ethnic or offensive license plates

zonelistener · 03-15-2002, 01:50 PM

Interesting article:

'IRISH1' vanity plate violates restriction on ethnic references, state says

Associated Press

Published Mar 15, 2002
SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt. -- A few days before St. Patrick's Day, Carol Ann Martin was decked out in a pale green dress and bright green headband with shamrocks and leprechaun.

The occasion was not a corned beef and cabbage festival but a hearing before the Vermont Supreme Court at which Martin's lawyer argued that she should be allowed to have "IRISH1" on her license plate.

The case arrived at the high court after the state Department of Motor Vehicles said the plate violated its rule against references to ethnic groups.

"The people of this state want to have words or phrases on their license plates that are positive and meaningful to them," Martin said after the hearing. "What's wrong with 'Irish'?"

It's a fight seen in states around the country as they grapple with where to draw the line between free expression and words that might offend or serve as an invitation to trouble.

In Ohio, the fight has been over a proposed plate saying "H8 MICH," a criticism either of nearby Michigan or its sports teams. The motor vehicle agency automatically rejects all requests for "hate" -- "H8" -- plates, as well as those that include profanity, drug references and ethnic slurs.

"WINE" was the license plate at issue before the Oregon Supreme Court on Thursday. Michael Higgins, a 65-year-old retired wine merchant, went to court after his applications for plates saying "WINE," "IN VINO" and "VINO" were rejected. Oregon's motor vehicle agency bans references to alcohol, tobacco or drugs, along with vulgar or sex-related words.

Higgins' question is this: "Why shouldn't people be able to put anything on a vanity plate that they can put on a bumper sticker?"

Bonnie Rutledge, Vermont's motor vehicles commissioner, said license plates are state property, and their main purpose is to identify vehicles.

"That is not really the purpose of a license plate -- to put out your own personal message," she said.

Under Vermont law, the commissioner can reject an application for a vanity plate that "might be offensive or confusing to the general public."

For example, Paula Perry of East Montpelier recently lost her bid to have "SHTHPNS" on her license plates. It's not what you might think: Perry said it stood for "shout happiness."

At issue are rules the commissioner issued interpreting the law. Barred are "combinations of letters or numbers that refer in any language to a race, religion, color, deity, ethnic heritage, gender, sexual orientation, disability status or political affiliation."

Rutledge said the rules are stricter than they used to be -- "IRISH" is on a set of Vermont plates right now, for example.

At the Vermont Supreme Court hearing, Chief Justice Jeffrey Amestoy asked if a strict reading of the word "color" on the forbidden list might bar someone from having a plate that said "BLUE."

John Bloomer, Martin's lawyer, expanded on that point in a later interview. "Under the current rule you can have 'GO SOX' but not 'GO RED SOX' and not 'GO YANKS," he said.

The hearing had its lighter moments, including when Justice James Morse asked about more indirect ethnic references and referred to the word "SHAMROCK" on a license plate.

"I think this close to March 17, it probably would be fine," Griffin said to a laugh from the audience.

He needn't worry: "SHAMROCK" is eight letters and vanity plates are limited to seven.

**Sicy** · 03-15-2002, 01:57 PM

California DMV denied my plate titled:

MOFO U2

Saying that it was offensive.

Lilly · 03-15-2002, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sulawesigirl4:

mebbe a real original one like SULA U2.

I am SOOOOOO offended!

I agree with the woman on the point that license plates are there for id purposes only. And while I don't see 'IRISH' as offensive, I can see why they don't do it. One exception to the rule is not allowed in the Supreme Court.

------------------
Every question possesses a power that does not lie in the answer.

sulawesigirl4 · 03-16-2002, 02:06 AM

I want a vanity plate!

mebbe a real original one like SULA U2.

*wonders if it could possibly be construed as offensive*

Achtung Bubba · 03-16-2002, 02:12 AM

DUMGOVT

Lemonite · 03-16-2002, 02:26 AM

.

[This message has been edited by Lemonite (edited 03-15-2002).]

SkeeK · 03-16-2002, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Achtung Bubba:
DUMGOVT

ROFL!

LarryMullen's POPAngel · 03-17-2002, 02:34 AM

Too bad "ITLNBTCH" has two too many letters in it.

