var json_comments = new Array("
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El_Red
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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This will be a valuable experience for inmates. Will make car theft more effective.

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1 replies
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hotdogsunrise
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@El_Red: And, they'll be made in a prison close to where I live!


Seriously, though, at this point I don't think this is going to happen. There's such an uproar about it.

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SG-Cleve
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Designed to clash with your car regardless of what color it is.

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5 replies
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perruptor
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@SG-Cleve: Those are the colors NY used 40 years ago. Now, as then, we'll be able to spot the NY cars from far behind them. That will tell us which lane to avoid.

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MikeM_inMD
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@perruptor: I thought I remembered that color scheme. I didn't realize it was that long ago, but it was during my childhood, and since I'm now 50, I guess it was that long ago.

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rorschachex
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@MikeM_inMD: perruptor is mistaken. Those colors have been used on all NY plates except the 1986-2000 Statue of Libery white plates (e.g. Kramer's ASSMAN plates on Seinfeld) and the current plates, which I still feel are the best plates we or any state have.

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perruptor
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@rorschachex: No, I am not 'mistaken.' If I had said \"NY stopped using those colors 40 years ago,\" I would be mistaken. I did not say that.
[www.15q.net]

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KMan13 still wants a Pontiac G8
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@SG-Cleve: even bright yellow sports cars aren't this color. ugh, so not looking forward to this.

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aliasmisskat
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@SG-Cleve: Unless it's one of those horrible orange and blue Charger monstrosities I see around here all the time. Perfect match. Can I send them all to New York?

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supercereal
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Yeah, didn't NY mandate that everyone change their plates over to the current style just a few short years ago?

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3 replies
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CapHwys
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@supercereal: The current plates were introduced 8 years ago.

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Laura Northrup
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@supercereal: The last car I remember having with the liberty plates was in 1998.

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Radi0logy
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Yet more proof that the government has too much power.

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4 replies
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perruptor
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Radi0logy: Put your shoes on. The Man will be at your door momentarily.

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jessedybka
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Radi0logy: So you'd like to pave and maintain your own roads and traffic systems?

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ecwis
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@jessedybka: Other states manage to maintain their roads and traffic systems without creating new and ridiculous taxes.

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jessedybka
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@ecwis: My point is that driving isn't a right, it's a government regulated and provided service. If you don't like the conditions of driving (which in my case is about $50 a year for a weensy sticker), then you either don't drive or you take your chances getting caught.

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Julius Seizure
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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But the NY Times said \"The new $25 license plate fee, which will be phased in as drivers begin renewing their two-year vehicle registrations in April, is up from $5.50 in 2001, the last time the state went through a full plate replacement program. Other states, like California, have never charged a fee for mandatory plates.\"

Doesn't that mean you won't have to get them until the current plates expire?

Regardless, the colours are shall we say less than pleasing to the eye.

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9 replies
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CapHwys
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Julius Seizure - Canuck:
When NY does a plate replacement, everyone has to get them when their registration gets renewed. Plates don't expire in NY until the DMV issues new plates.
And then, once they issue new plates, the old ones are then illegal for use.

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schance
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@CapHwys: In Washington state, you have to pay for new plates every 7 years. This is so that you will have nice shiny reflective plates for the speed trap troopers to aim their lasers at (since we also require that a plate be displayed on the front of the vehicle).

This is from a state that stopped sending two registration stickers for your plates at renewal several years ago to save money. (We only display the sticker on the rear plate.)

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snobum
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Julius Seizure - Canuck:


NY plates will expire within 2 years. So by 2012, everyone will have to replace their plates.

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Shoelace
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Julius Seizure - Canuck: Plates shouldn't routinely 'expire', and certainly not in less than 10 years. If your plates are unreadable then the police can give you a ticket.

If NY wants to collect all this money then they should at least have made sure they had an attractive design. This one is reminiscent of pre-1980's plates, which weren't all that pretty but were standard for then.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Julius Seizure - Canuck: Physical plates only cost $9/pair in IL, but I pay $91 freakin' dollars EVERY YEAR to \"renew\" the plates.

And if I lived in Chicagoland, I'd be paying another $100 for a \"sticker\" from my municipality.

$45 doesn't seem so bad to me. Though those are UGLY plates.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): seems like NY is feeling left out by the creative ways chicago has come up with to empty the wallets of residents

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@catastrophegirl: Car ownership in Illinois is SUCH a racket. And occasionally a literal racket when corrupt pols use it as a place to launder their bribes.

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Skipweasel
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): I'm a rather sedate driver - if I want to get to town in a hurry it's probably quicker to take a bus the way their loony drivers hare about. Wtih a return fare and taking account of parking charges it's about even for one passenger - but a car full is a lot cheaper of course.

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frodolives35
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@coren: Because now they can afford to fix a potholes.

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frodolives35
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@frodolives35: insert the word few. Please Please Please edit button.

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ColoradoShark
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Wow. That is obnoxious. Wouldn't it be refreshing if they were honest and just upped the license fee by $25 rather than adding the BS \"reflect New York's force and its resilience\" statement? That would raise more money and be somewhat less annoying since you don't need to break out a screwdriver to replace the plates.

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4 replies
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Agent19488
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@ColoradoShark: At least everyone in many states have the same damn design. How many different Colorado plates can you spot on our roadways in the average day?

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Aesteval
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@ColoradoShark: I think they've already increased the actual license fees starting this past (current) fall. If nothing else, I'm pretty sure MTA regions are seeing increases in some fees to help fund the MTA as well.

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wjamny
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Aesteval: You're right. I just got my registration renewal which included a $60 \"Use Fee\" of which $50 is for the MTA surcharge. I think my head exploded when I got this - I drive to work and pay large gas taxes yet I'm subsidizing someone's train ride because they didn't want to raise rates or find a way to lower expenses. Now I'm mandated to get new plates. All these politicians need to go because all they know how to do is raise taxes and fee, and enrich themselves.

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nybiker
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@ColoradoShark: Wait a minute. You want honesty from a New York State (or City, for that matter) politician? Very funny. Your theory sounds good. Probably not going to happen though.

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PsiCop
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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WTF indeed! Those plates are hideous-looking.

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1 replies
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CFinWV
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@PsiCop: They really are hideous. The current NY plates aren't bad at all, I feel bad they have to trade them in for these things.

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whitneyvegan
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Maybe it's an effort to cut down New York's obesity percentage. Dump your car and walk, fatty.

