There’s been national coverage over the recent decisions by the Texas state government to reject a specialized license plate sought by the group Sons of Confederate Veterans and to approve a design that supports Calvary Hill, a Christian anti-gang organization in Nacogdoches.
The Confederate Veterans’ Sons are suing the state for the right to their plates. Meanwhile some groups are complaining about the Calvary Hill plate, which features crosses and the words “One State Under God,” though the slogan is part of the official Texas state pledge, and other plates have featured crosses, like these for the University of St. Thomas.
On what grounds is it OK to approve one and not the other, especially since acquiring either is an entirely voluntary act? The Confederate flag, and the fight to preserve the horrors of slavery that it represents, is seen as a symbol of hate by many. That seems like a sensible enough disqualifier. But do some atheists find the presence of crosses on a government-issued item equally as offensive? Perhaps.
That’s not what I’m here to debate. I’m here to point out the most heinous offense perpetrated by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles: allowing so many terrible plates on our roads. The following are the five worst.
5. Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network
The problem here is as much about the name of the sponsored organization as it is the design. Why should anyone be in favor of stranding marine mammals? How cruel are these people?
4. State of the Arts
A plate meant to celebrate the creative energy of our state, with the blandest design possible.
3. Our Energy
This is one of the corporately sponsored plates. I’ll grant that only someone who works for the Houston retail energy provider Our Energy is likely to get this one. But should the state allow any plate to look like a piece of junk mail affixed to the back of your car? At least Mighty Fine Burgers had the decency to make their plate appear delicious.
2. Aerospace Commission
Umm, it’s for the Aerospace Commission, yeah? Where’s the space shuttle? Or rockets? Or some super-cool jets? Anything?
1. General Issue Plate
This is the one most of us have, the officially issued primary plate. It’s a mess that looks to have been concocted by a committee of grade-schoolers. Wick already pointed out that the design, which was the winner among several put up for an online vote, is an argument against democracy.