------------------
I hear voices, ridiculous voices

Angela Harlem · 03-17-2002, 05:48 AM

We have those laws too, but stuffed if I can work out what they consider offensive.

We supposedly cant use words like God and Sex. Yet I saw this plate once that was GODSY. Yet a few years ago a radio station did a shit stir phone call to the RTA saying they wanted a plate with GODLY on it and she said you cant have that.
A while back, I saw this XR6, same year as mine with SEXR6. After laughing at what a tool he was, I wondered how he got it, and checked recently with the RTA site and it said SEXR8 (for my model) was available and suitable, would I like to order it.
Go figure.

Miss MacPhisto · 03-20-2002, 07:29 PM

I saw this one in the parking lot of a mall:
666DMV
I think I'd like 666IRS!

------------------
Look...look what you've done to me...You've made me poor and infamous, and I thank you...

My name is MISS MACPHISTO...I'm tired and i want to go HOME...

"Well you tell...Bonovista,that i said hello and that my codename is Belleview" - Bono before opening night of Anaheim Elevation concert

Well tonight thank God it's them, instead of you...

BAW · 03-20-2002, 07:40 PM

The Smoking Gun has a whole section devoted to the banned vanity plate controversy including letters that various motor vehicle departments have received from other drivers who are offended by plates they've seen on the road. I never knew you could get a vanity plate that was only offensive if you read it from your rear-view mirror, for example EMWOLB (an actual plate)

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/blueplate/blueplate.html

drumkeeran · 03-20-2002, 10:38 PM

New York state allowed my family to have Red Sox logo "FNWYPK" and "NOMAH", so I don't see why GO Red Sox or Go Yanks wouldn't work except it might be too many letters depending on the specific plates. I've also seen someone in town with the Red Sox logo and "CURSED". I just think it's fun to be creative.

------------------
If your glass house should crack....POE

03-15-2002, 01:50 PM	#1
zonelistener ONE love, blood, life Join Date: May 2001 Location: six convenient metro locations Posts: 14,747 Local Time: 11:36 AM	ethnic or offensive license plates Interesting article: 'IRISH1' vanity plate violates restriction on ethnic references, state says Associated Press Published Mar 15, 2002 SOUTH ROYALTON, Vt. -- A few days before St. Patrick's Day, Carol Ann Martin was decked out in a pale green dress and bright green headband with shamrocks and leprechaun. The occasion was not a corned beef and cabbage festival but a hearing before the Vermont Supreme Court at which Martin's lawyer argued that she should be allowed to have "IRISH1" on her license plate. The case arrived at the high court after the state Department of Motor Vehicles said the plate violated its rule against references to ethnic groups. "The people of this state want to have words or phrases on their license plates that are positive and meaningful to them," Martin said after the hearing. "What's wrong with 'Irish'?" It's a fight seen in states around the country as they grapple with where to draw the line between free expression and words that might offend or serve as an invitation to trouble. In Ohio, the fight has been over a proposed plate saying "H8 MICH," a criticism either of nearby Michigan or its sports teams. The motor vehicle agency automatically rejects all requests for "hate" -- "H8" -- plates, as well as those that include profanity, drug references and ethnic slurs. "WINE" was the license plate at issue before the Oregon Supreme Court on Thursday. Michael Higgins, a 65-year-old retired wine merchant, went to court after his applications for plates saying "WINE," "IN VINO" and "VINO" were rejected. Oregon's motor vehicle agency bans references to alcohol, tobacco or drugs, along with vulgar or sex-related words. Higgins' question is this: "Why shouldn't people be able to put anything on a vanity plate that they can put on a bumper sticker?" Bonnie Rutledge, Vermont's motor vehicles commissioner, said license plates are state property, and their main purpose is to identify vehicles. "That is not really the purpose of a license plate -- to put out your own personal message," she said. Under Vermont law, the commissioner can reject an application for a vanity plate that "might be offensive or confusing to the general public." For example, Paula Perry of East Montpelier recently lost her bid to have "SHTHPNS" on her license plates. It's not what you might think: Perry said it stood for "shout happiness." At issue are rules the commissioner issued interpreting the law. Barred are "combinations of letters or numbers that refer in any language to a race, religion, color, deity, ethnic heritage, gender, sexual orientation, disability status or political affiliation." Rutledge said the rules are stricter than they used to be -- "IRISH" is on a set of Vermont plates right now, for example. At the Vermont Supreme Court hearing, Chief Justice Jeffrey Amestoy asked if a strict reading of the word "color" on the forbidden list might bar someone from having a plate that said "BLUE." John Bloomer, Martin's lawyer, expanded on that point in a later interview. "Under the current rule you can have 'GO SOX' but not 'GO RED SOX' and not 'GO YANKS," he said. The hearing had its lighter moments, including when Justice James Morse asked about more indirect ethnic references and referred to the word "SHAMROCK" on a license plate. "I think this close to March 17, it probably would be fine," Griffin said to a laugh from the audience. He needn't worry: "SHAMROCK" is eight letters and vanity plates are limited to seven. __________________