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3 replies
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blandname
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@whitneyvegan:Did you possibly consider the effect that this will have on the working poor, the elderly on fixed incomes, the disabled people on fixed incomes, or the effect it will have on skinny people, who through injury, disease or some other misfortune can't walk very well, and can't afford to take taxis everywhere? Or the people in rural New York where public transportation is unavailable? Because we know the automobile was invented by Jabba the Hutt for the sole purpose of transporting \"fatties\" so they don't have to walk and, god forbid, lose weight, right, amirite? Because we know they must like being fat, otherwise they would all be skinny and perfect like you. Because we all know obesity is the result of laziness and sloth, and never brought on by illness, poor genetics, or injury. You seem to like judging people by size, do you judge people by race too?

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TopcatF14B
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@whitneyvegan: Why is there always some douche bag who has to hate on fat people...

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NotYou007
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I have seen much uglier plates than those but does NY not have specialty plates? In Maine you can get pink plates to support the fight against breast cancer which is a good cause but I think those plates are just as ugly as those above for the article.


A pink plate only works on a pink car. Any other color the plates stand out like a sore thumb.

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4 replies
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evilpete
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@NotYou007: pink plates would be useful in deterring someone from stealing the plates off your car.

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PatrickPortland
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@NotYou007: We have waaaaaay too many plate options in Maine.

The traditional: The default chickadee passenger, Agriculture, Combination, Hire, and Antique Auto, and Firefighter

Vanity: Animal Welfare, Black Bear, Breast Cancer Support, Conservation, Custom Vehicle, Lobster, Purple Heart, Street Rod, Support Troops, Sportsman, University of Maine, Special Veteran, Wabanaki

Plus a bunch of disabled: Conservation Disability, Disability Special Veteran, Disabled Veteran, Disability

Plus vanity plates for commercial, trailers, and more...

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Alys Brangwin can't stop the beat
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@PatrickPortland: There are a hell of a lot of styles here in South Carolina too.

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PatrickPortland
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Alys Brangwin can't stop the beat: Wow, yeah, a lot of options indeed. Who came up with the \"Homeownership - The American Dream\" plate?!?!

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@PatrickPortland: In some states, you just have to get X number of people to sign up saying they'll get the vanity plate if it's offered, and they'll offer it. I've lived in both North Carolina AND Illinois when the alumni group was getting folks to sign on for a Notre Dame plate. I assume the threshhold is whatever number lets them break even on the production cost plus a certain profit level for the state.

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PatrickPortland
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): Yeah, we have a similar arrangement. We need 2000 signatures and $40,000 to get a plate started, and 4000 sales for it to be kept alive.

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Sudonum
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@PatrickPortland:
Check out Florida, I count 94 different plates available.

[www.flhsmv.gov]

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veronykah
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Sudonum: I sure liked the NASCAR one, seems so appropriate for Florida.

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schiff
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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This is extortion plain and simple. I have no idea how I can fight this as a NY resident but the more NY flexes its muscles the closer I get to moving out of NY.

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7 replies
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Cant_stop_the_rock
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@schiff:

If this is extortion then all taxes are extortion.

I'm blown away by how worked up people get over $25.

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Rachacha
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@schiff: NYS DMV provides the following explanation for why they are pushing for replacement. As a long time former NYS resident, I can say that this explanation makes sense. I left when the Liberty plates were still being used, and they were looking pretty shabby. In Maryland, our plates lose their reflectiveness after 2-3 years. Combine that with the fact that NYS does not place registration stickers on the plates, it becomes difficult for police officers to ensure regustration is current unless he is stopping you for some other reason.


\"Periodic re-issuance of vehicle plates is important for overall highway safety, law enforcement and the general integrity of the vehicle registration system. The visibility of reflective vehicle plates decreases with time. The legibility and reflectivity of the current Empire plates, introduced in 2001, was only guaranteed for a maximum of five years. The current plates will have been in use for 10 or 11 years when they are replaced by the new Empire Gold plates. Vehicle plate re-issuance also helps to ensure compliance with motor vehicle registration and insurance requirements.\"

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TouchMyMonkey
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@schiff: No, extortion is \"I'll do X to you if you don't do Y for me.\" The word you're looking for is shakedown.

Apart from the ugly colors, it's been eight years since we changed plates. Have you seen what NY plates look like Upstate after a few years? It's time. I'm not even complaining about the $25. NY auto registration is still a bargain compared to some states I've lived in. People just like to bitch.

Want to complain about something, New Yorkers? Complain about skyrocketing property taxes. Complain about the new bottle bill, which mandates deposits on bottled water, but not on water with flavoring (like Vitamin Water). That's an Albany screwup if I've ever seen one.

$25 for new ugly license plates every eight to ten years. Really. The fact that they're ugly as sin far outweighs the $25 shakedown.

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nybiker
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@HurtsSoGood: If one's plate is damaged or defaced or otherwise not legible, then the owner should (or must, I suspect if they get ticketed for it) replace it. But all of us should not be forced every 10 years to replace 'em.

And, IIRC, it was Pataki who put into law the banning of any and all license plate covers. Maybe it is Cuomo. All I know is I got ticketed for having such a plate cover on my car, and I was trying to protect my vanity plate from damage since those plates cost more not only upfront but every time you renew your registration.

And trust me, we NY'ers complain about everything every day. For those of born here, it's in our blood. It's probably a more unifying theme than sports. We have the wonderful MTA, along with increasing water/sewer rates, jacked up property taxes, just-increased sales taxes (we're not the worst yet, though), budget problems in the state & city, noisy & annoying neighbors (well, I have one in particular, so it's a problem), and traffic delays & wacky drivers that make one wish for a less stressful way of commuting.

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wcnghj
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@HurtsSoGood: What do you pay for registration in NY?

In Maine a new car owner pays $600-$1200(no kidding) for the first year PLUS a $35 registration fee.

____

[www.maine.gov]

For example, a 3 year old car with an MSRP of $19,500 would pay $263.25.

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baquwards
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@wcnghj:

AND, that isn't sales tax rolled into the loan, it has to be paid when the temporary plates run out!! You also pay a huge sum every year after that.

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nybiker
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@wcnghj: In NYS we are charged by the weight of a car. Here's the info: [www.nysdmv.com]


And if you are lucky enough to live in NYC (and other counties), then you get to experience the joy of paying more fees. And if you hit the trifecta by living in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD), you pay again. BTW, NYC is part of the MCTD.

So, let's say that when I am working again, and I buy a new Nissan Maxima (I leased one from 2006-2009 and liked it), I will pay the following registration fees:

Assume a weight of 3951 - 4050: $69.00

NYC fee: $30

MCTD fee: $50

Total 2-year registration fee: $149.00 or $74.50 per year.

