I'm Myra from NC—I think I had the very first ITMFA license plate. They pulled it about 2 months ago—I got a polite letter, a self addressed envelope for the return, and a new plate in the mail. I HAD to put on the new plate, or I wouldn't have been legal driving. But I did not return the plate. I will hang it up, framed, for my grandson to have. And I did not cash the check they sent to refund my special plate fee. Therefore, the transaction never finished in their computers, and they cannot make me return it. A memento. It was great while I had it on, though. Myra G.

Where are you, ACLU?

In other ITMFA news, my old arch-enemies at the Des Moines Register published an editorial in defense of ITMFA plates.

Who cares if a driver you've never met is Cyclone fan (CYFAN) or likes to play tennis (10SNE1)? Personalized license plates are curious because, like bumper stickers, they reveal the need some people have to announce tidbits about themselves to other motorists who probably couldn't care less.

But in some cases, the government cares a lot. Government-issued plates are subject to government regulation.

The Iowa Administrative Code states personal plates can have "No combination of characters...which is sexual in connotation; defined in dictionaries as a term of vulgarity, contempt, prejudice, hostility, insult, or racial or ethnic degradation; recognized as a swear word; considered to be offensive; or a foreign word falling into any of these categories."

Defining "offensive" is tricky business. And likely a headache for Iowa Department of Transportation officials who take complaints about license plates. This year, the DOT has sent letters to nine Iowans asking them to surrender their plates.

Included in the list are: ITMFA, HORNDOG, GOTWUD1, HUKDFOX, BCHMGNT, 2REDRUM, COOTER, and 3REICH.

We'll admit we were scratching our heads on a few of these until we checked the Internet for the meaning of slang terms.

The DOT also issued a letter to John Miller of Boone for the FNADER plates on his Corvair. He's not only refusing to give them up; he's getting some help from the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa.

There are thousands of words in the English language beginning with the letter F. Is that letter now recognized as always synonymous with a swear word?

We don't think so. Censoring it amounts to censoring thoughts.

Register writer John Carlson elaborated on ITMFA in a recent column. This is apparently taken from an anti-Bush Web site and stands for "Impeach the (expletive) Already."

But how could anyone be offended unless they read Carlson's column or were familiar with the Web site?

Aside from banning plates that spell out profanities, the DOT should leave creative Iowa drivers alone.

Anyway, a quick note: If you're the person in Washington DC who has ITMFA license plates on your car (I failed to save your email), please send me a note at savage@thestranger.com. The Washington Post wants to talk with you about your plates, your politics, and your feelings for our president.

If this is your car, if these are your plates, please get in touch!

Glen Keenan got his shiny new personalized license plates on Aug. 1.

The polite, but firm, letter from the Iowa Department of Transportation arrived a week later.

If he would be so kind, the state told him, please "voluntarily surrender" the new plates. Within 10 days. In other words, pronto.

"I don't know what to do, but I don't think so," said Keenan, a lifelong Iowan from Jefferson County. "It's not an obscene message. I really don't understand why I wouldn't be allowed to keep them."

Keenan tells me this is what his personalized Iowa license plates say: ITMFA.

...

There were two complaints about Keenan's plates similar to the objection somebody had in Chapter 1 of Iowa's personalized license plate problem.

Surely you remember John Miller of Boone, the guy who put the "F NADER" plates on his Corvair. The state has ordered the plate be revoked, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa is intervening on his behalf.

The first step is an administrative hearing. Keenan says he, too, is in contact with the ACLU.

Miller's and Keenan's are two of the nine state-ordered revocations this year.

"I don't know what the big deal is with mine," said Keenan, 41. "My plate isn't vulgar. It's simply a series of letters than can mean any number of things."

Really?

"Sure," he said. "It can mean 'Impeach the Miserable Failure Already.' Or it could mean 'Information Technology Masters Fine Arts.' You could think of lots of things. I mean, any vehicle with an 'F' on the license plate could be objectionable to somebody."

Which is why they are treating migraines at the Iowa Department of Transportation. And possibly elsewhere.

