Gov. Kaine Signs Bill for "Choose Life" License Plates

By Jeralyn, Section Civil Liberties
Posted on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 07:14:50 PM EST
Tags: abortion, Tim Kaine (all tags)

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DNC Chair and VA. Gov. Tim Kaine may lose some support with his signing today of legislation approving "Choose Life" license plates in Virginia.

[H]is decision could echo among women's activists who are among the most powerful financial supporters of the party.

“It is surprising that Governor Kaine would do this, but it’s all the more surprising that he would do it as chair of the DNC,” said Paulette McElwain, the president of the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood.

Gov. Kaine also made this promise today: [More...]

“Furthermore, if Planned Parenthood—an organization that is already a recipient of state budget funds—or another similar organization ever chooses to seek a specialty license plate in Virginia, I believe the Constitution would require the state to approve that plate to protect against any viewpoint discrimination.”

Can someone please introduce a license plate in Virginia that says "Choose Life" at the top and "End the Death Penalty" at the bottom?

While Gov. Kaine is to be commended for his veto Friday of a bill that would have expanded the death penalty to murder accomplices, Virginia still has executed more inmates than any other state except Texas.

If you choose life, you should be against the death penalty. Period.

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Gov. Kaine Signs Bill for "Choose Life" License Plates | 33 comments (33 topical)

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Why is the DNC chair (5.00 / 3) (#1)
by oldpro on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 07:35:21 PM EST

a sitting governor?

Not good. Everything he does - or does not do - as a governor will be extrapolated to the Democratic Party.

Party leadership...ugh. Not another dime from me.

And Tim Kaine (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by KeysDan on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 07:57:04 PM EST

was a contender for the vice presidential nod. And then there was Evan Bayh, leader of the newly formed "moderate" Democratic caucus, organized to make sure that nothing happens. Of course, Mrs. Clinton was out. Boy, Joe Biden is looking better and better--even though he did make the president mad for making that joke about Chief Justice Roberts' inability to give an oath right, the first time through.


: That's basically what was going through (5.00 / 3) (#10)
by nycstray on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 08:14:19 PM EST

my head when I read this info. Partly why I'm not a Dem anymore. Not liking who's rising to the top.
Who knew Biden would be a relief as VP?!

"This is What a Feminist Looks Like" (5.00 / 2) (#2)
by Pacific John on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 07:46:45 PM EST

Or something.

Oh Nay, Nay (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by pluege on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 07:46:46 PM EST

"Choose Life" pertains only to the unborn. Its bloodlust r us to the max for the living...kill 'em as fast and as often as possible.

It would be more accurate (5.00 / 3) (#8)
by Dr Molly on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 08:04:56 PM EST

for them to say "choose fetus" or "choose unborn life" because that is what it really truly is.


{puts design skills to work} (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by nycstray on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 08:17:25 PM EST

heh, great call and would love to see them on the highway. reality check 101.


You're correct, Dr. M, but accuracy doesn't (none / 0) (#26)
by DeborahNC on Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 02:52:01 AM EST

necessarily figure into the R.'s decision-making or intent.
The R.'s were way ahead of us in using the power of framing when developing their message. Why should they say, "We're anti-abortion," when they can say with a smile, accompanied by a look of self-satisfaction, "I choose Life!"

And then, there's the tacit import of their slogan. If we're pro-life, then the Dems must be pro-death, or worse, pro-murder.

Besides, a governor should'nt be allowed to be the DNC chair, because his/her gubernatorial actions give the impression that they reflect the Party positions. But hey, maybe that's why Obama wanted him for the position, now that we're the new, improved, all-embracing Democratic Party. We have something for everyone! Ha.


: You're so right about the framing (5.00 / 3) (#28)
by Dr Molly on Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 05:28:32 AM EST

What has always perplexed me about the 'choose life' crowd is how they get away with being so utterly simplistic about it. There is not even the pretense of considering the moral ambiguity of weighing two lives - the life of the fetus and the life/wellbeing of the mother - never mind the obvious problem of being 'pro-life' but pro death penalty and pro war. And somehow they get away with it.
Well, my new motto is 'republicans are loathsome, but democrats are pathetic'. I don't know which is worse sometimes.

Perhaps (5.00 / 3) (#9)
by CoralGables on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 08:07:29 PM EST

we could just go back to the old days where each state had a single license plate and you could go on vacation and try and spot all 50 states, and eliminate all the silly license plates that are out there. Florida currently has 113 different license plates for passenger vehicles (and counting).

There's a little game I play when I'm (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by Anne on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 08:37:37 PM EST

driving: when I see a license plate with "Choose Life" or a bumper sticker with "Abortion Stops a Beating Heart" or "It's a Child, Not A Choice," I check to see whether the driver is wearing a seat belt. Would it surprise anyone to know that in many cases, no seat belt is being worn?

One of these days, I am going to take the opportunity to - politely - ask one of those drivers why, if they are such advocates of saving lives, they don't "choose" to wear a seat belt.

