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Minister will get her REV JO plates

The Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 2:44 PM EDT 05/12/07

McGuinty admits Ontario government looks foolish denying reissue of vanity plates she has had for 19 years ...Read the full article

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  1. Keith Conley from Calgary, Canada writes: This is another dithering session with the Ontario Liberals, as if there are no other substantial issues to work on, they pick on a retired minister and thus the Premier wants to make himself now look good.

    I guess the Liberals have nothing better to do for major policies. This fiasco was and is a no brainer, and certainly shows that the Ontario Liberals have a long way to go to establish real policies.

    The Ontario voters do need to look and see the kind of Government they have elected. McQuinty should have known this was a no brainer from the onset , as they certainly have wasted a lot of valuable time on such a trivial thing, which could have been solved long ago, by the Ontatio License office.

    This is a classic case of incompentency on the MOT and Minister Bradley.

    Joyce Conley
  2. Logo Pogo from United States writes: “Every once in a while governments do things that bring themselves into disrepute; we can also do things that make ourselves outright laughable, (and) this is one of those instances,&8221; Mr. McGuinty said prior to a Liberal cabinet meeting.

    That reasoning should be applied to bill 203. Thanks for taking away our charter rights and making Ontario a police state you twit. It's nice to see that you step in on this 'important' issue but don't care about your citizens basic freedoms.
  3. Joe Technicality from Hamilton, Canada writes: 'We can do things that make ourselves outright laughable'.

    Couldn't agree with you more, Dalton. Did you take a good look at your most recent throne speech?
  4. Anthony B from Sydney, NS, Canada writes: Mr. Bradley defended the nine-member review panel that makes the decisions on vanity plates, insisting they have a tough job and that their work 'is a difficult science.'

    A 'difficult science?' What are the qualifications for these 'scientists?' Sounds more like a bunch of government 'friends' sitting around making arbitrary 'unscientific' decisions about what offends them personally.

    Suggestion: If their work is so 'difficult' why not scrap the whole stupid idea of vanity plates? .....oh, right. It's a money-maker for the government.

    And as for Reverend Jo, doesn't she have more important concerns than her personal vanity .....like saving souls?
  5. Alex Yaxmos from Canada writes: So we are angry Dalton step in to give a former minister her plates. Is it okay for him to bent down and tie his shoe laces? or will that be seen as a waste of time too?
  6. Wandering Willy from Victoria, Canada writes: Wonder if they will renew my WANDERINGWILLY plates this year.....hmmm
  7. Stude Ham from Outremont, Canada writes:

    How many knew there was something out there, slightly alcoholic, known by the brand name REV? And how many of us would really have made that connection seeing the plate in front of us?

    The whole issue was nonsense from the start and should have been recognized as such.

    However... an exception should have been taken to the vanity plate that read GUPELU....

    Translating GUPEL from the Yidish language into English it really meant ''FORK''U. not funny when read from behind.
  8. James Young from Brantford, Canada writes: Stupid. Stupid. Stupid Stupid.

    Everyone involved is STUPID.
    Ban the GD plates if it is so much a problem. If the income is worth the effort fine.

    Plates are designed to identify a vehicle. How this nonsense got started is beyond me.

    Hard decision? Really a child could do it effortlessly.

    Stupid. Stupid. Stupid Stupid.

    Durgan.
  9. Dan Van Gageldonk from Toronto, Canada writes: Mr. Bradley defended the nine-member review panel that makes the decisions on vanity plates, insisting they have a tough job and that their work 'is a difficult science.'

    So Bradley is defending these people who according to Dalton made a laughable decision. How about fire these people and actually make them accountable for thier bad decisions. Also aside from the fact of protecting these union people why the hell do you need nine people to make a decision. Another sign of what happens when gov'ts run things. Too many peolple doing a job with no accountability.
  10. Robert Boyd from Windsor, Canada writes: Personally I'm relieved to find out that the Ministry of Transportation does something other than farm out licence plate stickers.
    I thought it was just another worthless collection of government drones.
  11. john chuckman from Canada writes: Rev Jo needs to get a life.

