'Choose Life S.C.' license plates to be available soon

Posted by jamgoldberg on May 28, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To the people that designed these, what do you really know about an abortion. I personally have a pro-choice bumper sticker, but to have a DMV issued license plate, showing the governments views on abortion, is something totally different. These plates somehow depict the views of all people in South Carolina, and I for one do not share these views.

Posted by jifdeng3 on May 28, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with the above poster. I am pro-choice as well, and the State should not be endorsing either side of this argument. If someone is so pro or anti anything then they should buy a sticker. When is the state going to come out with a pro choice plate, or how about a pro islam, buddism, wiccan, hindu, etc plate.

Posted by Tammie on May 28, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was also about to ask if a pro-choice plate is available...If you want to display your views on abortion, religion, etc., you shouldnt have to spend $30-something plus to do so. JMO

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on May 28, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In order to "start" a new plate,someone has to have funding,support and champion for it.I know in another state I lived in thats how it works.I don't view this as the state endorsing anything.No more than they endorse Clemson vs Carolina vs Masons.You can get a plate now for about anything-such as amateur radio.This plate in no way reflects or endorses a religion either.Pro choice plate,Pro life plate- it doesnt matter to me.I don't find it offensive at all to express your belief in life.I agree a sticker is cheaper though :)

Posted by summerville_guy on May 28, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Pro choice" would not be the opposing plate for one saying "Choose life." Think about it - the reason that people who are against abortion have to say "choose life" is because it is already a choice that any woman gets to make in our state. If there were no choice to make, meaning abortion was illegal, then "Choose life" would not make any sense, because "life" would be the only thing allowed by law.

So if you want an opposing plate to the "Choose life" plate, then suggest something that depicts the other choice. You could pick the polar opposite "Choose death." Or the literal option "Choose the vaccuum for your fetus." Or you could go with the politically correct and somehow less offensive "Choose abortion."

"Pro choice" is not an agenda. It simply means that you support the laws already in place in our state. Do you want a plate that says "Pro seatbelts" or "Pro clothing in public places"? That would be taking things a bit too stupid.

There are plenty of "choices" you are allowed to make by law in our state, so how about suggesting something a little more specific than simply "pro choice"? Let's make it literal and make it happen, people!

Posted by jamgoldberg on May 28, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These views should not be on a license plate. You can not say that a pro-life license in even in the same class as a plate with a sports team name on it. "Choose a vaccumn for you fetus", what an awful thing to say, what do you know about an abortion. There is much more involved than that.

Political and religious beliefs do not belong on a license plate. There is time and a place for most things, but not on a license plate.

Most personalized plate cost extra money.

Posted by Test2007 on May 28, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Honestly I wish I could say this surprises me but it does not.

Posted by summerville_guy on May 28, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jamgoldberg, I said that "Choose the vaccuum for your fetus" would be the literal interpretation of abortion. I stand by that. According to the article on Abortion found on wikipedia:

"In the first 12 weeks, suction-aspiration or vacuum abortion is the most common method.[11] Manual Vacuum aspiration (MVA) abortion, consists of removing the fetus or embryo by suction using a manual syringe, while electric vacuum aspiration (EVA) abortion uses an electric pump. These techniques are comparable, and differ in the mechanism used to apply suction, how early in pregnancy they can be used, and whether cervical dilation is necessary. MVA, also known as "mini-suction" and "menstrual extraction", can be used in very early pregnancy, and does not require cervical dilation. Surgical techniques are sometimes referred to as 'Suction (or surgical) Termination Of Pregnancy' (STOP)."

You say that is an awful thing to say. I say it is an awful thing to happen, and trying to sugarcoat it rather than literally looking at it as what it actually entails is a grave injustice to the lives at risk. Think about it.

Posted by jamgoldberg on May 28, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can tell you, Mr Summerville_guy, I have had an abortion myself, for medical reasons, and I can say that a vacumn was not used. It was the toughest choice I ever had to make and I would make the same one again.

As my bumper sticker says: Abortion - never an easy choice, sometimes the only choice and alway a womans choice. Don't judge people that have had or may have an abortion, you have no idea all that is involved.

Posted by summerville_guy on May 28, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who said I was judging anyone? I am just saying let's call a spade a spade.

Posted by jamgoldberg on May 28, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How can you say a spade is a spade, when your opinion is judged on what you have read, not what I have experienced?

