Is it a message to the people or a personal credo? Depends who you talk to. One camp, consisting of Freeborn County, Minnesota, administrator Ronald Gabrielsen, believes his licence plate, which bears the acronym FOAD, stands for words he takes close to heart: “Freedom Offers Americans Democracy.” The other camp, comprised of pretty much everyone else, sees the more common “Fuck Off and Die,” which is why Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services have begun the recall procedure on the plates.

Gabrielsen argues that his plate encapsulates the pride he takes in his time in the Navy and in his role as county administrator. Those who complained to the MDVS’s Special Plates Unit, however, don’t buy it.

“It’s very distasteful,” said one resident. “Anyone who was in the service knows what it means and they aren’t going to think of it the same way he says it.”

Gabrielsen says he’ll remove the plates if he has to, but admits no wrongdoing. Just the same, county commissioners will meet this week to discuss possible disciplinary action.

» Scott Saxon