, none looks problematic. E.g., the Italian coin has de Vinci's famous nude-man-in-a-circle drawing. I suppose if you object to having well-drawn famous artwork depicting a naked person on your coin, you might have a problem ... no, you do have a problem!
Posted by: blf | April 14, 2008 1:49 AM
noncarborundum: Ask and ye shall receive.
Tinkerbell 1
Tinkerbell 2
This is way too easy now that I shopped out that silly T thingy...
Posted by: pcarini | April 14, 2008 1:57 AM
I wouldn't call someone who wanted this plate stupid or a buffoon
to each his own, I suppose.
you mind if I..?
Posted by: Ichthyic | April 14, 2008 2:10 AM
The version with "Beer Volcano" posted on comment #74 wins!!
It just needs "sampl" turned into "simpl" to make it complete!!
(signed) marc
Posted by: marc buhler | April 14, 2008 2:19 AM
It's been stated a couple times already, but I think it bears repeating: the extra money from these license plates would,
This isn't a dumb tax, it's yet another sleazy way that politicians are trying to sneak in government favorship of their religious ideas. Anyone want to guess how well this would go over if it featured a star and crescent with "I submit", with funds going to a Muslim faith-based education?
Posted by: Shirakawasuna | April 14, 2008 2:30 AM
blf: I believe the american notes bear the phrase "In God We Trust". It was a major plot point for a crappy christmas movie.
Fucking Eurocentric imperialists...
Posted by: wazza | April 14, 2008 2:44 AM
Second the poor maintenance comment. Hey, the rapture is coming - why bother with oil changes or new timing belts??
Posted by: jah | April 14, 2008 3:03 AM
The state of Florida is doing it wrong. Very wrong.
They should have the plate with "I Believe" on it.
The graphic should be blank. Then sell stick-on decals with whatever message one wants.
A cross against a window.
A Burning Cross
A Cresent
The Flying Spaghetti Monster
A UFO
A Darwin Fish
A Bass Fish
A Jet Flying into a skyscraper
A Hammer and Sickle
A Swastika
A Star of David
A Bottle of Beer
A Bottle of Whisky
The Ying Yang Sign
The Wiccan Sign
A Santeria symbol
Voodoo symbol
A Big Zero
and so on.......
The First Amendment mandates separation of church and state. It protects all of us. They cannot legally favor fundie Death Cults over any others. So just sell decals that cover all the possibilities.
Posted by: raven | April 14, 2008 4:13 AM
Is the current choice between either a Space Shuttle or a manatee? If there was a plate that somehow incorporated the two together (perhaps a manatee riding in a Shuttle), I for one would totally buy it.
Posted by: philbert | April 14, 2008 4:20 AM
pcarini @ #78:
I think noncarburundum was refering to this Tinkerbell
Posted by: Joao | April 14, 2008 4:27 AM
> What about on your money?
I live in the UK. I'm looking at a 10 pound note, which has a picture of.....Charles Darwin.
Posted by: Tim | April 14, 2008 4:28 AM
Something tells me Matt Drudge doesn't like Hillary Clinton very much. I could be wrong about that. Just a theory I have. Only a theory.
Posted by: 386sx | April 14, 2008 4:37 AM
In 2006-07, Indiana (where I live) almost out-did Florida with a license plate bearing "In God We Trust" but without any specific accompanying symbols. Indiana decided not to charge extra for the plate. In fact, I (an atheist) ended up with "In God We Trust" plates for both my wife's and my vehicles, even though we didn't ask for them. They just happened to be in plentiful supply.
The Indiana Civil Liberties Union's lawsuit is still pending.
Posted by: Jeff D | April 14, 2008 5:09 AM
I bet there's some crazy things on European license plates?
Posted by: HM | April 14, 2008 5:31 AM
#1: "I believe I can fly"
Hey! I'm a hang glider pilot : I can!
Coming from the UK, I'm wondering why Americans should need anything on their number plate except letters and numbers...
Posted by: davem | April 14, 2008 5:32 AM
"As long as we can have an atheist lisence plate, I think I'll be ok with it."
Yeah, but then some of us might actually be expected to buy one. And I have this weird idea that atheists, in general, have more taste than Christians. See below...
"but he said it was a license plate for those people who may want something other than a plate that has a manatee or picture of the Challenger space shuttle."
Yeah, forget the wonders of nature and the accomplishments of man (and the price that has been paid in the pursuit of knowledge and exploration). Not near tacky enough.
"that fundagelical Christianity is one disaster removed from volcano worship."
Speaking of car stuff, that's a worthy bumper sticker slogan right there! "Choose Life" just makes me think of Trainspotting.
Golden words make practice, practice makes perfect, perfect is a fault, and fault lines change.
Posted by: Rey Fox | April 14, 2008 5:36 AM
I'm surprised Floridans (or anyone else) are allowed any decorative elements at all on their licence plates. One'd expect readability to trump everything else.
Posted by: Andreas Johansson | April 14, 2008 5:52 AM
HM @90,
I bet there's some crazy things on European license plates?
Not really, at least not for those European nations whose plates I've seen (which is a fair few of them). They're quite sober, typically just an alphanumeric string with a small blue box to one side showing the European flag and the international letter designator for the country in question (F for France, D for Germany, E for Spain etc.).
Some have a bit of meaning to them. Here in Germany, the first letter (or two or three letters) indicate the city or Kreis (county, roughly) in which you registered the car. There's also a very modest vanity plating system. For a small fee, you can have the part of the string following the city indicator begin with your initials and end with a number of your choice (if available). Irish plates indicate one's county (in small type, and in Gaelic!) But there are SFAIK no thoroughgoing American-style vanity plates ("YANKSFAN" or what have you), and very definitely no special-interest plates with pictures and slogans.
Indeed, we really don't even go in for bumper stickers, which in some ways is a pity.
Posted by: Mrs Tilton | April 14, 2008 5:53 AM
May Bob The Flying Squid (tm) squirt His ink upon the windshield of the bureaucratic subgenius who failed to realize accommodating one may turn turn Florida's Department Of Transportation into a custom shop for every species of enthusiasm and/or lunacy living in the First Amendment's copious shade.
Does this mean graphics satirizing Expelled can be transformed into license plates by April 18th ?
I will not be responsible if you are towed out of a bible belt drive-in while sporting the following :
http://adamant.typepad.com/seitz/2008/03/idiocy-of-bibli.html
Posted by: Russell | April 14, 2008 5:57 AM
@ #90
There's just letters and numbers on EU license plates. I don't think any member country allows for personalized versions (yet). Actually, when the EU wasn't in place yet, (almost) every car in Europe had a white oval sticker with the country code in black letters near it's rear license plate.
Posted by: Dutch Delight | April 14, 2008 6:03 AM
Rey @92,
"Choose Life" just makes me think of Trainspotting.
Can we get plates that read "Choose Not to Choose"? I'd pay money for one of those.
Didn't Wham! once wear shirts saying "Choose Life"? They might possibly have meant something different by it.
As long as we're rappin bout dated popcultural references, the gang at Three Bulls! offer a tshirt reading "THYCWOTI SAY RELAX". On the one hand, a Three Bulls! in-joke; on the other, a popculture allusion that is 25 years out of date, which makes it retro and charming.
Posted by: Mrs Tilton | April 14, 2008 6:03 AM
The state of Georgia already has gunk plates with Christian messages like this:
http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/motor/plates/plate.asp?ptitle=CB ("Choose Life")
They used to have a plate for the Boy Scouts that had the not-at-all church-endorsing "god bless america" on it.
My only quesiton is what took them so long?
And, I'd also like one of the Challenger/Columbia plates.