: And, those are the ones who, if ever in (none / 0) (#16)
by Inspector Gadget on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 09:10:23 PM EST

an accident would sue the other driver for the injuries they suffered.
They will loudly declare they have a right to manage their own safety....like the don't tell me I have to wear a motorcycle helmet people.

Did the (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by Ga6thDem on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 08:53:03 PM EST

Bush term really end? I have my doubts between this stuff and the wall street bailouts.

: Oh, and you forgot (5.00 / 2) (#23)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 10:53:44 PM EST

the "more aggressive negotions with auto unions".

I never liked Tim Kaine (5.00 / 4) (#15)
by aeguy on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 08:54:54 PM EST

anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-stem cell research, Republican-like hawkish views

That's the chair of the DNC!

: Catholic missionary to (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by oldpro on Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 12:31:08 AM EST

Honduras.
Patriarchy.

How about... (5.00 / 3) (#19)
by Dadler on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 10:19:25 PM EST

Choose to pay Fair Wages
Choose to follow the Golden Rule
Choose to be more generous than required
Choose Compassion
Choose Choice (irony there, no?)
Choose for All Types of Feet

Sorry about that last one.

: As Someone (5.00 / 2) (#22)
by CoralGables on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 10:40:27 PM EST

that is a fan of Oregon's Death With Dignity Act, and now with Washington State following suit, perhaps we can have a ...
Choose Death
That would sure stir it up and possibly put an end to license plate punditry.

I wonder if he would sign (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by joanneleon on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 10:35:33 PM EST

legislation for a license plate supporting choice?

Geez, he's not even running for reelection.

: Apparently, he did say that a group (5.00 / 3) (#27)
by DeborahNC on Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 02:57:38 AM EST

could get a customized license plate if they get 350 people to prepay a $25 fee. Also, he said that if Planned Parenthood wanted to apply for a plate, that he would grant it. Who knows?

he can't run for re-election, (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by cpinva on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 11:50:06 PM EST

in va, gov's cannot succeed themselves.

ok, so someone needs to start a petition for a "Choose Choice" license plate.

i drive the I-95 corridor down to richmond nearly every day. most of the vehicles i see with the "choose life" type stickers are either a. minivans or SUV's, with a woman behind the wheel., or b. cars with a man behind the wheel. what, if anything that says, i have no clue.

we pretty much knew what we were getting with kaine, but the alternative was worse.

Nay? (3.50 / 2) (#5)
by diogenes on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 07:52:33 PM EST

So much for the old fashioned liberal commitment to freedom of expression. I guess we live in post-liberal times now.

: Freedom of Expression? (5.00 / 4) (#7)
by squeaky on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 08:00:25 PM EST

Not when it comes to the state disseminating evangelical propaganda.

: What? (2.00 / 1) (#17)
by The Addams Family on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 09:14:22 PM EST

So much for the old fashioned liberal commitment to freedom of expression. I guess we live in post-liberal times now.
People here are expressing their dissent from a view being exprssed in Virginia and elsewhere, so what's the problem? How is anyone's freedom of expression being constrained?

Hmmm (none / 0) (#4)
by squeaky on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 07:50:00 PM EST

Wonder if the new plates will result in more highway deaths due to car crashes.

Anyone else feel like getting a (none / 0) (#13)
by NJDem on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 08:42:35 PM EST

"Mind Your Own $%&*#@ Business" plate? kdog, you in? :)

Seriously, I say no political messages or preaching--it should be about state pride and a bit educational. Just my 2 cents...

Well, pols are pols or something. (none / 0) (#20)
by masslib on Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 10:31:08 PM EST

I mean, principles are passe, no?

And if you choose death, (none / 0) (#29)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 11:44:10 AM EST

And if you choose death, you should be for the death penalty. Period.

Seems like the logical rejoinder.

Seems to me (none / 0) (#30)
by Bemused on Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 12:00:40 PM EST

that "public forum" analysis should be employed, leading to the likely conclusion that a state may choose to allow no personal or group political expression on license plates but if it chooses to allow any such expression it should not deny based on whether the expression is favored or disfavored (with the exception of profanity, advocacy of crime or insurrection, and perhaps words reasonably viewed as provocative to a degree creating a substantial risk of disorder).

I might see denying "white power" license plates or other similar expressions, but denying people their right to express a position on a political issue in a non-confrontational manner would and should only lead to legal action.

Either do away with the plates or provide equal opportunity for all.

Whats the big deal (none / 0) (#31)
by catmandu on Wed Apr 01, 2009 at 12:25:49 PM EST

Pro choice license plates can be petitioned...it only takes $15,000 to cover expenses (so my state claims. Are they still produced by inmates?)

the big deal (none / 0) (#32)
by Bemused on Wed Apr 01, 2009 at 12:40:51 PM EST

is that free speech sucks when some people speak in favor of things other people don't like.

: No (none / 0) (#33)
by squeaky on Wed Apr 01, 2009 at 01:50:30 PM EST

The big deal is that it is state sponsored free speech, and clearly that speech should not take a position about abortion.

Read my comment #30 (none / 0) (#34)
by Bemused on Wed Apr 01, 2009 at 02:21:03 PM EST

then if you have something to say.....