WASHINGTON, D.C. - Douglas R. Scott, president of Life Decisions International, today called Planned Parenthood's opposition to "Choose Life" license plates "more of the same pathetic whining we've heard year after year."

In Planned Parenthood of South Carolina v. Rose, the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina ruled that South Carolina's "Choose Life" license plates are unconstitutional because the state did not authorize pro-abortion license plates as well. Renee Carter and Planned Parenthood of South Carolina (PPSC) joined to filed the lawsuit in September 2001. A court enjoined the South Carolina law in November 2001. The ruling of the U.S. District Court made that injunction permanent.

The U.S. District Court struck down the law on First Amendment free speech grounds. According to the court, the law constitutes unlawful "viewpoint discrimination" in a private speech forum by authorizing speech by individuals who wish to communicate the "Choose Life" message, without authorizing similar speech by pro-abortion car owners.

Not surprisingly, PPFA referred to the South Carolina law as a "scheme" and its hierarchy was quick to hail the decision. "The federal court's ruling in South Carolina regarding the 'Choose Life' license plate scheme is a clear victory for free speech," said PPFA President Gloria Feldt. "Sanctioning speech by anti-choice individuals but not by pro-choice individuals was unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution."

Scott said that states have a right to promote life and the license plates could apply to many issues, not just abortion. "Aside from the fact that Gloria and her friends view most everything as a 'scheme,' the fact is that a 'Choose Life' license plate could have many meanings. It is shocking to see that the multi-million dollar PPFA and its affiliates would spend their donor's money on something so trivial. Are they really that afraid of the 'Choose Life' message?"

Scott had more criticism of the abortion-committing group. "Since when is Planned Parenthood concerned about free speech? Planned Parenthood is eager to censor any speech that does not support its agenda."

Scott proposed a compromise. "If Gloria is all that concerned and truly thinks it makes much different, we would not oppose a 'Don't Choose Life' or a 'Choose Death' license plate. After all, that is really what they mean to say," Scott said. Alternatively, Scott urged Planned Parenthood to accept license plates that directly deal with abortion. "We would accept an 'Abortion Kills' plate and an 'Abortion is Good' plate. It is clear that Planned Parenthood puts life and death choices on the same level of right and wrong."