03-15-2002, 01:57 PM	#2
Sicy Sizzlin' Sicilian Forum Administrator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 71,093 Local Time: 09:36 AM	California DMV denied my plate titled: MOFO U2 Saying that it was offensive. __________________

03-20-2002, 10:38 PM	#12
drumkeeran War Child Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Upstate NY, USA - own personal Bono pleaser Posts: 959 Local Time: 11:36 AM	New York state allowed my family to have Red Sox logo "FNWYPK" and "NOMAH", so I don't see why GO Red Sox or Go Yanks wouldn't work except it might be too many letters depending on the specific plates. I've also seen someone in town with the Red Sox logo and "CURSED". I just think it's fun to be creative. ------------------ If your glass house should crack....POE __________________

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03-16-2002, 02:06 AM	#4
sulawesigirl4 Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,415 Local Time: 11:36 AM	I want a vanity plate! mebbe a real original one like SULA U2. wonders if it could possibly be construed as offensive

03-16-2002, 02:12 AM	#5
Achtung Bubba Refugee Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: One Nation. Under God. Posts: 1,513 Local Time: 11:36 AM	DUMGOVT

03-16-2002, 02:26 AM	#6
Lemonite I'm a chauvinist leprechaun Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Notre Dame, IN, 46556 Posts: 1,072 Local Time: 04:36 PM	. [This message has been edited by Lemonite (edited 03-15-2002).]

03-17-2002, 02:34 AM	#8
LarryMullen's POPAngel Blue Crack Distributor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: I'll be up with the sun, I'm not coming down... Posts: 53,698 Local Time: 11:36 AM	Too bad "ITLNBTCH" has two too many letters in it. ------------------ I hear voices, ridiculous voices

03-17-2002, 05:48 AM	#9
Angela Harlem Jesus Online Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: a glass castle Posts: 30,163 Local Time: 03:36 AM	We have those laws too, but stuffed if I can work out what they consider offensive. We supposedly cant use words like God and Sex. Yet I saw this plate once that was GODSY. Yet a few years ago a radio station did a shit stir phone call to the RTA saying they wanted a plate with GODLY on it and she said you cant have that. A while back, I saw this XR6, same year as mine with SEXR6. After laughing at what a tool he was, I wondered how he got it, and checked recently with the RTA site and it said SEXR8 (for my model) was available and suitable, would I like to order it. Go figure.

03-20-2002, 07:29 PM	#10
Miss MacPhisto Banned Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Planet Pleba Posts: 1,957 Local Time: 08:36 AM	I saw this one in the parking lot of a mall: 666DMV I think I'd like 666IRS! ------------------ Look...look what you've done to me...You've made me poor and infamous, and I thank you... My name is MISS MACPHISTO...I'm tired and i want to go HOME... "Well you tell...Bonovista,that i said hello and that my codename is Belleview" - Bono before opening night of Anaheim Elevation concert Well tonight thank God it's them, instead of you...

03-20-2002, 07:40 PM	#11
BAW The Flower Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The OC....!!!! Posts: 11,095 Local Time: 09:36 AM	The Smoking Gun has a whole section devoted to the banned vanity plate controversy including letters that various motor vehicle departments have received from other drivers who are offended by plates they've seen on the road. I never knew you could get a vanity plate that was only offensive if you read it from your rear-view mirror, for example EMWOLB (an actual plate) http://www.thesmokinggun.com/blueplate/blueplate.html