    The officials were only trying to do a job conscientiously. You do have to have perioodic review of vanity plates because there are so many abusive expressions and they change over time.

    Does the Rev not have a flock to look after? Others she might help?
    Why does she create all this trouble over personal trivia? Absolutely ridiculous.

    As for Dalton the Magnificent, our Wizard of Queen's Park, this silliness almost symbolizes his idea of governing.

    It fits right in with his naming the new holiday bestowed upon us, 'Family Day,' sounding exactly like something from the Republican Religious Right.

    Yuch.
  12. Shallows Of Game. from writes: Vanity and religion sometimes come up for air.
  13. Richard F from Victoria, Canada writes: Pretty sad...

    So it takes a 'panel' of government appointed hack$ to mull the social value and morality of Rev Jo's license plate only to come up with the 'alcoholic beverage' angle? Oooh gotta keep that prohibition 'booze is sin' spin going...

    No wonder half the world laughs when they look at Ontario and in particular Toronto as dull and lifeless... a colourless society constantly micromanaged and controlled by the politicians, bureaucrats and lawyers...

    ... Ontario is a good place to go and die.
  14. Wayne Morrison from Toronto, Canada writes: The government sells vanity plates and puts together a committee to ensure nothing controversial ends up on the plates. An overzealous committee makes a stupid decision, based on flimsy grounds, to take away a set of plates that have been in circulation for 19 years. Publicly the Minister has to defend the committee, but in private he will tear a strip off them for being so anal. The Premier has to comment, because he's asked, and says the only thing that will move the issue off the table. The moment the reverend opened her mouth the bureaucrats were toast - and I'm willing to bet they knew it.
  15. Michael Sharp from Victoria BC, Canada writes:

    The REV bit I get.

    The REV JO being synonymous with going fast, I don't get.

    Gawd, I hate Nanny States.
    They're SO annoying.
  16. Alex Neave from Canada writes: Keith ole boy you dropped the ball, its the sedentary hangabouts that are the problem not the Liberals, they're there no matter what the colour of the hat the driver (premier) is wearing. What the real issue 'is' is why are we paying nine bumbling busybodies to determine what is acceptable on a license plate. I want a royal commission into this whole deal, who are these nine and what are their political or religious affiliation, do they represent the broader view of our modern multicultural society. Lets drop a few million tax payer dollars for an inquiry, rip down a few hundred more trees to fill those fancy boxes full of transcripts, that make those nice photo ops of the lawyers pretending to look important while milking the system. Yes great country we live in, The lunatics have definitely taken over the asylum.
  17. John L. Murlowe from Colony of Vancouver Island, Canada writes:
    Proof that there are possibly more doughheads per capita in government than amongst the people.

    However, one does wonder why a person who is revered, as in 'Reverend,' would call herself 'Rev Jo.' How about 'Rev Up' for a person who sells auto parts, or 'Rev Can' for the boys at the tax dept. Or 'Revlutn' for Beatles fans and Commies...
  18. C to the D from Canada writes: Why I NEVER vote Liberal. According to McGuinty, 'Every once in a while common sense is actually important, even in government'.

    Let's parse that for a minute. It would seem therefore, that according to the Liberals, that common sense is important in everyday life only ONCE IN A WHILE. It would also seem that, as removed from everyday life that common sense is, it should be even further removed from government. Which of course leaves you with the question, on what exactly are these latte-sippers basing their decisions if not common sense?

    Makes you shake your head.

    C.
  19. Jake Richardson from Kingston, Canada writes: C to the D from Canada writes:

    Let's parse that for a minute. It would seem therefore, that according to the Liberals, that common sense is important in everyday life only ONCE IN A WHILE. It would also seem that, as removed from everyday life that common sense is, it should be even further removed from government. Which of course leaves you with the question, on what exactly are these latte-sippers basing their decisions if not common sense?

