[rebel_yell2]

A national ID card, REQUIRED to board an airplane, for example, but not for day to day things, kinda like a PASSPORT, makes it more difficult for these terrorists to wander around our great country. Had there been such a system in place, most, if not all, of these killers would have been caught at the gate, and we wouldn't have had the disaster we now have in NYC and DC. But, of course, if that it TOO much trouble for some of you, we can accept the status quo of hijacked planes flown into our national treasures; YOU CHOOSE.

[NautiNurse]

When I first read about this topic, I immediately thought about our passports (appropriate nomenclature for the task it serves), issued by the Dept. of State, whose data base doesn't 'talk' with the INS, an agency of the Dept. of Justice.

Go figure...

Question of the day--can someone provide some history about why these two very related agencies fall under different departments?

[angkor]

A national ID card, REQUIRED to board an airplane, for example, but not for day to day things, kinda like a PASSPORT, makes it more difficult for these terrorists to wander around our great country.

Amazing thought, RY.

About a month ago, Continental asked me to put my DRIVERS LICENSE into their e-ticket machine in order to fulfill the FAA mandate that all passengers must present picture ID prior to boarding. I refused, opting to wait in line and show it to them instead.

Now, what possible "national ID" would be more secure than a driver's license or passport? How would this national ID be validated? Who would issue it? How would the issuer know that you are not (or that you are) a terrorist in the U.S. under false credentials?

The only way that a "national ID" could have any security advantage over a driver's license is if it also included a background check, and the physical ID itself was designed to prevent forgery.

So the issuance of a secure "national ID" (this IS about security, yes?) would entail a H-U-G-E bureaucracy doing background checks on every single American. Think of how long it might take YOU to get your secure "national ID", not to mention the other 250 million of us.

Who does the checks on 250 million Americans? What are the criteria? And finally, who is printing and distributing these "unforgeable" ID cards?

As an example, the INS now has an "unforgeable" green card for permanent residents. Fingerprint, photo, holographics, mag stripe, etc. You know how long it takes to actually obtain this super-duper "unforgeable" green card once you've been approved for permanent residency? ONE YEAR!

Sample super-super green card, courtesy BBC.

So in addition to being an insane solution to a nonexistant problem; in addition to being an incredibly intrusive infringement on American values and liberties; in addition to there being no such thing as an "unforgeable" ID document; in addition to all of that, the impossible logistics of background checking you as a "true American" worthy of such a card, and the insanity of actually producing and distributing such a document to 250+ million Americans, well.... I think it's clear that the entire notion is absolutely insane, impractical, and pointless.

And, hell, if I were a Chinese or Nigerian or Latin American high-tech forger, I'd be firing up my super-duper "secure American ID card" equipment right now, and selling those babies to every criminal and terrorist on the planet for $2,000 a pop.

Wow, what a great idea this is.

[RightOnline]

"A national ID card, REQUIRED to board an airplane, for example, but not for day to day things, kinda like a PASSPORT, makes it more difficult for these terrorists to wander around our great country. Had there been such a system in place, most, if not all, of these killers would have been caught at the gate, and we wouldn't have had the disaster we now have in NYC and DC. But, of course, if that it TOO much trouble for some of you, we can accept the status quo of hijacked planes flown into our national treasures; YOU CHOOSE."

Don't suppose you read my reply above. Prove to me that such a card can't be/couldn't be counterfeited. THINK this time before responding.

[Dr. Frank fan]

Had there been such a system in place, most, if not all, of these killers would have been caught at the gate, and we wouldn't have had the disaster we now have in NYC and DC.

Actually there was such a system in place. Well, a similar one, at least. It's called "Visas".

Many of the terrorists were apparently here on lapsed Visas (and had known terrorist links to boot). Why weren't they rounded up and sent home then? You tell me.

If the FBI doesn't have the political willpower to round up and send home people who are known to have terrorist links and lapsed Visas, then what makes you think they will after a Nat'l ID card is in place?

[Kithlyara]

Last time I flew, I already had to show my driver's license before they would let me board the plane. So did my husband.

How is getting a National ID going to change anything? I can guarantee you, within a few months of their release, any illegal with enough money will be able to buy one on the black market.

[snorkeler]

A national ID card, REQUIRED to board an airplane, for example, but not for day to day things,

You have to get away from fixating on the planes. That horse has already left the barn

A person walks into the Sears Tower and sprinkles a vial of "X" into the ventilation, infecting 5000 people who go home and hug their kids and kiss their spouses. The next day the kids and spouses spread X through the schools and offices. How would your 'plane' card help here?

OK...so we make it so you DO have to show it for day to day things so the woman has to buy a fake card before she slips into the Sears towers to spread "X". How will the silly card really protect us? Just somebody design a scenerio where that silly card protects us from anything????