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.
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
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.
Just a little of your freedom here and a little of your freedom there. Nothing much all at once.
1) We already have Social Security Cards
2) We already have Birth certificates
3) WE already have Driver's licenses
Is it really so bad? I'm just pissed because Its going to be harder for me to get into a bar.
Its just like a passport.
Oh, and credit cards. The government can track you through your credit card purchases.
It isn't very scary.
We have been "trackable" for decades really. But the sad part is rather than fix the problem, the border and our governments total lack of guts to fix the immigrant problem, we will continue to let in everything that wants to come into our country -- and then try and I.D. them...???
On this issue, as well as others, Washington has really let this country down.
Ping
at least there will be some standards between the States in the form, content and anti-conterfeiting security for these ID's (I hope - After all, this is a Gov't project). As far as the loss of freedom I don't think this presents any more of an intrusion than a Social Sec. #, a passport or any other forms of ID now in use presents. If you don't like those for privacy reasons you probably won't like this, for the same reasons
Well, we have drunk driver roadblocks, seatbelt roadblocks, insurance check roadblocks, lack of license roadblocks, child seat roadblocks, so having to swipe your driver's license at each county line and city limits should be acceptable.
Not a good plan. Let's profile Muslims, first, and close borders, second. Then we'll discuss this sh*t.
I do not like it....
I think it is an invasion of privacy....and a slam at state's rights. NO THANKS
1) We already have Social Security Cards
2) We already have Birth certificates
3) WE already have Driver's licenses
True, but we don't have this:
"..."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."
This makes it totally different and a bad idea. HLS can't find the sleeper cells, can't or won't shut down the borders, and can't stop worrying about offending CAIR but they are spot on when it comes to tracking ordinary american citizens. HLS will eventually become like the KGB.
I like it.
there is already a mag strip on the back of id's in Texas.
No storm troopers have repelled in through the windows yet......
So I am not too worried about it. I just wish they would use this to stop illegal voting.
Like I said...no problems yet....
Wait a minute....what's that noise on the roof....
WHERE DID THAT RED DOT COME FROM?
Hey...what do you think you are doing....
Get out of my....home..........AAAAAAAAAGGGHHHH!!!!
(end transmission)
Terrific. I mean it.
So many people don't understand the basic laws of identification cards:
1. There is no technology that cannot be counterfeited.
2. If I can make people think that all they have to do is verify a card, rather than identify me, identity theft is pretty easy.
3. This will be the master card for stealing people's identity within two years of its introduction.
4. Within four years, any terrorist who needs one will be able to counterfeit one, and no one at the border will question it.
Result? Such a card would
a. Decrease security.
b. Increase identity theft.
c. Annoy many people needlessly.
Of course, that requires thinking about consequences.
Good luck.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.