Forced Pregnancy Message

[DeclinetoState]

The state of Tennessee has a slew of "specialty" license plates from which to choose, should you so desire. They could be adding a new "cause" (http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/state/article/0,1406,KNS_348_4551551,00.html) to the 120 specialty plates, should ACLU-TN not appeal the US Court of Appeals, 6th Curcuit decision.A federal appeals court Friday allowed Tennessee to offer anti-abortion license plates bearing the message "Choose Life."

A three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati overturned a lower-court ruling that said the tag illegally promoted only one side of the abortion debate.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/images/spacers/spacer.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD width=0><XCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1 src="http://adsremote.scripps.com/js.ng/site=KNS&pagetype=ARTICLE_DIV&category=NEWS&vgncontent=STATE&adtype=UNSIZED_AD&Params.styles=img_sponsor,html_sponsor&PagePos=5"></XCRIPT></TD><TD width=20>http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/images/spacers/spacer.gif</TD></TR><TR><TD>http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/images/spacers/spacer.gif</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>"Although this exercise of government one-sidedness with respect to a very contentious political issue may be ill-advised, we are unable to conclude that the Tennessee statute contravenes the First Amendment," Judge John M. Rogers said in a 2-1 ruling.
Rogers said the First Amendment does not prohibit the government from using private volunteers to put out its message - even if that message is controversial or politically divisive.

Please note, that in our misogynist state legislature, a "Choose Chioce" plate failed. One-sided? You bet your bippy. A violation of the First Amendment? SCOTUS said yes.Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a lower-court ruling that said similar South Carolina license plates violated the First Amendment.

Tennessee looks to add itself to a list of 13 other states that violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution.




Thoughts of an Average Woman (http://toaaw.typepad.com/toaaw/)

"Choose Choice" is a tautology. "Choose Death" or "Choose Abortion" would make more sense (and be more honest).

[Peachdiane]

"Choose Choice" is pretty darn idiotic. What if a woman "chooses" to keep her legs closed or "chooses" to keep her baby?

I agree, "Choose murder" is more truthful. Let's quit prancing around and tell it like it is.

[DesertFox]

Choose celibacy.

[DeclinetoState]

ACLU's hissy fit (http://www.aclu.org/reproductiverights/gen/24696prs20060317.html):

ACLU Troubled By Appeals Court Decision Allowing Anti-Choice License Plate in Tennessee<!--EmailTitle End--> (3/17/2006)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclu.org

CINCINNATI – The American Civil Liberties Union said it was troubled by a Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decision today allowing an anti-abortion specialty license plate in Tennessee. In promoting an anti-choice plate, while opposing a pro-choice one, the state has set up a discriminatory scheme, the ACLU said.

“We are disappointed that the court said that Tennessee can use state dollars to promote one viewpoint while silencing another,” said Julie Sternberg, Senior Staff Attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project. “The decision permits discrimination and fails to protect free speech.”


Stop the ACLU's response (http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2006/03/17/tennessee-%E2%80%9Cchoose-life%E2%80%9D-license-plate-upheld-by-court-of-appeals/) to the ACLU:

Of course the ACLU are troubled (http://www.aclu.org/reproductiverights/gen/24696prs20060317.html) and crying about the decision. Isn’t it funny that an organization that claims to protect freedom of speech are always the first to fight to censor it when they don’t agree with it?