    -----------

    It's called science and research. It means studying a problem and coming up with a good solution, instead of just making something up and saying that it's 'common sense'.
  20. Neiland Bob from Canada writes: 'But Suzanne Fitzgerald of Sarnia still won't be able to buy new plates for her father this Christmas that she wanted to read “BUTCHY39&8221; &8212; combining his nickname and year of birth. The plates were rejected on the grounds &8220;butch&8221; is a term sometimes used to describe lesbians.'

    In light of the above I want to get one of the polling plates:

    OMFG
    WTF
    LMFAO
    ROFLMFAO

    The 'F' is mandatory regardless of the selection.
  21. j wilson from Vancouver, Canada writes:
    A panel of nine to review plates?

    That might be the funniest part of this story!

    Funniest, except for Joyce Conley's partisan diatribe at the head of this thread. Is the theory that the NDP or PCs could have headed this off if only they were in charge? I seem to remember the NDP ruining the Ontario economy and the PCs ordering the forced (read, shoot to kill) evac of unarmed natives in Ipperwash. Oh, and ruining the economy and lying about it to get re-elected.

    Geez, strong-arming a minister over vanity plates seems pretty minor in comparison.
  22. Neiland Bob from Canada writes: Or perhaps I should get the plate:

    2PNK1STNK
  23. C to the D from Canada writes: john chuckman from Canada writes: Rev Jo needs to get a life. The officials were only trying to do a job conscientiously. You do have to have perioodic review of vanity plates because there are so many abusive expressions and they change over time. Does the Rev not have a flock to look after? Others she might help? Why does she create all this trouble over personal trivia? Absolutely ridiculous. Posted 05/12/07 at 1:32 PM EST ---------------------------- You're right, John. Far be it from a Reverend to actually have a life or a personality or a sense of humour. She should consider the poor faceless bureaucrats and the crucial life and death work that they're doing - evaluating other people's puns and decrypting their anagrams. You ask 'Why does she create all this trouble over personal trivia'. I am amazed by how co-opted you seem by the nanny-state. SHE didn't make this trouble - THEY did. She's been going about her business with this plate for 20 years and now THEY have decided (with zero plausible logic) to deny her this little sliver of self-expression. I would ask you, why is it you seem so timid and meek in the face of this bureaucratic lunacy that you would suggest that Rev Jo should put up with this? C.
  24. Lowen Wrainger from Canada writes: You mean they also rejected 'REV OKE' ?
  25. C to the D from Canada writes: Jake Richardson from Kingston, Canada writes: C to the D from Canada writes: Let's parse that for a minute. It would seem therefore, that according to the Liberals, that common sense is important in everyday life only ONCE IN A WHILE. It would also seem that, as removed from everyday life that common sense is, it should be even further removed from government. Which of course leaves you with the question, on what exactly are these latte-sippers basing their decisions if not common sense? ----------- It's called science and research. It means studying a problem and coming up with a good solution, instead of just making something up and saying that it's 'common sense'. ------------ Ahhhh, the Latte-Sipper speaks! Two things, Jakey (1) its a frgging license plate, not a moon launch. What research and science are these nine morons using to make their decisions? And (2) well, if the government has 'research and science' on its side, who are we to argue? I guess, given all the 'research and science' that this government has, that we should all just shut up and accept whatever it does or says. Do we really want to start into a historical account of what governments with 'reasearch and science' on their side have done through the ages? Not sure we'll be adding to the plusses in your argument, Jake. All hail the cult of 'reasearch and science'. C.
  26. Jack Donald from Toronto, Canada writes: This should not have been an issue in the first place. How much money has this panel wasted not only on this single appeal but on all the other appeals of personal license plates that the committee decides to reject.

