License to pander

[BridgeTheGap]

Some will call it pandering to the Bible-thumpers.

Some will call it a nifty example of outflanking the political opposition.

Some will call it a meaningful gesture by a governor with very deep Christian roots, toward those who feel that religion too often has been needlessly driven out of the public square.

We're talking, here, about Gov. Steve Beshear's push for an optional Kentucky license plate with "In God We Trust" on it.

That's been our national motto since 1956, but it first appeared on our coinage in 1864, so its use has a long history, and there's nothing radical about putting it on the license plates of Kentuckians who want it there.

Indiana already has "In God We Trust" plates, and they're hugely popular.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080716/OPINION01/807160837/1055/OPINION