The Web site also has pictures of vehicles in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., with the same message on license plates.

What will it take for Keenan to ditch the plates?

"I'll give them up if Bush is impeached or when he's no longer president," Keenan said.

That's Glen K., his lovely daughter JoEllen, and his son Jack—all representing ITMFA in deepest, darkest Iowa. Thanks for sharing the pic, Glen!

Democrat Bob Casey Jr. needs all the contributors he can get to unseat U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum—except Dan Savage, apparently.

The Seattle-based syndicated sex columnist who minted a raunchy definition of "santorum" and assembled a Web site to share it with all the world tried channeling his distaste for Pennsylvania's junior senator with a $2,100 contribution to Casey's campaign.

But six weeks after receiving a thank-you call from a Casey staffer and an invite to his Seattle fundraiser, Savage learned this week that his money wasn't necessarily welcomed.

Not directly, at least.

Casey's finance director called Savage on Tuesday to say thanks, but no thanks. The "higher ups" in the campaign decided the contribution could cause Casey more trouble than it was worth, Savage said he was told. Savage said he was then directed to some organizations supportive of Casey that might accept the check.

"That way Casey could benefit from my money without having to, you know, associate himself with the likes of me," Savage wrote on his blog. "Huh."

Casey's spokesman, Larry Smar, said the campaign returned the check "because of the controversial comments on his Santorum Web site and his column." They took a closer look at his work, decided his comments were "vulgar" and nixed the donation, Smar said.

Casey returned the money despite Santorum's fundraising advantage. The senator has raised $20.1 million as of last month — double Casey's campaign take.

Campaigns routinely vet their donors, looking to weed out people with unsavory backgrounds or anything else that could cause the candidate embarrassment down the road. Add sex columnist to the list of apparently questionable characters.

Then again, Savage isn't just any sex columnist. His anti-Santorum Web site is the No. 1 hit on a Google search of the senator's name, spawning a pop-culture reference used by the likes of liberal activist and actress Janeane Garofalo.

"Casey should man-up and take my money," Savage said today in an interview. "A little money from me isn't going to hurt him and he shouldn't be such a baby about it."

He admits to being miffed and a bit hurt. He did, after all, endure the scorn of some readers who objected to him supporting an anti-abortion candidate like Casey.

"I'm a pragmatic Democrat," Savage said.

His donation will go to Philadelphians Against Santorum, a grassroots organization.

Have you seen ITMFA anywhere? Take a pic and send it in!

I was in northern Minnesota, where I'm from, over the 4th of July weekend with my boyfriend. On our way out of town back to Minneapolis, we stopped at the Paul and Sheila Wellstone Memorial to pay our respects. At the entrance to the trails at the memorial, there's a polished stone monument with a poem engraved on it. On it, people had left a few mementos—campaign buttons, silk flowers, etc. Someone had also left an ITMFA button. I contemplated (for half a second) taking it, since the website has been sold out for awhile, but I left it to remind people that there's still hope!—Toni

An ITMFA drama in one short act...

Dear Dan and the ITMFAfites: I am a lawyer, so I bought two ITMFA pins; one to wear on my coat and one for my shirt pocket in the office. I have to confess that out of respect and a little fear of retaliation against my clients, I take off the ITMFA pin in the courtrooms of Red judges. I have this fantasy script of a bench conference with some Republican appointed judge: "Mr. Nagel, what does that ITMFA pin stand for?" "Your honor, it stands for: "It's The Motherland of Freedom, America!" "Mr. Lawyer, I don't think that's what your pin stands for!" "Well Judge, that's what they told me it stood for." "Who told you?" "The folks who want to see Bush impeached."—Tom

And, finally, at least one ITMFA buttons is in the hands of a US Congressperson...

I handed one of your buttons to Rahm Emmanuel (D-IL) at a meet and greet in the Portage Park Jewel.—Cheryl PS: Sorry about your Cubs. Not real sorry.

