Of God, the devil and license plates

(The proposed "Trinity" plate, sponsored by Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando.)

Why worry about a budget impasse when you can spend more than a hour debating the value of new license plates? That's what members of the Florida Senate did today, spurred by concern over amendments offered by Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, and Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando.

Before it was all over, you had Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, invoking the devil to make her point: "What if someone comes next year and decides to vote on something that has the devil on it, and horns, horns on each side. I know that people are called the devil, but if the symbol of a devil is on it, I would not vote for that."

Storms' amendment was to create an "I Believe" license plate to benefit Faith in Teaching, an Orlando company that funds faith-based programs at schools. Senators wanted to know what the plate looked like, but Storms did not have an image. See ours. Sen. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, wanted more information on the company, wondering if it exists just to get this license plate. It took two voice votes, but Storms' amendment was adopted to SB 642.

Next it was Siplin's effort to get three license plates: a Florida Biodiversity Foundation license plate, benefitting that organization, and two benefitting the Toomey Foundation for the Natural Sciences ("Trinity" license plate and "Preserving the Past" license plate).

Siplin didn't have images of any of his license plates, either, but said the "Trinity" plate had an image of "my lord and savior Jesus Christ."  In fact, it does if you look above. At right, we have the "Preserving the Past" plate.

Several members had concerns about approving plates they had not seen. Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Delray Beach, wondered if it was right to have a plate with a religious symbol. Siplin addressed the debate in his close on the amendment.

"Members, these license plates were duly discussed in a full committee by our colleagues in the Florida Senate," he said. "It was universally voted upon without any dispute."

He pointed out that "FAMU has a snake on its license plate" and said, "I’m asking you to allow my constituents to share and enjoy these three diverse license plates, pure and simple."

After a not-so-simple vote (two voice votes, a board vote, a voided board vote, two quorum calls and finally one that counted), the amendment was adopted 22-13. 

Before the day was over, the Anti-Defamation League and the ACLU registered opposition and across the hall in the House, proposals for the same plates were withdrawn from legislation.

Comments

[Ned Flanders]

Well now we can avoid the Storms supporters doin 90 down the highway every half hour on their way to chuch.

[Extreme Wackos and RINOs have taken over the party...]

Who is in the middle these days?

I need to change my party affiliation...

[The process is in law...]

"Members, these license plates were duly discussed in a full committee by our colleagues in the Florida Senate," he said. "It was universally voted upon without any dispute."

Heck, there shouldn't be legislative review of plates... there is a process outlined in law in order to get one... legislative review only puts politics in the process... either allow specialty plates or don't...

THE FREE MARKET WILL DECIDE WHICH ONES HAVE THE SUPPORT TO KEEP BEING PRODUCED...

[Who voted for this...]

I hope all you idiots who voted for Storms the hate-filled bigot are happy! Our schools are in a shambles, our university face shutting down major programs, state employees are getting food stamps, people are losing homes because they can't afford their homeowner "insurance" and this witch thinks making a license plate featuring a cross is the most important issue we have?
What would Jesus think, Ms. Storms? What would Jesus think of your petty garbage?

[No. Just no.]

Toomey is a creationist, anti-intellectual front. This is outrageous! I am proud to say I didn't vote for ANY of these disgusting people.
I am a practicing Christian and I find this behavior revolting. A snake? REALLY? Are you kidding? This is like that idiot from Texas who thinks he "stumped" the energy secretary by asking "how did the oil get under Alaska?"
What has become of MY country?

[dc]

2 to 1 odds says Siplin's image of his lord and savior has blonde hair and blue eyes.

Obviously they need to pass a law requiring FAMU to change its mascot, cause we sure don't want snakes on license plates. Snakes be the devil!

[..]

DC -- you realize Siplin is an African-American, don't you?

[Not too hard to figure this one out]

The state government won't mind putting a religious symbol on license plates... that is if it's the "right" religious symbol. Get the hint non-Christians?