Of course, sales tax, license plate, inspection are not included in the registration total.

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wcnghj
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@nybiker: Sounds cheap.

Assuming $34k MSRP.... a Mainer would pay $816+$35 registration.

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TouchMyMonkey
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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They should have gone back to the Statue of Liberty plates they had in the 80s. Those were nice.

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6 replies
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nybiker
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@HurtsSoGood: I still have my Liberty plates, so I could just reuse them.

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redstapler
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@HurtsSoGood: I loved those plates and have secretly resented the upstaters who threw a fit because the 'City\" isn't the State. Do upstaters not enjoy liberty too?

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Covertghost
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@redstapler: In before \"why do they hate America?\"

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GirlCat
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@HurtsSoGood: Those were bland. All of the designs post Orange-and-Blue were bland. This is a step in the right direction. I remember my disappointment when they first changed to red, white and blue plates: It was like I'd suddenly moved to North Carolina. Bland, boring, blah. Bring back the state colors, they have personality.

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@HurtsSoGood: Illinois had a poll, oh, 10 or 15 years ago now when they were updating the plates, about changing the \"Land of Lincoln\" slogan that we've had forever on the plates to something else.

The top vote-getter was \"Illinois: The S is Silent\" so they stuck with Lincoln. :D

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KMan13 still wants a Pontiac G8
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!): lol at least that would have been funny. that's like the city having a \"now leaving brooklyn ... fuggedaboutdit\" sign ... which we do have, it's real. lol

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GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Well, it's easy to understand why the plates are so ugly. Patterson has something against the non-cane swingers, which explains his increases on taxes for artwork and books, yet tax breaks on sunglasses and books on tape.

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7 replies
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rpm773
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: Yeah, but isn't it well-known that the blind sometimes possess stronger sensory perception elsewhere to compensate for their lack sight?

Even if he couldn't see the yellow, I'd think Patterson would be able to feel the phosphorescent radiation emanating off of that thing, at least enough to realize it may not be the best of choices.

Or perhaps he'd hear the gasps and shrieks of horror when it was unveiled.

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bjdhtgjvbhdgd
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@rpm773: A blind person will tell you that it is a myth that they have stronger (non-sight) senses.

Do you think people who are deaf develop better eyesight? It makes no sense.

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rpm773
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Method of Steepest Descent: I hear what you're saying. I see what you mean.

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bjdhtgjvbhdgd
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: This is blatant bigotry against the disabled. This sort of sick comedy has no place in legitimate adult discourse.

Attack his policies all you want, but what you're doing is childish and wrong.

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Trai_Dep
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Method of Steepest Descent: Your \"childish and wrong\" comment is blatant bigotry against the young. And ethically-challenged.

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GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Method of Steepest Descent: @The Black Bird: Just FYI, I have helped raise two Seeing Eye Dogs and contribute to the Seeing Eye regularly.

Also, FYI, I am from NJ, a state which Governor Patterson apparently has a beef with, and insults regularly.

@Method of Steepest Descent: Actually, IIRC, there have been studies which show that, in people who are blind, the portion of the brain which is helps process vision will start to process other senses, due to the neuroplasticity of the human brain.

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The Black Bird
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: I see, you justify making a bigoted comment because you did something positive (assuming you really did). Does that mean if you contribute to the NAACP you feel you can use the \"N\" word? I sure as hell hope not, but if you do I truly hope you say it in person, to people who will take you to task over it.

There is absolutely no reason for you to make bigoted comments and nothing you do or say gives you the right to do so.

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RedwoodFlyer
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@The Black Bird:

Q: What does the \"N\" in NAACP stand for?
A: I don't want to get the banhammer.

What does Pontiac stand for? Poor old national thinks it's a cadillac

Btw, I feel that I can use the \"N word\" because I'm a living, breathing American. I don't need to donate to some pro-racist/separation of races agenda'd organization to allow me usage of words that black rappers use 24/7.

You're right that there's no reason to make bigoted comments; Thankfully, my views of what constitutes \"bigoted\" are rooted in reality and not in a land of pixie dust and ponies who exist to fellate you and your tender morals.

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GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@The Black Bird: Well, if we define bigot as:

a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own

Then yes, I am a bigot. I think people who don't think support the rights of blind Americans and those with visual impairments and their guide animals, which is my opinion/view, are wrong.

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katia802
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_Isn'tFreshPerked: Wow, you're just troll bait today I guess stevedave! Maybe just cause it's monday and everyone is itching for an argument, amazing how little sense of humor people have lately.

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The Black Bird
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: One thing for sure, you really try to twist things around. Why are you ignoring the fact that you made an insensitive comment about someone being blind?

Also, why did you ignore a question I asked you in my last post? I said, in part, \"I see, you justify making a bigoted comment because you did something positive (assuming you really did). Does that mean if you contribute to the NAACP you feel you can use the \"N\" word?\"

Are you willing to answer the above?

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katstermonster
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@The Black Bird: You really need to learn to recognize REAL bigotry from satire, humor, and sarcasm. You're wasting everyone's time on an issue that doesn't even exist.

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The Black Bird
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@katstermonster: It's easy to say it was only a joke and there's really no way to prove it either way. Everyone doesn't look at things the same way.

As far as \"wasting everyone's time\" I find it interesting you feel you speak for everyone. Hell, even GitEmSteveDave didn't say I was wasting his time and he was the person I was talking about. Are you saying it's a waste of your time to read comments you don't agree with?

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subtlefrog
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@The Black Bird: I think Katstermonster speaks for a good many of us here because SteveDave is a pretty well-known, well liked commenter here. He's got a bit of a twisted sense of humor, but frankly, so do many of us, and if you're that offended, be prepared to be offended early and often. So Katster probably feels comfortable defending GESD because she knows many of us will back her - and GESD up.

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pecan 3.14159265
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@subtlefrog: Yeah, this is pretty much what I was thinking. There are a group of us (and take this for what you will) that are regulars, and because we know this, it's easier for all of us to defend one another in some manner - if there's some kind of \"attack\" that some of us think is unjustified, it's a lot easier for any of us to show examples that dispute the false accusation.


@RedwoodFlyer: Can Greg House join the cane-swingers lobby? They might like him when it comes time to play the parapalegics in bowling, since he makes cripple jokes all the time.


@MostlyHarmless: Technically, you can unheart them and reheart them.

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katstermonster
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@katstermonster: On second thought, it is REALLY fun to watch SteveDave and Trai_Dep run circles around your ignorance and short-sightedness. So...carry on!

