Crist: Don't like Jesus plate? Don't buy it.

 Earlier in the day, Weston Democratic Sen. Nan Rich said she wouldurge Gov. Charlie Crist to veto proposed license plates that depicted Jesus and that depicted a cross in front of a stained-glass window.

Asked about whether he'd veto the legislation, Crist said no way.

"I would not veto those .... No, I would not," Crist said.

So you don't have a problem with Jesus on a license plate?

Crist: "I don’t. No."

What about separation of church and state?

Crist: “If they don’t want one they don’t have to buy one.”

Is that state endorsement of religion?

"I think it ... What's it say? 'In God We Trust' on every single piece of monetary, coins and paper we have? I think it’s fine."

Marc Caputo

Comments

[1-n-done!]

"I think it.. What's it say?..."

That's freaking classic! Typical Chuckism...

[View from Afar]

wouldn't state gov't have to offer citizens the opportunity to purchase a tag that symbolizes and provides funding for jewish, islamic, buddhist, etc.? I would think it would certainly cause issues come next year if each of those groups come forward to lobby to get such a tag and for whatever reason they prove to be unsuccessful...which is why it is best to just keep them separate from the beginning....hopefully Deutch or Aronberg or Villalobos - someone with a law degree argue this on the floor of the Senate...

[Paul]

Charlie Crist is an idiot./

What would he say if since we have a choose life plate, that we wanted a choice plate.

Since there is no chance of Charlie having to make that choice his self, he would have a mental hernia.

He would have to ask Daddy what to do.

[Hrmm ...]

So, "In God We Trust" now = "In (Jesus) We Trust," in the official eyes of Florida? Isn't that the definition of the church-state separation problem?

[Kris]

So I assume I will also be able to get a pentagram plate, being a Wiccan??

[Someone]

"Isn't that the definition of the church-state separation problem?"

No. No it isn't. The definition would be if Mr. Crist said that Catholicism was the one true way, and no one could follow anything else. Stating his opinion has nothing to do with your right to attend any church you'd like.

What I do think is that, as another poster said, it opens the door to other interesting things with the plates. How do they challenge other plates if they don't like them? And perhaps they won't, or perhaps they have some litmus test.

But no matter what, unless laws are passed that no other group can worship, then this is nothing but his opinion. And truly one can choose not to buy the plates - and to vote him out of office. Heck, if you can get enough votes, you can force him out of office.

[Kenneth]

I'm not religious, but this seems sacrilegious to me - if you're really that keen on Jesus, I would think that slapping his dying face on your bumper would be a sign of disrespect. Seems kind of tacky to me.

[get-smart]

I'm going to buy one just for the HELL of it.

[Perfect Example]

This is a perfect example of why this process doesn't even need to have legislative/executive approval.

Each and every tag needs to go through a process that includes gathering signatures of people who would buy it...

And if the annual sales dip below a certain level, the plates are cancelled...

If someone wants a devil plate, let a group gather signatures and if they meet the guidelines, then let em have the plate... if their sales go below prescribed levels... cancel the plate...

[Monkey Mind]

As a Zen Buddhist, may I sugget an empty tag with nothing on it? Get Ray Sansom to stamp them out for even greater cost savings.

[Tina]

I hope someone comes forward next year to get 666 and a picture of the devil on a plate.

[Paul]

Hey Charlie,

How about a gay pride plate?

[.]

ohhhh, i can't wait to get one of these!!!!

i'm going to have the most offensive car imaginable!

[God helps us all]

As a Christian, this plate does in fact offend me.

This is why Jesus turned the moneychanger’s tables over in the Temple. This is what is meant by Thou shalt not take the name of thy Lord our God in Vain.

Vain = vanity = self-serving = corrupt politicians = Florida Legislature

[Jason]

It's like christians don't even get that they are making a mockery of their own god.

[J]

If this were any other "religion" there would be no problem, but for some reason people these days have a huge problem with Christianity. Our country was founded on Christian principles but everyone wants to ignore those now. Gov. Crist is right, if you don't agree with this, just don't buy one, its that simple.

[Oh Cheez Us]

Just now coming up with custom tag ideas

BLS FMY - BLASPHEMY
WEL HNG - WELL HUNG
THS BIG - THIS BIG
DNT PRY - DONT PRAY
GOT NLZ - GOT NAILS

[BeauB, Miami, Florida]

I want a Dali Lama plate!

[Kevin]

I am a religious person who is totally offended by any of these plates with religious or political statements on them. This is what bumper stickers are for, not state-sponsored plates. If a Jesus plate is okay, then Florida has to allow me to put an Allah plate on my car, too? I mean, duh, this obviously creates a host of problems, not least of which is inciting other drivers. Get a clue Crist and keep government out of turning vehicles into political sloganeering!

[Oh Cheez Us - take 2]

Will this fit on one of the plates?

My Pits Stink

[Jimbo]

I don't want to hear a word from the legislature against CAIR deciding to push a Muslim license plate next year, or the Scientologists find another money-making scheme by pushing a plate with Tom Cruise's face on it.

This doesn't breach "church/state separation" like some people argue, but this sure does open up a big can of worms. Something as divisive as religion should not be preached on the backs of cars. I can see the headlines now: "Outrage over Humanist plate causes two dead in road rage incident."

[John]

Pastafarians unite! Get your Flying Spaghetti Monster tag today!

[Hollie]

Who would get the proceeds from the tags? This is a fuzzy area and is why there should be a seperation of church and state. If you want a custom religious tag put it on the front or get a bumper sticker. The state should not get involved.

[.]