[.]

I consider myself a good follower of Christ but feel that license plate goes too far. It's essentially a tag so some group can make money. The Bible warns against symbols like this.

[moving now]

Well, this is a good start. As long as the ledge has time to waste, they should adopt the confederate flag plate, the machine gun palate, the burning cross plate, and the greed plate. Then we can have everything Florida’s conservatives stand up for. They can divide the profits between the tobacco companies and a for-profit organization that will purchase oil to spray on our beaches. Excuse me while I move to Mississippi.

[LutzFLDawg]

I would buy the dinosaur plate, not to support the Toomey Foundation for the Natural Sciences, but because it's awesome looking.

[Jamie]

Another Rhonda Storms nut-job proposal. We can think the people of her district for having such a mentally unstable person actually creating legislation. Can someone, anyone (Republican or Democrat) please run against this self-important showboater next election and take her down please.

[John]

Our elected officials not so hard on the job.

[I'm not bitter--just sad.]

I think this is very appropriate for our time. It looks to me as if his head is bowed in shame over being affixed to the big gas-guzzling vehicles of the “I got mine--Let the old, the sick, and the poor fend for themselves ” crowd.

Honk. Honk. Honk. Get the F out of my way. I got bitness to do.

[I'm not bitter--just sad.]

I think this is very appropriate for our time. It looks to me as if his head is bowed in shame over being affixed to the big gas-guzzling vehicles of the “I got mine--Let the old, the sick, and the poor fend for themselves ” crowd.

Honk. Honk. Honk. Get the F out of my way. I got bitness to do.

[Malcolm]

Oh hell naw. Siplin, are you nuts?

[agnostic]

I’m agnostic. I don’t understand this very well so please be patient with me. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
Is this what he stood for? Is this what he died for…to make the world same for Hummers, giant-wheel pickups, and BMWs.

[Santa]

Too bad the Federal Congress doesn't have license plates to debate. They have already finished their great work for the year, bankrupted the auto industry, ruined the economy, spent our children's tax dollars til 2100, and ended the "War on Terror" by eliminating the word. "Mission Accomplished" Barack, Nancy, Harry, Barney, and Chris. Maybe Obama will write a book on ruining the US and give it to his pal Hugo Chavez.

[expat]

How about Sansom on the cross?

[crystal]

Other than the Toomey Foundation website, i find little information on them in a google search...well other than stories about the license plates. I am not even sure what they do, I see science grants with religious quotes.

I am so glad we have sent the likes of Rhonda Storms to screw up the state instead of just Hillsborough county. Her usual m.o. of spending times on things that aren't crucial.

How many pastors, deacons, ministers, priests, etc are going to tell their congregations that if they don't get this tag they aren't supporting their faith. Spend money to prove you really love God! Yeah, that sounds like the Bible I've read.

[crystal]

Other than the Toomey Foundation website, i find little information on them in a google search...well other than stories about the license plates. I am not even sure what they do, I see science grants with religious quotes.

I am so glad we have sent the likes of Rhonda Storms to screw up the state instead of just Hillsborough county. Her usual m.o. of spending times on things that aren't crucial.

How many pastors, deacons, ministers, priests, etc are going to tell their congregations that if they don't get this tag they aren't supporting their faith. Spend money to prove you really love God! Yeah, that sounds like the Bible I've read.

[Frannie]

Whatever hapenned to the separation of Church and state???

[Your tax dollars at work]

If legislators weren't busy with nonsense like this, they could actually finish with the budget and get done on time instead of costing us $40,000 per day.

[Ed]

I'm hopeful that Florida will join with Texas and start a movement to secede from the USA because Florida can't seem to keep from embarrassing the rest of the nation.

[David]

Does that mean all religions will be represented equally? Because I'd really love to have a Star of David license plate.

[Wayne]

If they pass these, I demand equal representation and the authorization of a Flying Spaghetti Monster plate. Why are my views any less valid than anyone else's?