Yeah, and I'm sorry about your White Sox, Cheryl. (I'm going to assume you're a Sox fan, since you're gloating, and that's not very nice—which is just like a Sox fan.) All that winning and shit—it's got to be tiresome after a while.

I couldn't believe it when I saw my car on your site. I've been waiting to take the pic and send it in, because I promised my lovely friend Genevieve that she would be in the picture. This because she is the one who alerted me to the site, this terrific grassroots movement, and the possibility of vanity plates. What's really funny about all this? I'm a 40 year old Mommy of two boys, who's never had vanity plates, ever. How do I explain the acronym to the kids?—Julie O.

You have two options about what to tell the kids, Julie...

ITMFA = "Imeach the Miserable Failure Already." Google will back you up on this one, Julie. Search "miserable failure" on Google and you'll see what I mean. If you don't want to politicize your chillun' so young, you could go with what my boyfriend tells our son about the ITMFA plates on our car...

ITMFA = "I Took Mom's Fine Advice." Considering your mommy status, this option has obvious appeal.

Finally, feel free to send in another picture of your car—this time with your friend Genevieve in it. I'd be happy to post another—hey, anything for the woman driving around DC with ITMFA plates on her car!

But I'm on vacation now—and, hey, what better time to get some extra work done? First, a letter from Matthew...

I saw this on my way home yesterday in our nation's capital, and was thrilled. I never thought I'd actually see one of these plates. Did you ever think it would get this big when you proposed this?

I wonder if Bushie or his minions have ever seen this guy driving around DC. It's disturbing how many years of presidential work and international relations this idiot has undone in 6 years. Enjoy, and thanks for all the great advice, even if it's not coming directly to me, I still learn a great deal!—Matthew G.

Thanks for sharing, Matthew—and I hope Bush's limo goes past this car three times a week. Moving on...

Hey! I bought five lapel pins and distributed them, but now EVERYBODY wants one. And you're sold out. Is this out-of-stock a permanent thing, or can I expect to be able to order some more soon? They are so much more wearable than the buttons and Ts. Thanks, and keep up the good fight!—Kelly

I'm currently out of pins and buttons, Kelly, and I'm not sure I'm going to be getting any more in. This ITMFA thing has been, as Matthew points out, bigger than I thought it would be when I proposed it. I'm currently on vacation, and when I get home I'll decide whether or not I'm going to stay in the button and pin business...

To close, a reader's July 4th decorations...

Shame on me, the precinct chief! No one noticed—too bad. This is a picture of me at the Virginia Democratic primary election for the Senate. I'll wear it again in November—I believe that's when the Gay Marriage (oh, my!) initiative will be on the ballot. Stupid assholes....

Thanks for sharing, Precinct Chief!

In other ITMFA news, we have a winner—the next big, fat ITMFA.com check will be going to....

PLANNED PARENTHOOD!

There were tons of great suggestions, but I chose Planned Parenthood over all the others for one very good reason...

I am a Pennsylvania voter and I too am appalled at what Senator Santorum represents in the Senate. However, before jumping on the Casey bandwagon, please note that Mr. Casey is also anti-choice. The conscientious Pennsylvania voter is thus faced with a profound lack of alternatives. On balance, Casey is better than Santorum, but he is far from a desirable candidate.—Queasy Undecided In Pennsylvania

It's true: Bob Casey is opposed to abortion. But electing Casey we would take out Rick “Frothy Mix” Santorum, a much more rabidly anti-choice senator. Frothy Mix doesn't think you should be able to choose masturbation, for crying out loud. Moreover, electing Casey could help Dems take back the Senate, which will go a long way toward protecting choice, abortion rights, and other sexual freedoms, despite Casey's stance on choice. So casting a vote for Casey, or sending a contribution to Casey, is a pragmatic, progressive, pro-choice bankshot. Electing or two pro-life Dems is the price we're going to have to pay to put reliably pro-choice Dems in positions of power all over the Senate.