    I hate to admit it but Dalton finally got something right.

    Why just complain here folks ... go to http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/feedback/lao.htm and complain to the under worked and overpaid bureaucrats who are wasting your money on this.
  27. Eric Hunter from Kingsville, Canada writes: john chuckman: Yes, because everyone should just roll over and play dead when the good old government says so. The idiots at the Ministry of Transportation were just trying to find ANY reason to deny her the plate the second time around. They didn't like the negative publicity and were going to do anything they could to deny it.

    You want to be a nice little sheep, go ahead.
  28. g h from Canada writes: 'Every once in a while common sense is actually important, even in government...'
    Not in my experience.
  29. Gord Lewis from sensible, Canada writes: The aggressive driver who cut me off bigtime on the 401 last week had no trouble getting his vanity plates . . . REVR UP.
  30. Wallace Fan from Canada writes: I don't know whether to laugh or cry - so, so petty - and it takes a committee of nine, sad, really sad.
  31. Duane Freemantle from writes: There are many issues facing the Government of Ontario. Some may seem trivial but, all must be addressed. This is a reason that we have a government, a body to govern Ontario. I am glad that some policies get reviewed from time to time.
  32. Bill M from Canada writes: Favourire rejection I heard was 3M TA3 which rankled a cop who saw it in his mirror.
  33. Nardo Sancue from Canada writes: A committee of nine? This is not only sad, it's absurd. Mr. McGuinty, you may not be able to legislate common sense, but you sure can make sure that it is exercised.
  34. edward prior from Montreal, Canada writes: Won't comment on the economics or other questions surrounding these plates, but I have to say, (as did a previous entry) that I find it far easier to remember something like Revr Up than and arbitrary jumble of letters and numbers. Once at the border, the agent asked me what my plate was. Couldn't tell him, except that it sounded like a radio station.
  35. Jake Richardson from Kingston, Canada writes: C to the D from Canada writes: Ahhhh, the Latte-Sipper speaks! Two things, Jakey (1) its a frgging license plate, not a moon launch. What research and science are these nine morons using to make their decisions? And (2) well, if the government has 'research and science' on its side, who are we to argue? I guess, given all the 'research and science' that this government has, that we should all just shut up and accept whatever it does or says. Do we really want to start into a historical account of what governments with 'reasearch and science' on their side have done through the ages? Not sure we'll be adding to the plusses in your argument, Jake. All hail the cult of 'reasearch and science'. C.
    --------
    Nope, no science and research for this, because like McGuinty says, sometimes common sense is good enough. This would be one of those cases. Oh, and I've never had a latte in my life.

    Feel free to start with your 'historical account'. It'll be good for a laugh.
  36. CD W from Canada writes: Well Reverend Jo is a retired United Church Minister, I dont see how her vanity plate could be considered to be promoting Christianity, the United Church doesnt believe in anything anymore, they have officially removed sin from the their bible. They have become a religious service club, and nothing more.
  37. A Chinaman from Canada writes: The whole of personalized licence plate is a joke and stupid. Whenever you see personalized plate contains numbers such as 9,8,3 (or combination), you know those cars belong to Chinese (mostly from Hong Kong). Why would you want to put your surname on the licence plate.
    Well, the government is just looking to generate revenue. Certainly the Ontario Government's action is laughable, and in fact the concept of personalized licence plate is laughable.
  38. John McMortimer-Boyles from An Undisclosed Underground Location Safe From Nuclear Attack, Canada writes: I'm glad someone gave their head a shake and gave the Reverend her license plates back.
  39. Home E. D'Clown from Canada writes: The best vanity plate I ever saw was on a car driven by a righteous hottie that said '3M TA3'. I saw it on the front of her car in the rear-view mirror.