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The Black Bird
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: We can also define bigot as;

\"a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance\"

or;

\"One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.\"

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bjdhtgjvbhdgd
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: This is simply unbelievable. You have a personal experience related to nearly every story posted on the consumerist. You're making this stuff up. I bet you just found out about Seeing Eye today by googling \"blind charity\".

Don't use politics to justify your own misanthropy.

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RedwoodFlyer
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Method of Steepest Descent: @GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee:

I don't say this often, but Pwned..fucking pwned. Now go lick some Braile.

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Trai_Dep
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: Wow, I'd think that if those others HAVEN'T raised at least THREE seeing eye dogs (or ONE seeing eye cat), they owe us an abject apology.

PS: I laughed.

Q: Why doesn't Helen Keller live in New Jersey?
A: She's can't see, not can't smell.

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The Black Bird
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: I find nothing funny in your bigotry against the blind. Maybe you need to take a course in compassion.

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kc2gvx
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: Haha I laughed, glad to see someone doesn't let political correctness stand in the way of a good laugh! :)

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rpm773
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Bullshit PR statement and $25 fee notwithstanding, I'm going to sheepishly admit that I think I like the look of them - at least in the picture.

Of course, I can't be sure until I see how good it looks on a coffee-colored Buick.

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4 replies
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Cant_stop_the_rock
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@rpm773:

I like the retro look. I never much cared for the current NY plates - they're kind of boring. I really liked the old statue of liberty plates, but I guess people in upstate New York probably don't like living in NYC's shadow.

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Optimistic Prime
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@rpm773: We seem to be the minority. I like them as well, it's a classic look. Forcing everyone to get them this year is BS, but they're nice.

I'm not from NY, but don't they have the special plates every other state has? I can choose from like 20 designs in Ohio.

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TouchMyMonkey
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@rpm773: A coffee-colored 1972 Buick with vinyl roof, curb feelers, and enough lead-laden smoke coming from the exhaust to choke a whole playground full of schoolchildren. Oh, and you need to be wearing a plaid polyester suit and a fedora when you're driving it.

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Karita
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@HurtsSoGood: Hah. I, too, thought they looked very old-school. Cool if you have a classic muscle car. Not so cool if you have anything else.

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coren
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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...how does a new license plate make the roads safer?

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5 replies
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H3ion
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@coren: It will increase the distance between cars as motorists slow down so they don't have to see the new plates.

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Radi0logy
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@coren: because now all the \"undesirables\" that can't afford new plates will be forced to walk, thereby allowing the rich white folk to drive on the roads in peace.

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Optimistic Prime
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@coren: It's easier to read than the previous clusterf*** of a design. Too much going on for something that should serve a utilitarian purpose.

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Karita
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Optimistic Prime: I don't actually like the plates, but the new ones will also help distinguish NY cars from all the other states in the Northeast. Good for crime solving purposes, I suppose. These days, so many plates look the same that I have to get up close to see where they are from.

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usa_gatekeeper
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Karita: I agree RE distinguishing NY cars more easily ... it'll help the Massachusetts State Police lock onto out out-of-state (NY) cars heading to and from the Cape.

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Dondegroovily
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Optimistic Prime: Also, old plates are difficult to read - dirt, mud, and the reflective stuff wears off over the years, all this making things harder for police.

Of course, in the State of Washington, they required you to get a new plate of the same design as the old one - They don't change a good design cause some of them are old.

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gStein_*|bringing starpipe back|*
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Dondegroovily: North Carolina started rolling out new plates about 2 years ago - the plan was (and still is) to replace any plates issued before a certain year (somewhere around 1995 or 2000, iirc). they also changed the lettering from blue to red, supposedly to \"increase visibility\". about a year after they started issuing the so-called \"red plates\" (which are the same design as the old ones, just a different color lettering) they decided to go back to the old style of blue letters on pressed plates (for a short period, either at the end of the \"blue\" run or the beginnoing of the \"red\" run, they were issuing flat plates that didn't have raised lettering - not sure if it was printed that way, or just something as basic as vinyl lettering under a clearcoat)

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gStein_*|bringing starpipe back|*
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@gStein_has joined the star bandwagon: Oh, and another thing (the photo just reminded me of) - North Carolina recalled 10,000 plates recently, after they discovered that \"WTF\" had a vulgar meaning.

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Paladin_11
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Dondegroovily: Washington is also not forcing the update RIGHT NOW. The new 7 digit plates are being phased in on the regular 7 year replacement cycle. So if you got a new 6 digit plate this year you won't have to replace it until 2016.

I've never heard the fine folks in Eastern Washington complain about having Mt. Rainier on the plate either. I like to think it's because it is a great design. Or maybe they've all opted for one of the 120 special plate options.

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MsCongeniality
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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\"Bold new gold hue?\" Sorry, but those look remarkably like the orange and blue plates we had on our car thirty years ago. Except, you know, with a little silhouette of the state in the middle and a banner across the top.

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Trai_Dep
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@MsCongeniality: I'm holding out for the commemorative Son of Sam ones (a revolver and a splatter, over a silhouette of a Labrador), or perhaps a limited edition of The Great NYC Blackout (black letters on a black background, of course).

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nybiker
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Trai_Dep: Which blackout? The one in 1965, '77, or 2003?

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zzxx
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Trai_Dep: Was the Son-Of-Sam Plate 702-XLO? 69 Ford Fairlane? I gotta look that up.

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varro
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Trai_Dep: New York Subway Graffiti - numbers and letters in a graffiti-esque font, or \"Burning Bronx\" with fire imagery.

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Trai_Dep
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@varro: Times Square Classic, with prostitute silhouettes framed by junkie needles with a teeth-gnashing Rudi Guilianni starting at the plate from the side?
King Kong, one that I'd move to NYC to buy, with the Empire State Building, along with the Great Ape himself, on opposite sides of the frame, with the numbers & letters made from shrieking Fay Wray figures?

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nybiker
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Trai_Dep: I like the King Kong idea. And I don't even have to move here. Of course, I still need a car to put it on, though.

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MostlyHarmless
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Paladin_11: Times are so bad, I've heard even HE had to come back from the dead and work.

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Paladin_11
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@MostlyHarmless: I'm fine with that, as long as he pays his back taxes. And if he's not playing a gig on Earth anytime soon.

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Laura Northrup
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@MsCongeniality: If they're going to go retro, bring back the Liberty plates. I loved those.