I do think, however, that a Casey donation—to say nothing of a Casey vote, QUIP—needs to be balanced out by one large, compensatory pro-choice gesture. Hence my decision to hand Planned Parenthood the next chunk of ITMFA dough. Planned Parenthood, of course, could have won the dough on the org's merits alone, but sending a check to the pro-choicers at Planned Parenthood neatly balanced out, karma-wise, the donation I've already made to Bob Casey, and that sealed the deal.

Of course there will be more ITMFA money to send out... so feel free to keep nominating worthy candidates and causes...

And now a few words from this sad, sad baby's mom...

I am always surprised by how chipper people look in their pictures on the ITMFA site... like they are oblivious that the whole country is going straight down the crapper. Although, I must admit that I was elated when my own ITMFA items from your site showed up in the mail.

Attached is a picture of my 1 year old in his ITMFA tee with his best ITMFA facial expression. It's as if he's saying, "I'm too young to vote. What the fuck is your excuse?" Also attached one in which is ponders the deeper meaning of ITMFA, a little sad, like he's wondering why parents who love him would raise him in on of the remaining red states of Bushlandia (Utah).

Thanks for what you're doing.

Utah Mom

Thank for writing, Utah Mom, and I can't help but ponder the same thing your sweet child is pondering: Why remain in one of the 3 states that still back Bush when there are 47 other perfectly charming states filled with folks who've come to their senses about our criminally incompetent/just plain criminal president? I mean, I like blond Morman boys more than anyone else I know, but that wouldn't be enough to keep me in Utah. No doubt you have some very good reason, and I want to thank you for all you're doing to tilt Utah into the Blue column. But I worry that it's a losing battle...

Paula G. writes...

This is a little off the topic of ITMFA, but Georgia for Democracy is offering some cool "I'm the decider. I vote." buttons. The don't quite have the edge of the ITMFA items, but figured I'd pass along the info. The design is pretty cool, too. $15 for 10, or $25 for 25 (shipping included). You can order them and see the design at www.georgiafordemocracy.org. Proceeds go to benefit GfD, which fights for progressive issues here in Georgia.

Progressive causes in Georgia need all the help they can get, so I'm happy to link to GfD's site. I can't think of a better way to compliment your ITMFA button or tee than with an "I'm the Decider" button. Order some!

Laura lives in Vancouver, BC, where she recently attended a wedding at the Harrison Hotsprings Resort. She passed ITMFA buttons out to the guests.

More pics here, here, and here. See? Even Canadians agree: We gotta ITMFA!

Okay, let's talk money: Last week, as promised, the first ITMFA checks went out: $4,000 to the ACLU; $2,000 to Bob Casey (the Dem running against Rick “Fecal Matter” Santorum in Pennsylvania); and $2,000 to Ned Lamont (the real Dem challenging faux Dem Joe “There is no morality without religion” Lieberman in Connecticut). But since George W. Bush continues to do stupid/illegal/immoral crap, orders for “impeach the motherfucker already” buttons and lapel pins at keep pouring in at ITMFA.com. And since more order means more money, I'm looking around for some other worthy recipientients.

Readers have suggested these worthy organizations: NARAL, Planned Parenthood, VoteToImpeach.com, the Union of Concerned Scientists. And since both Casey and Lamont are both Eastern candidates, some ITMFAers felt it might be nice to show some love to Western candidates like Jon Tester, a Dem running for the Senate in Montana, or Darcy Burner, a Dem running for the House in Washington state.

I've got a few thousand dollars worth of ITMFA cash burning a hole in my checking account—where would you like me to send the money? Let me know by emailing dan@itmfa.org.

The best looking guy at the lecture not only bought my books but also showed up in an ITMFA t-shirt. (Thanks for making my night, TCBATL!) I also spotted ITMFA buttons on a few other folks at the talk...

And the checks have been sent...

$4000 to the ACLU.
$2000 to Ned Lamont.
$2000 to Bob Casey.

Wow! What an awesome fundraiser this ITMFA stuff turned out to be. So who should get the next chunk of ITMFA change?

Let me know who you think should get the next check. There's another $2000 burning a hole in my checking acount, so write now!