<Kentucky's use of Mr. Smiley faces on vehicle license plates ended this month.
Officially called a "smiling sun" face, the logo reportedly was frequently defaced with stickers of frowning faces or duct tape since its introduction in 2002.
Good riddance. The inane icons convey no more legitimate meaning than those stupid :), :( etc. punctuation marks symbolizing responses in on-line messages.
In fact, public elementary schools should be prohibited from using smiley faces and other stickers on tests, homework and bulletin boards.
What's wrong with genuine emotions expressed in words?
Better yet, start using imaginative stickers displaying an upright middle finger or an index finger circling an ear. (24 JULY 2005)