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lockdog
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@MsCongeniality: When I first saw the photo I actually thought it was one of the old gold and blue plates I remember as a kid (early 80s). Bringing back plain old easy to read plates without all of the special designs and causes wouldn't bother me at all, but that arched banner across the top is awful.

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subtlefrog
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@MsCongeniality: That's exactly what I thought - it's kind of a retro plate. When I was young, all the states had hideous plates with contrasting colors. It was only really in the last 10 years that you started to see all the states move over to mildly more pleasing plates.

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xl22k
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Gov. Patterson says this is a great idea... isn't he blind??

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AnxiousDemographic
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@xl22k: The LOL lasted a second, but feeling bad about laughing will last all day.

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xl22k
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I used to say the worst thing you could do to a car was put Vermont license plates on it... I'm not so sure anymore...

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4 replies
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H3ion
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@xl22k: I like the new New Hampshire tags which feature the state symbol, a pile of rocks. Live Free And Die.

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h3llc4t, breaker of office dress codes
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@xl22k: The green and white ones? They seemed fairly innocuous to me.

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rte148
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@xl22k: the worst thing you could do to a car is put a Connecticut driver behind the wheel.

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bkdlays
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Perhaps put a link that you can access without registering?

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2 replies
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nybiker
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@nybiker: Sorry, this is the press release: [www.nysdmv.com] What I supplied before is the FAQ for the new plates.

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A_smilodon
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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These plates make me nostalgic. when I was growing up back in the 70s the plates looked like this. Of course nostalgia is a tried and true marketing technique that works well on both Baby Boomers and GenXers. But this isn't really a product so much as a tax or fee so I'm not sure that applies. The real problem is that NY state is in deep financial trouble and can't cut the budget fast enough to keep up with declining revenue.

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metsarethe...
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I thik Patterson has started to back away from this shakedown

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2 replies
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TVarmy
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@metsarethe...: No offense meant, but it just wasn't a good idea to have a blind man choose the colors of the plates.

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flugennock
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@metsarethe...: Uh oh... I hope he has an aide or somebody to let him know where the back of the speaker's platform is... oops, too late.

(Hey, c'mon; SNL's done it, why can't I?)

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morganlh85
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Wow...those are hideous. Did they consult a designer when choosing those fugly colors? I thought the current NY plates were rather nice looking!

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1964F100
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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The plain, boring, generic California license plates don't look so bad now, compared to the new NY design. Ewww...

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madanthony
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Gee, I never thought I'd admire my former homeslice of NJ, but when they change plate designs, they aren't mandatory.

You still see cars occasionally with the '70's beige and black plates or the 80's light blue and tan ones. And I drove around for years with the short-lived 7-digit plates, that they dropped because evidently cops couldn't remember 7 digits when calling in a plate.

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Karita
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@madanthony: I'm jealous! I still miss CT's old dark blue and white plates. I thought they looked a lot better than what we have now, but we aren't allowed to keep using them even if we have the same number.

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varro
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Karita: Ah yes, the old dark blue and white, as shown in many an old Consumer Reports when they did car testing...

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Danj3ris
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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They remind me of Pennsylvania's blue and yellow plates. But only a little bit.

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TCama
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Recall that driving, car ownership and related actions are all privileges, not rights.

The state has no obligation to make it easy for you to drive.

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2 replies
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morlo
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@TCama: Freedom of movement is a basic human right. The state can amuse itself with as many regulations as it can think of, but eventually people will just drive without licenses and steal/make plates. Cops can pull them over at their own risk.

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TCama
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@morlo: Freedom of movement is a basic human right.

Sure, I can agree with that. But there are infinitely more ways to move than driving. Walking, taking a bus, taking a subway, taking a train, riding in a car someone else is driving, riding a bike, riding a Segway, flying in an airplane ... I could go on.

Movement may be a right, but driving is far from the only way to move.

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azntg
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@TCama: Now that's a typical city mentality when I see one.

Listen, I'm a lifelong New York City resident. But the fact of the matter is:

1) New York State has its fair share of suburban and rural areas.

2) Everybody doesn't live in a location with well developed and maintained roads with a sidewalk (or at least a wide shoulder good for safe walking), reliable public transportation (if at all) and essential locations within close distances.

3) Not everybody is healthy, but everybody does have a mind of their own.

Your \"infinitely more ways to move than driving\" is more wishful thinking than anything else. (More of the same line that the government seems to think moreso lately than ever before.)

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suburbancowboy
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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They look much like the old license plates, before NY switched to blue and white with a red statue of liberty, and then to Blue and White. I like them, because they remind me of when I was a kid. Most antique cars in NY still have the blue and gold. (Before the 70's they were blue with gold lettering, and then they reversed it). However, I don't like the fact that they are forcing everyone to get them.

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hagirl
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I live in Virginia, the state with the most plate variety (more than 200!), and to my knowledge we never have to get new plates unless the old plate is so beat up you can no longer read it. If you get a new car you can just transfer the old plates over to it. This sounds like a ridiculous waste to me...

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madanthony
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@hagirl:

I was in Indiana last year for work and it seemed like everyone had a different plate, but it looks like they have \"only\" 75.

Maryland, on the other hand, has 3 (plain white, save the bay, and agriculture), not counting affiliate/org plates, which are just the plain white plate with different letters and maybe a logo.

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catastrophegirl chooses not to fly
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@hagirl: NC is close behind you with 195 types. although some of those are government plates, but i personally consider even the 'government plate' styles of 'retired judge' and 'retired sherrif' to be vanity plates in a way.
i was just checking the website while reading this article and we have the following numbers of plate designs in these categories:

civic clubs 12
collegiate 29
government 20
military 31
stock car racing 23
special interests 56
standard issue 24

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hkellogg
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I thought Nj had the worst DMV but obviously NY state does, my plates never expire in nj and I still have the old blue and white ones on one of my vehicles they didn't force the hand to give up your old plates, also I don't have to pay for my plates they never expire you get them when you register the car the first time in nj and thats it although we do pay a yearly registration fee..

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smrtypants44
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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This ye ar in Oklahoma they mandated getting new plates but the only fee for them was to keep your current plate number.

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SgtMajorFragg
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Once upon a time Florida had these beautiful plates - white with orange numbers. Some knucklehead decided to change them to an off-green color. Epic fail as far as Florida voters were concerned. Now Florida has over 100 types of plates.

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Dondegroovily
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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A hallmark of bad design for anything representing a state: The outline of the state's boundaries. It means they couldn't think of anything else - pathetic.

