DMV Should Review Its Call in Vanity Plate Case

Re “Ex-Fullback Flagged for Vanity Plates,” Jan. 4: I read in utter amazement that the Department of Motor Vehicles demanded the recall of a vanity plate because a Native American activist, Eugene Herrod, complained after surfing the DMV Web site looking for “offensive” plates. When I read the plate, 1REDSKN, my immediate thought was of the football team, not a racial slur.

What’s next? Does the DMV impound my Jeep Grand Cherokee? How about the Mazda Navajos or Chevrolet Cheyennes? Maybe Herrod can write the president and have the Apache, Blackhawk and Comanche helicopters grounded and the Tomahawk missiles dismantled.

Ken Ramsey

Cypress

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The offense in this “vanity license plate” case is in the thin-skinned vanity of activist and complainer Eugene Herrod and the DMV. Apparently Herrod has nothing better to do than surf the Internet in search of a problem that isn’t a problem. The DMV would better serve its customers by managing their long lines.

What would happen if members of the Audubon Society suddenly took offense and whined about the use of Cardinals, Eagles, Ravens, Falcons and Seahawks? And what about the “Chiefs”?

Bob Ball

Anaheim

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I can identify with Dale Atkeson’s dilemma. In the 1980s, I requested to use “HAYBROD” on my plates. I chose it in honor of my grandchildren, Hayley and Broderick. The DMV guys said, in essence, “Sorry, it might be construed as Hey, Broad.” Go figure.

Myrna Dillon

Lake Forest