Posted on 02/10/2005 8:53:28 PM PST by tbird5
The U.S. House of Representatives approved on Thursday a sweeping set of rules aimed at forcing states to issue all adults federally approved electronic ID cards, including driver's licenses.
Under the rules, federal employees would reject licenses or identity cards that don't comply, which could curb Americans' access to airplanes, trains, national parks, federal courthouses and other areas controlled by the federal government. The bill was approved by a 261-161 vote.
The measure, called the Real ID Act, says that driver's licenses and other ID cards must include a digital photograph, anticounterfeiting features and undefined "machine-readable technology, with defined minimum data elements" that could include a magnetic strip or RFID tag. The Department of Homeland Security would be charged with drafting the details of the regulation.
Republican politicians argued that the new rules were necessary to thwart terrorists, saying that four of the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers possessed valid state-issued driver's licenses. "When I get on an airplane and someone shows ID, I'd like to be sure they are who they say they are," said Rep. Tom Davis, a Virginia Republican, during a floor debate that started Wednesday
When I read or hear these words it makes me understand just how indoctrinated into the acceptance of intrusive government most Americans have become. The right to privacy isn't 'hiding', it's the desire to live one's life without government supervision. But most importantly, steps like this one serve to pave the way for national ID cards that will be required for citizens to move around freely, and it's easy to forsee all kinds of stringent regulations and outright abuse in a system like this.
Just as one example, look at how driver's licenses can be taken away in some states for falling behind on child support, (Massachusetts), and they can be regulated to give only limited driving privileges, or color coded to indicate certain previous driving infractions or convictions. I can forsee our national ID cards being similarly regulated and categorized for various purposes such as identifying former felons or perhaps limiting how and where certain citizens are allowed to travel. The possibilities for undesirable control of people or serious restrictions of movement with national ID cards are endless.
"Republican politicians argued that the new rules were necessary to thwart terrorists, saying that four of the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers possessed valid state-issued driver's licenses."
Notice that they were not "fraudulent" licenses...They were Valid ones. This means they were issued legaly. This means that these new licenses would also be issued legaly with all the bells and whistles. This is just a smoke screen for a national ID card that will do nothing except Identify every detail about us on the fly. Where did you go America ? Why can't they just catch them at the borders ? Must we all suffer for there stupidity ? We except this like frogs in heating water. The mark of the beast is not far from here.
You and me both.
Ever since Waco.
The problem, folks, is with RFID.
Not having standardized licenses. In fact, if I remember correctly, it will stop states from giving illegal aliens drivers licenses.
If they start putting RFID tags in the cards, though, that is an entirely different matter. They can then track your every move.
Just put an RFID reciever here and there.. and whola!
Magnetic strips are one things - RFID tags are another.
Sort of reminds me of what the bible said about end times.
Everyone will be forced to take a number to survive or be killed.
666
-----
You are correct.
I think your're the idiot if you don't know your already completely able to be tracked down by the government. Your in their computer systems, they know where you live.
Yes we will, if someone doesn't have a card and speaks Spanish and looks Mexican,
bump
It's not the terrorist threat that this is designed for. Oh sure, it's useful for it, not as useful as profiling, but this is designed to deal with the next threat, whatever that might be... Constiutionalist, Patriots, anti one worlders... take your pick or add your own. A lot will be determined by who is wielding the power and what they're afraid of.
These threads always bring out the For the ChildrenTM or the "I'm not doing anything wrong, so I've nothing to hide" crowds whenever they're posted. It's really too bad when one is poised on a slippery slope...and doesn't even realize it's very muddy and icy.
In one instance last month, I was stopped twice in one day for license/insurance/registration inspection checkpoints. Not too much of a hassle, huh? I was forced to wait in line behind five other cars and delayed in getting to an important client before I could pass. Thankfully the people in front of me had their documentation ready. See the ugly problem lurking?
After that meeting, I was stopped at yet another checkpoint while going to my next business appointment. If one thinks for a split-second this is a voluntary traffic stop, try doing a perfectly legal U-turn to save some time and see what happens...
Before the flames start from the nanny-staters, I realize that the current licenses don't have transmission or GPS capability...but that is just because it isn't practical at this time. The insatiable statists would LOVE to have that monitoring functionality in the future.
~ Blue Jays ~
Good analysis. However, you've missed out the ultimate point -- the negative results you cite (quite accurately, IMNNHO) -- will serve as the excuse and/or impetus for the NEXT round of reductions of personal liberties.
It probably is just in place to help illegals and foreigners, and not natural-born Americans, as in evidence in every other darn measure they've passed in my lifetime.
God bless you all,
xxoo
Hyperbole is *not* your friend. I'm as against a national ID card as the next guy, but what passed today was not an electronic ID.
Fee:
This alarms me. Sigh...I'm just watching this thing unfold little by litte everyday. I posted this earlier:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1340347/posts
Very true. Talk to people who lived in former Communist Europe, Iraqis who were living under Saddam or anyone living in anti-freedom regime. They have the same story. "We did as we were told...you dared not question policy." How many died trying to be free. They were considered "criminals."
Anne Frank was a "criminal"...
They can all rot in hell too.
This country needs an enema and it needs to start in Washington District of Criminals.
Another portion of the bill says that states would be required to link their DMV databases if they wished to receive federal funds.
If you -- state politicians and bureaucrats, parasitical elite -- want a cut of the money we stole from your state's constituents then you'll observe the master-cult rules. Only then will you get the "funds".
The bill was approved by a 261-161 vote.
Long overdue, obviously. Blackbird.
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