Free speech vs. religious bigots

Most of us have heard the story about a lady in Tacoma who was offended by a license plate she saw on the highway. The personalized plate reads "JOHN3:16". The Associated Press reported earlier today on the final decision reached by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Vanity may be a sin, but a Christian message on vanity license plates is OK with the state of Washington. The Department of Licensing on Tuesday dismissed a complaint against a vanity plate imprinted with "JOHN316." "The plate is not offensive under our rules and was never in danger of being canceled," said Licensing Department Director Liz Luce said.

I am so glad that my tax dollars are spent on issues that have such grave importance to the future of equality in Washington State. The same issue has been raised in Vermont. The same AP article shortly addresses this similar case.

Meanwhile in Vermont, Shawn Byrne of Rutland is suing the state after it
rejected his bid for a "JOHN316" vanity plate. State attorneys contend the
license plate would amount to a state endorsement of religion.

At least we don't live in Vermont! Remember that Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democrat National Committee, is the former Governor of Vermont and Former Attorney General Gregoire is one of his prodogies...