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nybiker
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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When you read the FAQ [www.nysdmv.com] I found one piece of good news for those of us who have vanity plates: \"If you have a personalized plate you will automatically be reissued the same number on your new plate. Because you currently pay an annual personalized plate fee, you will not be required to pay the $20.00 fee.\" The $20 is if you want to keep your current plate value.

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ohiomensch
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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They kind of look like the plates ohio issues to DUI offenders.

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katstermonster
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Trai_Dep: LOL.

@Method of Steepest Descent: I assure you, SteveDave is not \"making this stuff up.\" And if you didn't recognize his first comment as blatant sarcasm and satire, your sense of humor needs a solid reboot.

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AngryK9
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Well, the taxpayers have to subsidize those lavish vacations and extravagant homes for the state's political figures somehow.

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Cameraman
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong.


In a free society, the State does not grant privileges. In a free society, the State has certain, limited, powers, and everything else is permitted. You're confusing a free society with a an oligarchy. Don't feel bad, most of our current politicians make the same mistake.

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TCama
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Cameraman: If that's your definition of a free society, then this country is most definitely not a free society.

State governments build, own and maintain roads, so they have the ultimate say over what happens on them, down to the registration and licensing of the vehicles that operate upon them. If you want to buy thousands of miles of right-of-way and construct your own roads on it, you would have ultimate say over what happens on them.

But while you're doing that, I challenge you to find U.S. legislation guaranteeing a right to drive.

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ecwis
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@TCama: Pursuit of happiness? Driving makes me happy.

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flugennock
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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D'ahh, c'mon. What's wrong with that plate? It kind of reminds me of what license plates were when I was a kid, back in the '60s -- plain, legible, simple, efficient, not like the plates these days, which attempt to be masterpieces of great art, or something, and let everybody scream out their favorite officially-approved cause, or some shit.

I like that plate, because it's a plain, legible, simple, efficient, back-to-basics plate that isn't some modern, trendy, overdesigned, multi-colored, eyeball-jangling plate.

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flugennock
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Luckily, I live in Washington, DC, where the plates are still plain and simple: a little DC flag in the center between the two parts of the plate number, along with your choice of \"Visit And Discover\" or \"Taxation Without Representation\" inscribed on the bottom -- even though I would've preferred my plates with the slogan \"Lots Of Lawyers\".

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JulesNoctambule
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@flugennock: They have options for DC plates? I've only ever seen the 'Taxation' ones that I can recall -- guess that says something!

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JonBoy470
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I remember Massachusetts doesn't make you get new plates either. Massachusetts started issuing front and rear plates with a new design in the late 80's, but you still see people driving around with the old (and by now very weathered) single green plates. They're actually quite coveted these days because with the old plate, no front plate is legally required.

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GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Method of Steepest Descent: Well, I introduce you to Walden.

Last I heard, he was helping someone make their life easier in PA.
And in case you think that is me with some random puppy, here is a \"thank you\" gift from the Seeing Eye, which my cat decided to appropriate:

AND, to top it all off, here is my Ex and the blind guy she dumped me for, and HIS Seeing Eye Dog:

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H3ion
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: It would have made a better picture if you Photoshopped a mustache onto the dog.

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Trai_Dep
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: You're a better man than I.
If *I* gave an Assisted Living animal to someone who stole my Ex, I'd embed secret commands, like \"stop\" now means \"hurtle towards the oncoming train\" or \"Who's a good boy?\" now means \"chew my face off\".
Then again, my probation officer and I had a loooong discussion about such \"innovations\", so I probably wouldn't. Even if it weren't for that pesky restraining order. And lawsuit. And mandatory signs I have to post on my front porch.

(Both are sweet people, by the way: great photo!)

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katstermonster
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: I always forget that we don't need to defend you...you're much better at doing it yourself. Heh.

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Trai_Dep
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@katstermonster: OMG, the carnage! It's like watching a confused snowman picking a fight with a blow torch. Who keeps coming back to slaughter over and over again!

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MostlyHarmless
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@katstermonster: Except for his GF, who apparently could bash him up good...

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katstermonster
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: P.S. Walden is so cute, I could eat him right up. I need a dog...

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montusama
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Just have to love the NYSDOT. They really must love the Buffalo Sabres.

p.s. my hometown team

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That's Consumer007 to you
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I know this will sound insensitive to some, but in a tough economy where there are literally honest hardworking people on the streets, I think they should get the hundred jobs, even if at the same rate, rather than inmates. If it helps them eat and survive, frankly, that is better, the inmates should be made to do work for nothing, and the work they do should not take away jobs from people who need to pay the bills just because some bureaucrat wants to \"cheat\" and get something for nothing.

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GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Trai_Dep: Walden didn't got to the new guy. He already had a dog.

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Trai_Dep
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: On a more serious note, how many hours does it take to train a seeing eye dog? And how do you learn how to do it? It is obviously glorious work that you're doing, but OMG, I can't even begin to fathom the level of effort it takes.
And, it must really ache to give your canine graduate away (sort of).

Deep, DEEP respect, SteveDave. Hat's off!

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Eyebrows McGee (now with more baby!)
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Trai_Dep: They say it helps if you think of it as sending the dog off to \"college\" when it goes to the Seeing Eye for the final training and then graduates into the real world.

We would like to do it, but I am desperately allergic to dogs so it's a no-go for now. I may do the shots later on.

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vorpal_hamster
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I thought Oregon had a lot of plate designs to choose from...You still see the occasional \"Pacific Wonderland\" plate from waaaay back because we don't have to unilaterally replace ours when a new design comes out.


However, the dingbat in the head office had a GRRRRR-eat!!!!! idea of how to raise more money off license plates...first, double the fee; second, halve the renewal period; three, require the same license plates for bicycles. Now, many people were upset about the idea of paying $120 every year to license a car, but the idea of paying that for a bicycle? Insanity.

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squishyalt
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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There's a reason for this horrific \"bold new gold hue and a highly reflective surface\" and it too involves the generation of income for the state.

It's so the cops can see that your vehicle does not have one from very far away and fine you appropriately - making even more money for big brother.

Ingenious, don't you think?

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bananaballs
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Well, clearly Paterson is an Orangemen fan.

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GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Trai_Dep: We don't \"train\" them for the actual guiding. We keep them for ~18 months and get them used to being out in the world and around people, etc... We also re-inforce the base commands and note any behaviors which may wash them out. They then go back to The Seeing Eye, are tested medically, and only after they pass all that do they get their real training, which culminates in a \"Town Walk\".

