Found the following article on the front page of the
Metro News, Ottawa edition. The irony is marvelous - just had to laugh! Badge of honour to some, mark of shame to others...
The potential for confusion & controversy is great: in addition to the proposed Ontario eco-plates (can anyone say international incident??), I know that the current licence plates for the state of Vermont are green... Just to be safe, maybe they should add this slogan underneath: "NOT A SEX OFFENDER!" ;-)
Green has another meaning
Licence plates identify environmentalists in Ont., offenders in U.S.
It's enough to make an environmentally conscious motorist turn green.
While Environment Minister Laurel Broten plans to offer green licence plates for energy-efficient cars next year - with perks like free parking or access to carpool lanes - at least three U.S. states are considering green plates for convicted sex offenders and pedophiles back on the streets.State legislators proposing the special plates in Ohio, Wisconsin and Alabama tout them as a public safety tool. Critics say the green plates for sex offenders are a form of public humiliation that could encourage vigilantism.And two Ontario border-area MPPs are worried about the dangers Ontario motorists with green plates could face travelling outside the province if the states pass the bills as part of sex offender registration and notification laws."Can you imagine - you're a granola cruncher, you've got a green plate, and you wonder why everyone hates you in Ohio?" said Progressive Conservative Tim Hudak.
"It's fraught with risk when the green plate may have different meaning in different jurisdictions," added New Democrat Peter Kormos. "It's the scarlet letter."
Broten and Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield announced plans for the "eco-licence" two days ago, arguing the perks would be another incentive for Ontarians to buy vehicles that are better for the environment.A spokeswoman for Broten was initially unaware of the Ohio, Wisconsin and Alabama proposals but later said Ontario will stick with its plans.
[TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE]