[rayon]

When do I get my Atheist plate? Storms clearly was not born with Hans Delbrook's brain.

[Butch Fernandes]

All Hail The Flying Spaghetti Monster !

[bird]

Vanity plates should be done away with period. They are a big waste of money.

[Correction, please!]

6:17 Everything you mention was already accomplished by this time a year ago under Bush. You should know, you voted for him - twice.

[Domenico Clericuzio]

Wayne & Butch, I'm an agnostic, but I'm here to tell you that the Flying Spaghetti Monster movement is just plain stupid.

[Paul]

If people want to advertise their faith, let them get a bumper sticker.

I really don't care what they feel or do.

The state should remember the separation of Church and State.

[Vox Populi]

@ Domenico Clericuzio

What? The FSM movement is "just plain stupid"?

No! And all other religions aren't?

Get a grip and get real - I'm not agnostic, I'm atheist (in fact, as you might tell, I'm antitheist) and not scared to be. I am one hundred percent sure of my beliefs since the facts support them. There are no facts in religious belief: none.

This issue about the plates is an utter disgrace and total embarrassment to all and any thinking person. Storms is a first rate idiot and garners the support of others of her ilk.

Sorry to be so blunt and perhaps even offensive but the 16% of us in the US that hold no brook with this outdated and ancient group-speak organized into "religions" need to speak out and be heard with no fear of reprisal.

Thank you.

[Really Bad]

Vox and Wayne said it all. I's a church-going believer, but this is just wrong. The state has no business in my church, and vice versa. If Jews want a license plate, will they get one so easily? The Senate should be ashamed. This violation of "less government" is what's driving people away from the Republican Party by the thousands.

[eyes wide shut]

Moving now,
Don't forget the "I'm Proud to be Stupid" anti-education plate.

[Robin 'Roblimo' Miller]

I keep seeing those "Choose Life" license plates and wondering when the Goth punks are going to get a "Choose Death" plate in the spirit of fairness.

[lessard]

This is not just a case of "let them have their license plates" - this is just one of Storms fanatical attacks on our freedom from her fundamentalist faith. Last year she fought against evolution; she's a nutcase. And I don't get that the license plate can fund faith-based programs at schools?? Heh??

[Paul D. Harvill]

Gotta keep what's left of the Republican base happy with the trivial -- meaning vehicle tags.

[Santa]

Hey "Correction Please", you should pull your head out of Nancy Pelosi's... book and come to grips with the fact that your heros knew about what they now call "torture" and condoned it! Also it is a FACT that Obama and his Congress have tripled our debt in less than 100 days.

In 2010 we'll have a correction...

[mad moderate]

Ummm Mr santa,bush had us past 10 trillion sept 30th 2008.
Are you trying to tell us that pres Obama has raised our debt to 30 trillion in 100 days?
Perhaps give up the extremist propaganda media for a few weeks.
I am sure limbaugh-ites tell stories like this often,doesn't make them true.
I like the story about hastert NOT having a air force jet for his use only after 9/11 just like pelosi,,,and yes,I also have heard your hero gingrich lie about it.
Wanna hear some more lies commonly told by the limbaugh-ites/fox news?

[omgninja]

I agree with "The process is in law..."

So let's make one with a negro hung from a tree and let the free market decide.

[Vox Populi]

@omgninja

It is people like you that disgrace not only yourseves but the rest of us thinking adults that live here in the States. You, 'santa', Storms and your ilk would be laughable were you not so damned scary and so utterly contemptible.

[pippi]

I appreciate what Vox Populi has posted: clear, articulate, intelligent posts in opposition to a ridiculous religious license plate supported by the state.

If anyone cares to read Section 3 of the Florida Constitution, you might see that these license plates should be unconstitutional and I surely hope our Supremes will see it that way as well, because I doubt Governor Crist will have cohones to veto it.

[Dogbert]

Nice, a tortured corpse on a license plate.