Monday, Nov. 16, 2009

IN FOCUS: 'I Believe' license tag

License tag foes miss the point

Federal Judge Cameron Currie rules the "I Believe" tags are unconstitutional for they promote one religion over another religion.

Religion is a practice. Christianity is away of life and not a religion.

Ask this astute jurist to please explain, in light of her ruling on the tags being unconstitutional how the U.S. Postal Service can print stamps the honor Islam.

People do not have to purchase the license tags, but if they plan to mail letters they will need the stamps.

Maybe someone out there can explain why we have allowed ourselves to become so stupid here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

KEN LAWS

Columbia

Time to stop Andre the activist

I read that the courts have come to the correct opinion on the "I Believe" vanity plate, and I am stunned by the ignorance and arrogance of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer. I can appreciate that he feels strongly enough about his own beliefs that he wants to "witness for enduring fundamental values," but he must realize that he cannot drag the state into that belief structure. To refer to Judge Cameron Currie as a "liberal judge" and that this is another case of "judicial activism" is dead wrong. If anything, he and the entire state Legislature are guilty of "legislative activism." Their unanimous passage of a law that authorizes the DMV to create a license plate that says "I Believe" is one thing; but to further codify that law so that the license plate "must contain the words 'I Believe' and a cross superimposed on a stained glass window" is highly prejudicial to every religion that does not use a standard Roman cross in its symbology. That is clearly showing favoritism or endorsement of one religion or sect over another.

My tax dollars should never have been used to support or defend any one religion over another.

Andre Bauer and the Legislature should immediately drop any pleas for Attorney General Henry McMaster to appeal this ruling. And if they fail to drop this case, Mr. McMaster should use his God-given common sense to realize that any further use of state time or resources to defend this unconstitutional law would be counter to the oath he swore upon taking his job.

A. THOMAS PRICE

Goose Creek

Bauer, McMaster wrong on license plate

I don't know who to attribute the quote to, but it's been said that when you mix religion and politics, all you get is politics. Separation of church and state is so simple, I don't believe Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and Attorney General Henry McMaster are being sincere in their outrage.

SAM SCOVILLE

Georgetown

Tag doesn't establish a religion

Would someone please send the honorable Judge Currie a copy of the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution? Since no one will likely want to get involved, I'll cite the appropriate words: "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion; or, prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or, abridging the freedom of speech. ... " Under the doctrine of incorporation, the first amendment has been made applicable to the states. Therefore the states must guarantee the freedom of religion in the same way the federal government must.

Read it again. That's "establishment of religion," not from religion. I read it several times and could not find a trace in the amendment which possibly could be construed to mean that laws could be enacted to prevent the exercise of Christianity, or freely speak of it, in order that Muslims and atheists, et al, might not be offended.

This is all about the "I Believe" license plate, and please note that the tag does not read, "YOU Must Believe." In " 'I Believe' tag killed by judge," on Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer states that he and his political rival, Attorney General Henry McMaster, agree that "... it's time for Christians to stand up for what they believe." Whatever one's political opinions about Bauer or McMaster might be, true Christians cannot rightly disagree with that statement.

So, to Judge Currie and anyone else who takes her position, I say: I own my vehicles. I pay taxes to drive on S. C. roads. I believe. Are you perhaps threatened by my Christian belief? No, you just want to rule your way, not the constitutionally correct way, because you can.

JOYCE MARTIN

West Columbia

Lieutenant governor crosses the line

Referring to the Wednesday article by John Monk about the "I Believe" license tag, specifically the remarks by Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer demeaning the excellent jurist who decided the case, such remarks are inappropriate. The case was decided by a judge much admired as a dispassionate scholar and it confirmed a fundamental constitutional liberty protected in South Carolina since the John Locke Constitution of 1669: religious freedom.

It is unfortunate that certain powerful officials should attempt to restrict the independence of our judges by attacking their integrity.

We in South Carolina have an independent judiciary, above politics, dispensing justice without fear or favor. Disrespectful comments about our judges are shameful and unacceptable. We cannot permit faith and confidence in our judiciary to be undermined by the intemperate remarks of losers who ignore the law.

REECE WILLIAMS

Columbia

License plates are matter of choice

After hearing this long legal debate about license plates, I guess I missed the boat someplace. What was the judge or anyone else thinking? If we can trust in God, then why can't we believe? We have different plates catering to different organizations. Doesn't it all come down to personal choice? Just another thought to throw into the ring.

ARTHUR LIME

Irmo

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