In Defense of Personal Expression: Wendy Auger Fights for Her Vanity Plate
For fifteen years, Wendy Auger proudly showcased her vanity plate, “PB4WEGO,” as a way to bring smiles to others’ faces as she traversed the roads of New Hampshire. Yet, to her dismay, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) recently deemed it “inappropriate,” leaving Wendy both frustrated and perplexed.
Wendy firmly believes that the state’s rejection infringes upon her freedom of speech. Instead of offensive language, she sees the phrase “pe* before we go” as nothing more than parental advice. For her, the DMV’s decision seems like an unnecessary violation of her rights.
The acquisition of the coveted “PB4WEGO” plate was a long-awaited triumph for Wendy. Patiently awaiting its availability after the character limit was extended from six to seven, obtaining it brought her immense joy. However, now it appears to be slipping away from her grasp.
The state defends its decision by pointing to specific rules governing vanity plates, established based on a court order from years ago. But is it fair to force Wendy to relinquish something that has become intricately woven into her identity?
So, the question remains: should Wendy surrender her beloved vanity plate? As she tirelessly fights to uphold her right to keep it, she hopes that the authorities will reconsider their decision and recognize the innocence behind her chosen message. After all, personal expression should never be silenced.