    I'm sure the vanity plate review gig would be interesting but I'd rather work for the Ontario Film Review Board and decide what smutty DVD's are available to be hidden under matresses by this glorious province's pimply-faced teenage boys.
  40. Irving Schwartz from Vancouver, Canada writes: Instead of going to all the trouble and expense of creating a review board, why not simply accept that there is no right to remain unoffended in Canadian law, and just tell those who wish to whine about a licence plate that they will just have to get over it?

    Problem solved, free of charge.
  41. Paul, Bytown, from Canada writes: Nine people to review a license plate. Paid by the tax payer and supported by the union no less.

    Now I strongly think that their names be made public and investigated for nepotism because no private industry manager would come up with a number of nine people for this function and get away with it.
  42. Comments are Closed from Toronto, Canada writes: I'm far more worried about what's hiding behind the blacked out windows than the message on the license plates.
  43. Rob J from Canada writes: What a waste of money. The person in the office who thought about this for way too long should be fired.
  44. scott thomas from Canada writes: So glad to see that Dalton McGuinty is doing such meaningful and important work. That's a real feel good message. Hope there is a good photo op to go with it. Woowee, I'm impressed.
  45. bob london from Canada writes: Dalton McSquinty hired 1000 workers for the new Ministry of Personalized Licence plate. For 1 day a month they each get 99,000 per year instead of cricket money.

    Useful article regarding the lying mcguinty's http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2007/12/05/4708222-sun.html
  46. Broken Record from Victoria, B.C., Canada writes: Are we to REV then JO or do both at the same time?
  47. F/A josquin from van, Canada writes: Such plates are stupid, useless affectations.

    A car is transportation, simple.

    I don't give a crap who is inside, and certainly don't want to be alerted to their silliness.
  48. Michael Sharp from Victoria BC, Canada writes:

    Nine people to ensure licence plates are politically correct.

    The Nanny State in action.

    Ya wanna bet those nine people are paid REALLY well?

    It makes me sick.
  49. James C. from Chaozhou, Guangdong, China writes: two things of note: 1. the bureaucrat who equated the license plate with the name of an alcoholic drink and that thereby, the license plate condoned drinking and driving, is a fool.

    2. this statement by premier mcguinty: "Every once in a while governments do things that bring themselves into disrepute; we can also do things that make ourselves outright laughable" is ironic in that his government has largely been considered a joke by many ontarians.

    lets hope mr mcguinty does better second time around.
  50. Shallows Of Game. from writes: That's because McGuinty's such a Jerk-Off.

    But that doesn't make him a reverend.
  51. Vern McPherson from writes: You idea logs are really stupid. Too stuid for words.
  52. liquid sherwood from Canada writes: thisrtiklesux
  53. Frank Black from Syrian Arab Republic writes: Haven't bothered to read anyone's comment because I imagine there will be people who continue to view things on political lines instead of what is best for the people.

    McGuinty was honest, admitted to a mistake and took the right action. That is what I want from politicians - regardless of their political affiliation. Congrats to you Dalton. You're very close to gaining my vote in the next election. Even if you don't, I respect how you trying to change the way politics is done. Hear Hear.
  54. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: When the National Post wrote an article called "Re-electing a clown ." after Danny Williams big win in Newfoundland, I am not sure that they didn't actually mean to address their comments to Ontario. Time will tell.
  55. Orange Latern from Canada writes: I smell a set up. How convenient for Dalton to ride into the sunset looking the hero here. I just hope he was facing the right way on his horse.
  56. Vern McPherson from writes: McGuiinty hating is the favored public pastime for misfits in Ontario these days. It's the new COns stragety to become the natural governing party and by default make president harper look so very godlike.
  57. Interested Observer from Vancouver, Canada writes: 9 member review panel - are they paid?
  58. white wolf from Canada writes: time to get rid of this whole concept of a multicultural society and poltical correctness and such stuff and keep Canada Canadian in its concept, its history and its culture, the whole concept of trying to adapt to 150 languages and cultures is detrimental to this country and its heritage and its future

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