Unless I miss my guess, this latest in the extra-Constitutional powers of the Federal Government will likely be unassailable by veto---please ... oh please, oh please, oh please ... correct me if I'm wrong--and thereby spare Bush any messy furor over the issue to mar the closing weeks of the campaign.
It's just like McCain's sitting out the GOP ratification of Roe during last election! With Kerry/Edwards off the table, this is definitely the Non-Issue of the season.
For old time's sake, Senator Byrd, you crusty son of a gun: Senate to vote on PNTR today! Byrd: "A virus infects the Senate."
And avoid Bush's temptation to fall into his personal vice: pandering to illegal non-citizens :p
(Which isn't as bad as Kerry's, but is bad enough)
SEC. __02. INTEGRATED SCREENING SYSTEM.
(a) IN GENERAL.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop a plan for a comprehensive integrated screening system.
(b) DESIGN.--The system planned under subsection (a) shall be designed to--
(1) encompass an integrated network of screening points that includes the Nation's border security system, transportation system, and critical infrastructure or facilities that the Secretary determines need to be protected against terrorist attack;
(2) build upon existing border enforcement and security activities, and to the extent practicable, private sector security initiatives, in a manner that will enable the utilization of a range of security check points in a continuous and consistent manner throughout the Nation's screening system;
(3) allow access to government databases to detect terrorists; and
(4) utilize biometric identifiers that the Secretary determines to be appropriate, feasible, and if practicable, compatible with the biometric entry and exit data system described in section __03.
***********************************************************
I don't get the sense in this. They have chosen to create a new "biometric" ID that will be used for "an integrated network of screening points that includes the Nation's border security system, transportation system, and critical infrastructure or facilities"...."in a manner that will enable the utilization of a range of security check points in a continuous and consistent manner throughout the Nation's screening system."
Why wouldn't they just vote to build a wall to stop illegals from entering, deport the ones we find here, and take out Iran, Syria, and the rest of the regimes that support terror? This bill (amendment) sounds like the Global Government people just found a good excuse to make a giant leap toward ending American liberty.
What the government giveth, the government WILL taketh away.
It won't take two years until much of what we are, our rights etc., will be intertwined with such a card. Step out of line and the masters will cut you off faster than BofA.
This is NOT good. I know some of you think this will fix problems. No, it will give the overlords complete control.
Ask yourself, do you really think this is voting or illegal immigration related? Hell no. If our leaders has wanted to stop illegal immigration they would have done so decades ago. And if they did so, they wouldn't have to worry about illegal aliens voting.
When this card is a reality, and it will be some day, look out, bumpy road ahead.
Cool!
Can I have mine branded onto my forehead so everybody can see it?
Department of Homeland Security Launches Prototype Phase of New Biometric ID Card for Transportation Workers
Wednesday, Nov 17, 2004Seven-month pilot will involve up to 200,000 workers in six states.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today began testing the technology and business processes involved in the Transportation Worker Identity Credential (TWIC) Program at the Port of Long Beach Container Terminal. The Prototype will expand to 34 sites in six states and will last seven months.
The TWIC is a tamper-resistant credential that contains biometric information about the holder that renders the card useless to anyone other than the rightful owner. Using this biometric data, each transportation facility can verify the identity of a worker and prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing secure areas.
“TWIC is a significant enhancement that will prevent terrorists and other unauthorized persons from gaining access to sensitive areas of the nation’s transportation system,” said Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security Asa Hutchinson. “Developing the Prototype for this new technology is another step in TSA’s continuing effort to enhance security in all modes of transportation.”
Currently, many transportation workers must carry a different identification card for each facility they access. A standard TWIC would improve the flow of commerce by eliminating the need for redundant credentials and streamlining the identity verification process.
Soon workers at three other sites will begin receiving their TWICs. These sites include the Philadelphia Maritime Exchange in Pennsylvania, as well as the Port of Pensacola, and Port Canaveral in Florida. In the weeks following, up to 200,000 workers from maritime, rail, aviation, and ground modes of transportation are expected to participate.
The TSA and the U.S. Coast Guard are beginning work on a joint rulemaking for the implementation of the TWIC for maritime workers. The information gained from the prototype phase should provide valuable input to the rulemaking process. TSA will be working with other agencies to develop complementary rules for the other transportation modes. Once the Prototype is complete, TSA will analyze the results to determine how the program will be implemented.
Fact Sheet: Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Prototype
Wednesday, Nov 17, 2004
Tamper-resistant credential containing biometric information will be tested in a seven month pilot program at 34 transportation facilities and ports of entry.
TWIC is a tamper-resistant credential that contains biometric information about the holder which renders the card useless to anyone other than the rightful owner. Using this biometric data, each transportation facility can verify the identity of a worker and help prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing secure areas. Currently, many transportation workers must carry a different identification card for each facility they access. A standard TWIC would improve the flow of commerce by eliminating the need for redundant credentials and streamlining the identity verification process.
Participants: up to 200,000
Prototype Sites: 34 locations in six states
Technologies included on the card:
- 64K contact Integrated Circuit Chip
- 4K (DesFire v6contactless) Integrated Circuit Chip
- dual-interface card (anticipate 72K) Integrated Circuit Chip
- Magnetic stripe
- Two-dimensional bar code
- Linear (3 of 9) bar code
- Unique card serial number
- Digital photo that complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard
Security features:
- Guilloche patterns
- Micro text
- UV printing
- Holographic overlays
TWIC Prototype Sites (34)
East Coast
- Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay (Philadelphia, Pa.)*
- MacArthur Airport (Islip, N.Y.)
- AMTRAK (Del.)
- Broadway Marine Terminal (N.J.)
- Beckett Street Terminal (N.J.)
- Gloucester Terminal (N.J.)
- SEPTA (Pa.)
- Packer Avenue Marine Terminal (Pa.)
- CSX (Pa.)
- Port of Wilmington (DE)
Southern California
- Long Beach Container Terminal*
- Port of Los Angeles
- Port of Long Beach
- American President Line (APL, Ltd.) Shipping Company
- British Petroleum Marine Terminal
- Crowley Marine Services
- Hanjin Shipping Company
- Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) (Union Pacific Railroad)
- Maersk Shipping Company
- Stevedoring Services of America (SSA Marine) Shipping Company
- Los Angeles International Airport
Florida
- Port of Pensacola*
- Port Canaveral*
- Port Everglades
- Port of Panama City
- Port of Fernandina
- Port of Jacksonville
- Port of Tampa
- Port of St. Petersburg
- Port of Manatee
- Port of Palm Beach
- Port of Miami-Dade
- Port of Key West
- Miami International Airport (Pending)
* Denotes site issuing cards the week of November 15 , 2004