GOT NLZ - GOT NAILS

hahahaha

[Luby]

First of all I believe that The Times rigged up this license plate for shock value and I find THAT offensive. The bill indicates that the license plates would be for religious beliefs, so that if there were a demand for plates depicting other religions those could also be included. Please don't forget that our country was founded by those who felt that we should be able to express our religion freely, so why not on a license plate?

[woodsidhe]

Cool! Now the Wiccans and Buddhists, and Muslims can have one too! I look forward to the day when I can have a license plate with a pentacle on it as I drive down the road!

What, Crist? That's not what you wanted? Heh heh.....

[What to do...]

Which plate will I choose - Choose Life or the image of the real "one"...

I may have to go out and buy another car so I can have both... and this can be considered economic stimulus, because I will have to buy another fish symbol...

[Santa]

Sadly, this plate will be used by Obama's remade Homeland Security to target what they consider "Right Wing Extremists"

Since the War on Terror has ended through word play, Homeland Security is looking for threats to the Liberal Agenda.

"Mission Accomplished" Barack!

[Joseph]

“Please don't forget that our country was founded by those who felt that we should be able to express our religion freely, so why not on a license plate?”

Since when did expressing your religion “freely” mean spending money on a license plate… money that will ultimately be wasted by immoral bureaucrats in Florida’s version of Sodom and Gomorra.

Lay off the hippie lettuce, freak.

If Chuck even has one, he stepped on it here. VETO this… ‘cause you can bet yourass that someone will present one with Osama Been Forgotten on it and demand their religious equality.

[Melina]

As long as the religious nuts do not protest when there is a message on a license plate that they do not like. Oh wait - I forgot. Religious nuts=hypocrisy.

[I thought I saw a snow bird...]

Eliminate all specialty plates...

I can hardly tell who is from Florida and who is not anymore...

[Todd]

You're right Mr. Crist. If I don't want one I won't buy one. Just like if I don't want to re-elect you, I won't vote for you.

[William]

I agree with poster "Jimbo" that such divisive plates will introduce problems-- not only in motorist relations, but regarding tickets, traffic stops, etc. People will be able to claim that they were stopped because of their religious preferences (which officers will HAVE to look at on the plate)
I also agree that it seems sacrilegious, not only from the funny letters/words that some will add, but even from the believers.

[Hel-lo!]

Why should the governor veto it? It's a symbol for the overwhelming majority of people's faith in this country. Gov. Crist should be applauded for his statement today. Great point he made about the words "In God We Trust" being on our currency and also the words of the Pledge of Allegiance. Not too mention everyone from the President of the United States to our judges are sworn in on a Bible.

[zookeeper]

I too would like to know where the proceeds are going.
Watch the session! You would not believe the lengths the Rep. will go to to pay back the Dems for electing Obama and turning FL blue! It is really very sad-a new low for our state!

[Question for Hel-lo!]

Hel-lo! - which Congressman was it that wanted to be sworn in on a book other than the Bible?

[Dave]

I demand a Satan plate!

My Satan car will run your Jesus car down, losers!

[Edward Ringwald]

This license plate proposal is, in my opinion, a gross violation of the separation of church and state by the State of Florida. Perhaps Gov. Crist does not know what the separation of church and state is - this is embodied in the Constitution of the United States in the First Amendment as well as the Constitution of the State of Florida.

After all, we need to be thankful that we live in a free country where we have the right to exercise (or not to exercise) our freedom of religion. Religion belongs in the church, synagogue or mosque of your choice, not sanctioned by the state by putting it on a specialized license plate.

Now that's my two cents.

[You might need an Abacaus here]

One throughout U.S. history and how many have sir?

One back at ya "Question for Hel-lo!"

[dave]

Serious question:

"In God We Trust" is non-denominational. It refers to any higher power.

Jesus Christ is a specific figure for one specific religion.

If Florida allows this plate, how can they legally NOT allow every other religon its own plate too, without violating the Constitution of the United States?

I have no idea why Christians are so determined to stick Jesus's face in all of ours all day long, but it will be worth it, if I start seeing Flying Spaghetti Monster and Wiccan tags all over Tampa Bay!

[GoGators!]

This tag created a whole new debate. Were his pits manscaped or not. Was he a metro? Is this really how he wanted to be remembered, if he existed?

[Steve]

I want an atheist plate!

[Robert]

So i will say the same thing as Gov Christ says right now. except i want a SATANIC licence plate issued by the state, Dont like a satan plate? Dont buy it.

Fact is it is just yet another cave in to the religious right maffia in the USA

[John]

I have nothing against the plate or any plate, but don't we have enough personal plates as it is. It must be over a 100 by now and at least 10 times mroe than any other state.

[GoGators!]

Now that I think of it. Charlie might be getting a cut since he has the same last name. Conspiracy?

[jim]

Jesus belongs in YOUR church, YOUR heart, YOUR home...He does not belong in PUBLIC schools, PUBLIC courtrooms, PUBLIC parks and certainly not plastered to the back end of a car...show Him some respect...

[zookeeper]

Check out today's New York Times. "Choose Life" plate is going to the Supreme Court!

[Will S]

I am outraged by this depiction of a foreign-national on a United States state license plate. He doesn't have a green card or even a visitor's visa. Will the insanity never end? Where is Homeland Security when you need them to protect our borders?

[*]

Some how tax payers are forced to pay for them.

[Bizarro World Chuck]

Eliminate ALL specialty plates... and eliminate all images from while you’re at it… they're moronic. You live in Florida, here’s your Florida plate – it’s white and has green letters on it. If you don’t like the way it looks on your length-challenged-phallic compensation devise, toughsh-t…

This is Florida; we don’t waste time, money, or tax dollars on vehicle license plates… If you don’t like it, get the hell out… and take your vehicle with you.