'Don't Tread on Me' license plate letters rile readers who respond with their own views

Editor’s note: In response to The Tennessean Sunday newsletter on Jan. 28 highlighting recent letters debating the most popular Tennessee specialty license plate, which features the “Don’t Tread on Me” Gadsden Flag, more readers responded with their views on the issue. If you would like to join the debate, send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, address and contact information for verification; only writers' names, cities/towns and ZIP codes will be published.

Don’t take away my freedom

Re: “Tennessee license plates like "Don't Tread on Me" tag pit citizens against each other,” by Jim Bellar.

Unfortunately here we are again taking the views of a simple misguided individual. I moved to Tennessee for the right to choose. And that includes license plates.

As those of us listen to the actual news. They're trying to eliminate our freedoms. Starting with Article 1, and Article 2 of our Constitution.

Wake up, America, and smell the coffee.

David Anglin, Kingsport 37660

The tag evokes memories of manure    

I have increasingly identified this plate, especially when from a slight distance, as akin to those “poop” emojis and toys.

I really don't understand that whole graphic craze, but I get great delight in interpreting the graphic in that way when spying this specialty plate.

Roger Johnson, Oak Ridge 37830

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Don’t thumb your nose at authorities

As to vanity license plates, ask the Highway Patrol and the sheriffs' offices for their opinions. After all, it is a license plate, created and used, among other things, to help them provide law and order.

It shouldn't be used as a personal billboard. They should all be the same size and color, easily legible, easy to get pictures of and easy to recognize.

The ones we have now were declared unphotographable when they first came out. I haven’t heard any more about that, but it should be checked before the next batch is created.

If someone wants to express their personal opinions to all the folks on the highway, let them get a decal or one of those license plates sold in truck stops and service stations with cutesy sayings and airbrushed hearts and put it on the front of the car.

Our law enforcement personnel need all the help we can give them.

Kay Guenther, Brentwood 37027

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I call them as I see them

Re: “I'm not an extremist. I got 'Don't Tread on Me' license plate to honor American history,” by Duncan Bosley.

It would be easier to believe that most people who display the Gadsden flag license plate did so for the same reasons as Mr. Bosley, if I hadn’t seen an actual Gadsden flag flying from the beds of so many pickup trucks, alongside a Confederate battle flag and a “(expletive) Biden” flag.

William Woodruff, Shelbyville 37160

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Imagine BLM in place of ‘Don’t Tread on Me’

I see a number of comments about how the Gadsden flag isn't at all divisive but represents nothing more than basic American values and people are amazed that anybody can see it differently.

I invite those people to consider a license plate stating that “Black Lives Matter.” I can't imagine a less controversial statement, yet a sizable minority of people find the whole idea to be dangerous to the country and to themselves.

So, if you are one of those people, then perhaps you can understand what many of us feel when we see your license plate.

Jim Timmie, Hendersonville 37075

Same old story, different topic

The response of both sides is typical.

On one side, if they don’t like something they want it banned so no one can have it.

On the other side, if they don’t want something, they simply don’t buy it

Larry Musgrove, Kodak 37764

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We need more religion, less division

Lifelong conservative Republicans, we came to Nashville seven years ago to be near our daughter, a university professor here, and her family.

We expected a vibrant, modern, national collection of interesting minds and viewpoints, and that has certainly been satisfied.

But just slightly beneath that, and disguised in plain sight under this supposed license plate debate, is an unfortunate core cult of diehard supporters of Donald Trump, an anti-American misogynist sex abuser; whose business were been convicted of tax fraud; and charged with being an insurrectionist second only to Aaron Burr.

They and their type have reduced my political party to an annual irrelevancy for the past seven years. If we really need a license plate slogan, “God Bless America” suits me fine, and to cure Trump’s hatred and divisiveness, we desperately need His Blessings just now.

Robert A. McTamaney, Nashville 37205

Let's stop trying to erase our history

I am a 65 year old woman who is a military wife of a Gulf War disabled veteran. I am a retired, disabled Emergency Medical Service worker (40 years). My parents were U.S. Navy. Last but not least, I am a very proud American!

The two main things that I am not are:

1. A racist

2. Anti-government.

When I first read about the controversy over the Don't Tread on Me plate, I was shocked. Regardless, we will continue to display our DTOM symbols.

Fact: In the United States Military, the phrase is the motto of the U.S. Army's oldest infantry regiment, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), located at Fort Myer, Virginia. "Don't tread on me" is also used in the First Navy Jack of United States Navy.

Shame on the people who take something good and twist it to make it fit their ideology.

History is not here for us to like or dislike, approve or disapprove, but to learn from. If you don't like it, don't repeat it! People need to stop trying to erase it. It is real, tragic and sometimes messy, but it is still history. The energy and resources used to try to erase it should be used towards creating a better future. Then, new generations will read that history and be proud of what we accomplished.

Gail Coleman, Atoka 38004

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's 'Don't Tread on Me' specialty plate provokes more letters