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Jrsy Devil's Advocate®
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@The Black Bird: So he's a bigot for using the term 'cane-swinger' but it's ok for Trai-Dep to post Helen Keller joke or joke about teaching bad commands to a seeing eye dog? You didn't say anything to him. And your argument about comparing what he said to the 'N' word. What planet are you even on? There is no way 'cane-swinger' has anywhere near the racist negativity associated with it that the 'N' word does. No one is getting beat-up or shot over 'cane-swinger'. You're an idiot. The man is entitled to his own opinion, whether you agree with it or not.

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The Black Bird
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Jrsy Devil's Advocate®: I wasn't comparing \"cane-swinger\" with the \"N\" word. I was questioning him about it.

Are you saying he is entitled to his opinion but I'm not? As far as your idiot comment I'll consider the source who said it.

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RedwoodFlyer
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@The Black Bird:

Yes, because his opinion doesn't push for FCC fines and legislation over what others can't say or do.

If the cane-swingers' lobby is going to force everyone with a quiet car to have a speaker that goes makes engine noises (not kidding), then I have every right to make jokes about blind people thinking some fry cook's acne is the prologue to \"War and Peace\"

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GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@RedwoodFlyer: Yeah, the Seeing Eye had to buy a hybrid to help train the dogs to be able to travel the streets carefully because of the spreading plague of them.

@The Black Bird: Over it? No. Bitter? Possibly.

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Trai_Dep
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Jrsy Devil's Advocate®: For the record, I have a number of differently-abled friends and their humor is even more sardonic and black than my own. From them, I learned that handling these issues in a condescending fashion - the Precious Snowflake approach - really grates their goat. :)

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subtlefrog
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Trai_Dep: Did you just say black humor? Is that allowed?

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Jrsy Devil's Advocate®
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@Trai_Dep: I don't have any problems with your sense of humor or comments. I was merely pointing out that your multiple comments got a pass with The Black Bird but SteveDave's one comment got him/her all rilled up.

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Cactus_Wren
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Man, not only is that so ugly it's art, but it defies the rule of tincture. Blue on tenne is color on color, not color on metal.

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nerble
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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It's so weird that people are fleeing New York like rats from a sinking ship. I'm sure this will stop the tide of people leaving the state because of ridiculous financial rape from the government. Wait...

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H3ion
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Maryland did it the easy way. You used to get new plates each year. Now you get a little sticker that goes on the plates you already have. Don't ask how much the fee decreased.

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RandomHookup
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Be careful with car tag issues, politicians. The last election Bill Clinton lost was because his opponent pushed two sensitive issues: Car Tags and Cubans.


The Cubans issue had to do with the Cuban Boatlift refugees coming to Ft. Chaffee. Clinton had also raised the license fee to fund highway construction.

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GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@The Black Bird: So my taking in and helping to train a service animal, with no compensation other than vet bills, and at the cost of a chewed up bedroom set, is me treating them with hatred and intolerant? OK.

As for your N-word comment, no, I did not address it because it had no bearing on my statement. If you note, I never made a remark about blind people. I merely said that Gov. Paterson had something against NON-cane swingers. I never said he was one. It's as if I said he has something against Non-Mint Julep drinkers. Does that mean he drinks Mint Juleps? No.

@Trai_Dep: Shhhhh. Stop picking on someone trying to defend me! I need all the help I can get! ;)

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KMan13 still wants a Pontiac G8
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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oh great, so i'm going to have a felon's fingerprints on my license plate. lovely.

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katstermonster
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@rte148: Hey! I resemble that remark. Come now, Massachusetts drivers are CLEARLY worse.

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msquier
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Alabama is doing this too except they are GIVING you the new tag when you renew. You don't even have to turn in the old tag!

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The Black Bird
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: I'll address your comment but first let me say this;

First, while I believe your comment is bigoted that doesn't make me think you are a bigoted person. Many of us, at one time or another, have said things which we wish we hadn't said because of various reasons.

Next, if you are really involved with training dogs for the blind, (I don't have any reason not to believe you), I applaud what you are doing.

While I have done things over the years to help people less fortunate, I have never done what you are doing. In fact I would have a problem in \"letting go\" of the dog because of how attached I would get to it. I had that very problem with a stray I took in last winter. I knew I couldn't keep him indefinitely when I found him but I couldn't let him freeze or starve to death and I wasn't going to take him to the pound and have him put down.

I took him to the vet and made sure he was ok. I was able to find a good home for him about a month later and it was difficult to give him up.

Finally, I am truly sorry about you losing your Ex. I would imagine it had (has) to hurt like hell. If you haven't yet done so, I hope you get over it soon.

Now back to \"the comment\".

You said;

\"It's as if I said he has something against Non-Mint Julep drinkers. Does that mean he drinks Mint Juleps?\"

The difference is that you know he is blind. If he weren't, I doubt you would have made your comment. I just don't think it's right to make light of an individuals disability.

As far as I'm concerned it's behind us. If you want to comment I'll be happy to read it.

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Trai_Dep
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@The Black Bird: You see, a normal thinking person, after typing \"While I have done things over the years to help people less fortunate, I have never done what you are doing. In fact...\" would have gone in a different direction that you have.

Ponder that and get back to class afterwards, OK?

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RedwoodFlyer
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@The Black Bird: Your little sap story has no bearing here, since no one accused you of making jokes about stray-dog owners. Stop throwing a pity party, because no one's going to attend.

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MostlyHarmless
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@RedwoodFlyer: For this unanimously epic performance in this thread. I heart you. I have not laughed so hard at the comments on this board this week. You sir, totally made my Sunday.

Katstermonster, GESD, Trai_Dep, Subtlefrog, Jrsy Devil: You all put in an awesome performance too. Too bad I can only heart you guys once.

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subtlefrog
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@katstermonster: You're welcome to take Daisydog for random visits - just keep her away from anything grain-based.

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RedwoodFlyer
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@The Black Bird: Why? It's not like they're going to see this..

How do you punish Helen Keller? Leave the plunger in the toilet..

Why can't Helen Keller drive? Because she's a girl.. etc etc.

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subtlefrog
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@RedwoodFlyer: I'm not sure - but I think the plunger thing wouldn't necessarily be a punishment. And I don't mean because she's blind.

Just sayin'.

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Joedel263
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Move to Connecticut, they offer a \"Preserve the Sound\" plate with a pretty lighthouse on it representing Long Island Sound. Up until last year the extra $40 you paid for one of these was donated to preserve the Sound. This year, the plates are still $40 more and they keep it..

