Thursday, March 01, 2012

Utah legislators concerned about Martin Luther King plates

"Utah Afraid License Plates Honoring Martin Luther King May Support Abortion" by Robin Marty, care2.com

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Usually when it comes to controversies over license plates and choice issues, the instigating factor are "Choose Life" plates being created by the states, with donations going to fund religious, anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers.
But in Utah, an abortion debate is being fought over a different type of plate — one honoring the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, conservative lawmakers are criticizing  proposal to create special plates in honor of the civil rights leader, with a portion of the proceeds going to promote "human rights."  Opponents say "human rights" is too broad a category, and worry that one "right" may be a woman's right to choose. "Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, asked Roderic R. Land, chairman of the Utah Martin Luther King Human Rights Commission who pushed the bill with [Rep. Rebecca] Chavez-Houck, to define human rights — and asked him if he personally feels abortion is a right. Land responded that he is pro-choice. Daw said the wording of the bill was too 'wide open.' He said, 'We leave ourselves open for things that frankly I don't agree with,' and opposed the bill."
Other "rights" that concern the lawmakers are education and ending hunger, both of which the Utah politicians state should not be issues the government gets involved in.
Apparently the legacy of Dr. King isn't terribly inspiring to Utah Republicans.

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