"Choose Life" License Plates
Can I just say - I love these license plates. I used to love pointing them out and saying, "There's an unconstitutional license plate!" but now I think the tides are changing. A Tennessee federal court has ruled that these license plates do not violate the First Amendment, even though proceeds from the specialty plates go to pro-life groups or adoption agencies.
I like the license plate tactic because there's little the pro-choice side can do about it. They can argue that the State doesn't promote both sides of the issue, but what's the alternative? Planned Parenthood tried to get a "Choose Choice" plate past the legislature, but as you can imagine, it didn't quite fly. As my First Amendment professor once said, "What are they going to do - have 'Choose Death' plates?" Right. That'll be a big seller. It just goes to show that the slogan "Choose Life" is pretty neutral.
Hurricane Relief
I'm back in Mississippi again with a group from Notre Dame. This time we're in Gulfport, one of the hardest hit cities. It's been a little surreal to see the destruction about 7 months after the hurricane hit. On the coast especially, there seems to be little progress. I think that's because the people on the coast just left everything behind and moved on. A little bit inland, and the houses were less damaged and people were more willing to stick around and try to make it work.
Anyway...we worked on a house today, preparing it for painting tomorrow. We haven't met the couple that owns it yet, but we should tomorrow. I'll post pictures once I return on Friday.
South Dakota Governor Signs Abortion-Banning Legislation
The South Dakota Governor, Mike Rounds, made a clear pro-life statement as he signed the Bill that would eliminate most abortions in the state.
"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them. "
Hopefully more states will pass similar laws before Planned Parenthood gets its grubby hands on them. They're expected to contest the law before it comes into effect in July.
To read the Governor's full statement,
go here.
Ash Wednesday
Here is Pope Benedict's Lenten address.
Lent is always bittersweet for me. I almost dread the sacrifices, but at the same time I know that these 40 days hold so much grace. It has seriously turned into my favorite liturgical season. When I was a kid, it was just about giving up something material, but now, the spiritual aspect of it takes precedence. Within the fasting, repentance needs to be the focus, and what comes of repentance is only joy.
Have a blessed Lenten season everyone!