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katstermonster
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@The Black Bird: I know for sure it was a joke, and I also know that while SteveDave enjoys messing with your ignorant little head (and oh god, it's funny for the rest of us), I'm sure he'd rather not have to educate you at all. I feel comfortable saying all of this because I watch SteveDave in his home while he sleeps. (Take that home and chew on it.) I know his personality well enough to say that yes, his first comment was fully a joke, designed to catch suckers like you. I'm sure you've realized this by now, so let's just all have a good laugh about it and move on, shall we?

@RedwoodFlyer: I don't even care what this says about me, but I laughed about your comment to the point of tears. Bonus points for the use of the word \"fellate.\"

@subtlefrog: I read this again, got it, and laughed even more. Oh god. Nice one.

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katstermonster
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@MostlyHarmless: This has made my week. I'm bookmarking this thread for later reading. Bravo, everyone. It's been a pleasure working with you.

@RedwoodFlyer: You just got a well-deserved heart. Where have you been all my life?

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humphrmi
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Wow, I feel much better about Illinois. They've replaced our license plates a few times, at least we don't have to pay for new plates.

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subtlefrog
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@RedwoodFlyer: I concur with the others. You have been hearted by the lot of us.

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Dukebruno
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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This is New York State looking for a new source of revenue, plain and simple. Our company collects New York State Sales Tax. We've been registered with NYS for 10+ years. Recently I received a notice that we must re-register to \"update the database\" and get a new certificate. Easy enough except 1) There is a mandatory $ 50 fee to re-register and 2) There is no indication of any expiration date on the certificate. So, theoretically, 6 months from now NYS could repeat the process again. Re-register, pay $ 50. See you in 6 months for a cleaning.

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Kimaroo - 100% Pure Natural Kitteh
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee: Dang.. I miss all the fun because I was out today.. Bah. You handled it well anyway.

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GitEmSteveDave_HurtHisKnee
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@subtlefrog: Ditto. Hearted RedwoodFlyer myself.

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quail
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I just got plates a year ago after moving to NY. Are you guys serious? People never had to change their plates before this? Just about every state that I know of requires plates to be changed out every 'x' number of years, usually 7. In TX it was just part of the deal with registration. If you owned the car for 7 years, when you went to register they just handed over new plates to you.

Agree the color is horrendous. Probably an attempt to up the vanity plate sales.

And I agree too that there's hordes of other ridiculous things to be more upset about with the state of NY. Did you know a liquor store, the only place to buy wine up here, can't sell you a wine bag to make it a gift? A bunch of liquor stores got fined heavily at the beginning of the year because(gasp!)the sold wine gift bags.

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humphrmi
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@quail:

If you owned the car for 7 years, when you went to register they just handed over new plates to you.

Read the article. They're not just \"handing over new plates\", they're charging everyone (including you) $25 for the new plates.

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friday3
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Why get upset about the \"look\" of a plate. I swear people have too much tim eon their hands to b*tch about non-issues. It is a utilitarian item that I could not care less about. If it was pink with purple strips and polka dots if it serves the purpose why get your panties in a bunch.

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zzxx
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I am a NYer. Registering a car here is cheap. As I recall there was a set of plates that looked like this that were issued starting 1972 and lasted until 1986. In 86 we got the Liberty plates which made it until 2001. In both cases you could potentially have 14 year old plates on a car. Why the change so soon? NY now has XXX-#### plates where XXX is a 3 letter combination that started out with AAA and #### is four numbers that start at 1000. In many circles having a plate that begins with an A is a prestige item, sort of like a black California plate or a green and white Massachusetts plate. I remember that having three letters and three numbers on a Liberty plate held that honor. Many people care about that.

Same like phone exchanges in my town 986 means you have been here for a while, 981 means you are a Johnny-come-lately.

California, which is in crap financial straits did not change all plates since 1963. New Jersey since 1965? Massachusetts since 1982? I know I see plenty of NJ blue plates around and if you look on some old cars you can see the old style black and straw NJ plates. I still see some Mass green and white plates. I see an occasional black California plate. How about North Carolina, no plate change since 1984? They did what NY did XXX-####. Seeing an A or B NC plate is a rarity.

Sorry I am a license plate nut.

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Smorgasbord
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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If they are going to create 100 new jobs in the prison, does this mean they will need 100 more prisoners to keep up with demand. I guess this can't be called FREE enterprise, since the prisoners aren't free.

If the governor is \"creating\" jobs, maybe he will qualify for more stimulus money.

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LastError
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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This is bogus. In my state, they opted to KEEP the license plate for a double cycle (8 or 9 years) because it would have cost too much to make new ones even though we do have a $20 tag fee that we have to pay each year.

And yes, we use prison labor to actually make the things. It was still cheaper to just keep the old plates and just take the $20 a year.

That said, we do have like 100 different optional plates for schools or various causes like support the flowers, support \"choice\", support animal spaying, or hunting, or animal shelters (pick), you name it, we got a plate for it, and nearly all of them cost plenty extra and people pay it. The State makes a ton off that stuff. Maybe that money offsets some of the costs.

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katstermonster
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@pecan 3.14159265: Also, some of us had reason to be very sure he was joking. Just sayin'. :) I'd call him on his jokes if I thought it truly crossed a line, as would many of us.

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MostlyHarmless
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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@katstermonster: Yes, we know you watch him while he sleeps. No need to act any more creepy about it than it already is.

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nstonep
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Actually...those plates are badass...perhaps badassmotron.

I wish more states had the balls to issue non white plates standard issue. I can get a blue with white lettering but I'd need to pay more for it. :(

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JomTones
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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Heh. Just wait until the gov't charges a \"fee\" to print and mail your health insurance card. Heck, where I live they already charge a $5 \"fee\" for the sticker to show you paid your annual car tax. Yes, you pay your taxes and then you have to buy a $5 sticker to prove you paid your taxes. $5! I don't even think stickers cost that much at Disney World.

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LeChiffre
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I like the looks of this new plate. Looks retro,,,1930s.

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nuch
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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I like them... they're Sabres colors! Let's go Buff-a-lo! Wooo.

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bumpducks
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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yet another reason to move out of NY.

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Lucky225
November 18, 2009 4:52 PM
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show me the law I say, if the code hasn't been amended and this is some scheme by the DMV, tell them to piss off on principal.

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Pandrogas
November 18, 2009 4:53 PM
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These new plates look remarkably similar to some older plates I saw in my grandparents garage... From like 30-40 years ago.

Also, policies like this are a big reason I left NY. Too many taxes and a government that can't manage it's budget for crap.

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xskeptictankx
November 18, 2009 4:53 PM
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Didn't Michigan just do this? I really dislike the new plates, although I'm not sure they made us pay extra...

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