Tuesday, May 21, 2013

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Judge denies "I Believe" plates in SC
Posted: 12.11.2008 at 10:31 PM
2

A federal judge is weighing in on the new "I Believe" specialty tag that South Carolina lawmakers recently approved. 

Her ruling... stop the press. The tag violates Constitutional rights protecting all faiths. 

Ayesha Kahn is with the American's United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington-based organization that feels the license plate featuring a cross on a stained-glass church window shows unconstitutional state preference for Christianity.

"The speech clause is designed to protect private speakers, not the government speaking," said Kahn.

On Thursday, Judge Cameron McGowan Currie issued a temporary injunction saying the plate violates the separation of church and state. Attorney Kevin Hall represents the state Department of Motor Vehicles. He says this is not the end of the road.

"We are disappointed in today's outcome, but this is just one step in that process," said Hall. "And we will obviously see that process through."

The state will have a chance to appeal, but Thursday's ruling halts all marketing and manufacturing of the "I Believe" tag. 

Attorney General Henry McMaster on Thursday issued the following statement regarding the U.S. District Court's injunction blocking the "I Believe" license plates: "I am extremely disappointed in the Court's ruling, and feel the 'I Believe' license tag is completely constitutional. I will strongly urge and recommend that the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Corrections immediately appeal this decision to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals."

Question: Considering how long and expensive the appeals process can be, is this the best use of taxpayer dollars while many state agencies are strapped for funding?

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