Posted by YankeeLiberal on May 28, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would echo the comments of jamgoldberg - SummervilleGuy, you are judging, no two ways about it. You are sugarcoating it yourself, call your views what they are! Couple of points here:
1. This program is state-sponsored, as in the proceeds of these plates that you can ONLY BUY FROM THE SC DMV will be used to fund "Pregnancy Care Centers", which aim to intimidate women from exercising their medical rights ("The tag will cost $35 in addition to DMV fees. The money raised will help fund services at the Association of Pregnancy Care Centers, including one in Charleston."). Can I buy a plate that will use proceeds to fund Planned Parenthood's efforts at sex education, free birth control to those who need it, etc. I hope not.
2. This is another example of Republican, white males imposing their morality on everyone, no use sugarcoating that eh? Doesn't the GOP advocate small government, unless it's on issues where they will try and legislate their interpretation of morality?
3. Do not judge (yes, judge) another without walking in their shoes, eh? How would I, as a white male, claim to understand what jamgoldberg's experiences have been?
4. And yes, sadly this does not surprise me at all.

Posted by meow on May 28, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's rant on about medical abortions. I think everyone agrees that there are instances that abortion maybe necessary. However, the fact of the matter is that too many people use it for birth control. You may choose to abort or you can choose to be responsible for your actions. I for one, would like to see welfare AND abortions go away. People will learn very quickly how to keep their pants on. Just my view as proud father and tax paying American.

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on May 28, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OK people!I said it above.If you don't like it-start your own plate.Obviously the pro abortion passion that you and your comrads share isnt passionate enough-or you too would have a plate.It's an opinion-not a religious statement.Is it so hard to understand that?Would someone have to be some religious nut in your eyes to be pro life? Absolutely NOT.No more so than someone who is pro choice being a mass baby killer.I agree with SummervilleGuy in the sense that too much is sugercoated now to be politically correct and not offend anyone.

Posted by jamgoldberg on May 28, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If you take legal abortions away, then people also in my case would not be allowed to have an abortion. I am also a proud mother and a tax paying American. Good parents are the key in preventing people, that use it as birth control, "to keep it in their pants." Kids are curious and if parent don't constructively discuss sex with their children, they are going to want to try it and see what it is all about. Same as parents talking to their children about drugs and alcohol. Kids need the facts and guidance to make good choices.

Posted by jamgoldberg on May 28, 2008 at 8:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How can you not see the difference in a state plate promotion pro-life or even pro-choice or any kind off issue that could be offensive or a plate stating a sports team or anything else. It just doesn't belong a plate, PERIOD!!!

Posted by meow on May 28, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, now if we have "curious kids" I guess that is a good enough reason to permit them to kill a fetus. Break out the vacuum.

Posted by jamgoldberg on May 28, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What do you really know about it, you aren't any smarter than summerville-man. I guess you missed my point. Hopefully, if a parent talks their child about sex and the consequences, they won't have to get an abortion for birth control.

Posted by dr_fed on May 28, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here is proof positive that the SC legislature is a bunch Red Neck retards following the strong arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. The biggest losers in this whole deal are the taxpayers of SC who will have to pay the legal bills from the lawsuits that will follow as a result.

I agree with the other posters that there should be a pro choice plate as well. Taxpayers should not promote the hidden agenda of that wolves in sheep's clothing organization called the Southern Baptists.

Posted by YankeeLiberal on May 28, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Meow, wouldn't you agree that it's not your place, and especially not the government's place, to tell a woman what to do during a difficult decision such as abortion (or in this issue, to issue license plates that strongly imply the state endorsing the "pro-life" movement)? I also am a proud, very protective father of two young girls, pay my taxes, am a military veteran, and (as you can guess) a card carrying liberal. And I don't intend to "permit" my daughters to "kill a fetus," as you absurdly imply, but when the need arises, will I permit them to hear sex education information? You're darned right I will (after which I will calmly let them know that we've decided not to let them date at all???).
Your words reveal either an extremist, or just maybe an instigator??

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on May 28, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm loving all these assumptions-like I'm a bible beating religious nut or that I'm ANTI abortion-I AM NOT EITHER.I personally believe in the option of abortion for rape,incest,endangerment of the LIFE of the mother or child.Personally I HATE most all sports-I find those tags obnoxious and offensive.I would probably support a stand on NO "tag solicitation" at all.Certainly rather than tags that only liberals approve of.

Posted by YankeeLiberal on May 28, 2008 at 11:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

coolbeans, no one assumed any of that of you...just of the some of our other posting friends here...point is, state govt. is exposing it's right-leaning views in endorsing the "pro-life" movement by selling these plates, and they don't belong in that business. How about some more worthwhile things, like improving the public education system (use the "education lottery" money for early childhood public ed, perhaps??), improving the roads (you gotta admit they suck), protecting the environment, etc??

Posted by nesseca on May 29, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'd be happy to fork over the money to get one of these plates.