The Scoop: My license could soon contain Barney
A trip to the driver’s license center may soon be in my future.
That’s because the driver’s license center is the first place I’m heading if a Muslim woman is granted the right to have her picture made wearing a veil over her face.
Believe it or not, a Florida judge is seriously considering this case thanks to everybody’s favorite neighbor, the ACLU. The ACLU accepted the case of Sultaana Freeman and argued against the state of Florida that forcing her to have her bare face photographed would violate her religious freedom.
My response is Freeman can enjoy whatever kind of religious freedom she likes. If she wants to sleep with scorpions as a way to achieve spirituality, I’m certainly not here to say she shouldn’t be able to do it.
But if Freeman wants to drive a car, she needs to abide by the laws of the United States. It’s that simple. Your freedom of religion shouldn’t be a free ticket to break the law.
Let’s say — for hypothetical purposes only — that I suddenly discover a new-found religion that requires me to walk the streets with a live alligator. Regardless of what some loudmouth attorney from the ACLU would argue, wouldn’t most folks have the sense to realize an alligator is a huge safety risk? And I would expect to get laughed out of a courtroom for bringing up such a request.
Freeman’s case, for whatever reason, is receiving serious consideration. In fact, the judge said she would issue her ruling this week which means the decision is likely to come today.
What I can’t figure is what’s taken the judge this long to render a verdict. Considering the constant threat of terrorism, I classify this case as a no-brainer.
Attorneys with the state of Florida have rightfully argued that having an easily identifiable photo on a license is a matter of public safety. How would an officer be able to identify Freeman during a traffic stop? What if she’s asked to show photo ID at the bank?
The way she has shown up for court appearances, all you see under the veil are two eyeballs. It looks like there’s a white woman behind the mask, so for all we know it could very well be Michael Jackson under there.
If Freeman gets her way, it’s going to open the door for religious fanatics everywhere. If she can get her driver’s license photo made with a mask — in the name of religion — what’s to stop me from driving 90 mph on the interstate, in the name of religion of course.
I think my new religion should allow me free admission to McMinnville’s new city pool since I need to be submerged in a large body of water in order to pray.
No, scratch that. My new religion is going to forbid me from paying for food at the grocery store because I believe all people should be furnished with nourishment at no charge.
We live in a country which is just ripe for a terrorist attack. To be honest, it’s a great testament to our homeland security that we haven’t had another attack since Sept. 11.
We don’t need to hold open the door for terrorists and allow them to parade around our country without so much as an identifiable photo ID. If the judge rules in favor of Freeman, you can bet there will suddenly be an abundance of “Muslims” getting driver’s licenses in Florida.
And I think I’m going to have my driver’s license picture made in a Barney outfit. That’s based entirely on religious conviction of course.
(James Clark is editor of the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].)