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Frowning On Friendly

When Kentuckians are asked about their new license plate--which says of the Bluegrass State: "It's that friendly"--they get downright grouchy.

When Kentuckians are asked about their new license plate--which says of the Bluegrass State: "It's that friendly"--they get downright grouchy.

Besides the slogan, the license plate features a backdrop of green hills, reddish horizon and blue sky. Yet smack-dab in the middle of the license plate is a grinning, cartoonish yellow sun that has state residents turning their smiles upside-down.

Some say that the image makes Kentucky look backward, others say its cheeriness is obnoxious and still others say it has nothing to do with Kentucky's rich heritage.

One sign of discontent may be reflected in the 10 percent increase in purchases of specialty license plates, which cost extra, since the new design became the state's standard plate in January.

Despite the criticism, the state has no plans to ditch the new plate until after its standard five-year run is complete. It's too early to say whether officials will seek more public input next time, although many citizens have clamored for a vote on proposed designs in the wake of the smiley-sun fiasco.

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