In today's Detroit News, columnist Laura Berman pens an attack on legislation to create "Choose Life" license plates in the state of Michigan.
Berman's column makes a variety of errors.
Berman claims allowing drivers to purchase "Choose Life" plates is somehow a governmental intrusion. No reason is given for how simply allowing drivers who wish to select a specialty plate is an intrusion into their lives.
She erroneously claims the license plate will cost the state of Michigan "$15,000 up front." The non-refundable up front costs are actually paid for by organization sponsoring the plates, not the state of Michigan. The state also makes money on every specialty plate which is sold.
Berman then claims that in other states the money raised from "Choose Life" license plates have gone to "‘pregnancy centers' that have been accused of providing women with false medical information and overtly religious messages." Berman fails to mention that the pregnancy center accusers are abortion advocates. She also can't bring herself to recognize the good work of pregnancy centers which provide their services for free to women and families in need of diapers, baby food, formula, cribs, strollers, baby clothes, help with finding resources, etc.
Finally, the original piece (which has now been corrected) showed that it was thrown together in haste and lacked the eye of a competent editor. Berman continuously misspelled the name of the legislation's sponsor, Senator Patrick Colbeck. First, she claimed his name was "Frank Colbeck" and then proceeded to spell his last name "Kolbeck" through the rest of the piece.
LAURA BERMAN'S ERROR-FILLED EDITORIAL
MORE INFORMATION ON CHOOSE LIFE LICENSE PLATE LEGISLATION
FAQS ABOUT CHOOSE LIFE LICENSE PLATES
