Some will call it pandering to the Bible-thumpers.
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Some will call it a nifty example of outflanking the political opposition.

Some will call it a meaningful gesture by a governor with very deep Christian roots, toward those who feel that religion too often has been needlessly driven out of the public square.

We're talking, here, about Gov. Steve Beshear's push for an optional Kentucky license plate with "In God We Trust" on it.

That's been our national motto since 1956, but it first appeared on our coinage in 1864, so its use has a long history, and there's nothing radical about putting it on the license plates of Kentuckians who want it there.

Indiana already has "In God We Trust" plates, and they're hugely popular.

Count us among those who strongly support the separation of church and state, but who believe religion sometimes has been wrongly or needlessly excluded. For example, we have supported student-chosen graduation speakers who decide to talk about their faith. We have agreed that the Good News Club should have the same access to school facilities as other student groups. We say there's a place for the Ten Commandments in a truly representative display of historical documents. We think removing "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" from coins would be foolishly provocative.

We think Florida, on the other hand, went too far in its recent failed effort to offer a Christian license plate -- a mistake South Carolina is trying to repeat.

Anybody who objects to an "In God We Trust" plate can shell out $10 extra for one of those that reverence Nature.
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We atheists and freethinkers should write letters of protest to the Courier-Journal and to governor Beshear. This weak governor is already campaigning for re-election by pandering to the religious right.

Where did the pasted article come from and who wrote it?

This is an editorial in today's Courier-Journal. They never say which editorial writer wrote it.

Religious extremists infringe on other's lives in many ways that I think we need to fight against. Why, for instance, can't I buy wine on Sunday in Kentucky? Why is some of my tax money going to religious organizations? Why is stem-cell research being discouraged by our government? Why should I not feel safe to fly on a commercial airline?

All of these things, and many more besides, are due to religious extremists either imposing their values on us, twisting government powers to fulfill their agendas, or doing crazy-ass things that put others in danger. They should be fought against because they affect us all.

But if the state can make some money because some fundamentalist Christians want to have a license plate that says "In God We Trust" on it, then I say TAKE THEIR MONEY! That's not going to hurt me in any way. And if it means more dollars for our pathetic state budget and if even a tiny fraction of that can get back to me in some way (by helping fund the universities, for instance) then it's a good thing.

I think we need to pick our battles wisely.

Cheers
--Dan

The editorial was ambiguous, but it appears that we would have to pay an extra $10 not to have "In God We Trust" on our license plates which would be an infringement on our rights and a violation of the First Amendment.

If "In God We Trust" is forced on me then the next bumper sticker on my vehicle will be "In No God I Trust" and the battle goes on.
I really hate wasting time on such stupid ideas but that's one way of protesting without having to defend my position...... Besides, I'm starting to like pissing them off instead of placating them. They are nothing but tyrants.

I see where you're coming from. I didn't interpret the last lline of that editorial the same way you did, but now I think your interpretation was correct. However, the writer of that editorial misunderstands Beshear's proposal. Take a look at this article:

http://www.courier-jo...

The pertinent quote from it:

"owners could get the plates -- which have been controversial in other states, including Indiana -- as an alternative to the current standard-issue "Unbridled Spirit" plate at no extra cost."

"In God We Trust" would not be put on all license plates by default, causing those who don't want it to pay $10 for a specialty plate, as the editorial suggests. Instead, Beshear is proposing that a specialty plate be created with "In God We Trust" but that those who want it should not have to pay the standard $10 fee for it. To quote Beshear:

"that national motto belongs to every American and indeed every Kentuckian. In my opinion nobody should have to pay extra to have that national motto reflected on their license plate"

Now THAT, I think, is indeed a problem. Beshear is blatantly wrong. SOMEONE has to pay for it. Specialty license plates don't just appear out of thin air. So the fact is that if people who want the "In God We Trust" specialty license plate don't have to pay extra for it, that means that all of the tax payers of Kentucky are paying for them. Now THAT, is infringing on those of us who don't believe in gods, and I agree, that at least deserves a letter. In fact, I think I'll go send one to the editor of the C-J :-)

Thanks for bringing this up.

--Dan

Take a second look next time you are at the county clerk's office. Not ALL specialty plates cost money and some just need to be asked for. We are paying extra in taxes for other license plates too. Even if they pay, that's sending the wrong message from government to the people. It's stating the government is taking a religious side. If more states keep doing this, we have a very dangerous road ahead for those who aren't xian (religious or not). I don't think it can be stopped, however, until that motto is pointed out for the fraudulent, constitution breaking, bullshit that it is. It's a full-blown xian motto and to pretend otherwise is an affront to all non-xians.

Thanks Devin. Great points.