Confederate Battle Flag License Plates

Appeals court hears dispute over design for Confederate battle flag on Texas license plates

Washington Post- November 6, 2013

1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/appeals-court-hears-dispute-over-design-for-confederate-battle-flag-on-texas-license-plates/2013/11/06/58127472-471e-11e3-95a9-3f15b5618ba8_story.html
2. Category of Problem/Issue identified in article: Legislatio
3. Level of problem/issue: State
4. This article is concerning a potential policy that is being considered to help a problem individuals and families face.
5. This issue affects individuals and families because of the effect it may have on their personal rights. Similar to the affect the Nazis had on Germany, the confederate flag itself offends many individuals.
6. Individuals, who display the Confederate battle flag through clothing, tattoos, or even simple flags on their walls, are often labeled “rednecks” or “hicks” in my book. It never occurred to me that these people could simply be showing their support of the Confederate soldiers and their southern heritage. There is a group of individuals who do want to show this support by creating a Texas license plate showing the confederate flag, though. I am all for embracing my southern heritage and supporting war veterans, but I am not so sure about this one. This could cause a great deal of turmoil for those were opposed to the Confederacy. Similarly to the affect the Nazis had on Germany before World War II, the simple site of the Confederate battle flag could bring up harsh emotions and could even offend many individuals. I do not think this is an issue that should even be brought back to the Appeals court, and I could assume that they do not have the time to debate over such trivial issues. Personalized license plates are not a necessity in life, but rather a luxury. An individual’s life is not changed for the better by putting a license plate on your car that displays the Confederate flag. If they want to express their personality through their vehicle, they are welcome to put a sticker on their car. Their defense is that it strips them from their right of freedom to expression. In my opinion, they are still able to express their freedom, just not through a state issued license plate.