For Those Concerned About The Real ID Bill

[athelind]

Some time tomorrow, the Senate will vote on a bill to make a National ID card mandatory. Even if you don't oppose such a thing on principle, the specific details of this bill will do nothing to increase national security and everything to compromoise personal security, making Identity Theft that much simpler -- and making surveillance of American citizens that much easier.

The UNREAL ID web site has far more information about this bill than I could provide, and will fax a letter of your composition to your Senator, allowing you to object to this bill within this all-too-short timeframe, and request that they vote it down.

Comments

[cargoweasel.livejournal.com]

Imagine if it was President Clinton signing this bill into law, how many government buildings would be blown up by domestic terrorists. How many militias would be freaking out and every big-government hating libertarian would be stocking up on canned goods and guns in preperation for the imminent UN takeover of Amurika. A National ID Card is one of their pet boogeymen, I first heard paranoid conspiracy theories about it fifteen years ago. Now, is there much of a peep from the right wing? Nah, their guy's in power. It's OK If Big Government Is Republican.

[shavastak.livejournal.com]

Someone told me that the worst part of the ID bill is that it empowers the head of homeland security to rescind any law. (I'm sure it says he has to have a reason that's homeland-security related but we all know how easy it is to make up reasons like that.) I don't have time today to read through the articles to find the truth, at least not until tonight; if someone else can confirm what I've been told I'd appreciate it. Otherwise, I'll do it tonight or tomorrow.

[silussa.livejournal.com]

Not quite rescind any law....but essentially, the way it's written, anything "obstructing" border security can be waived.

The focus, apparently, is to build a new wall along the US-Mexican border near San Diego, including filling a valley with sand. The environmental obstacles, needless to say, have been substantial.

[silussa.livejournal.com]

Wrote my Senators over the weekend. Four pieces of ID to renew your license, and a national database in all but name. Bleh.

Not to mention you can bet that businesses will go from recording your DL on a check to a simple "swipe"...which will include everything on your license, including new stuff they haven't thought of yet.

[hedgegoth.livejournal.com]

You know what kills me?
10 years ago rabid conservatives were screaming about national ID cards.
Now they're pushing for them.

Hate peoples we doess

[hitchkitty.livejournal.com]

Y'know, the same thought had occurred to me. Someone else has already noted the whole "mark of the Beast" aspect to this, and I remember thinking at the time, "Shouldn't Right-Wing Christ Fanboys be up in arms over this?"

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

Only 7 more years to 2012 friend.....

[edhyena.livejournal.com]

*looks North towards Canada* Dude, bail?

[athelind.livejournal.com]

Too poor. They want you do have X Months Worth Of Income As Savings.

[araquan.livejournal.com]

Not far enough away.

[paka.livejournal.com]

What gets me is that the first time any of this hit the news was at the same time as the Runaway Bride story. So like any good American I thought, okay, what sort of sleazepuck thing is the government doing now, that the media is launching a big ol' human interest distraction story? And it turned out to be this thing.

My own paranoia about these things aside, I worry that this will interface with some sort of three-strikes-you're-out criminal charge thing, a little like some of what California has already but on a national scale - and that the goal of that will be to make sure demographics which traditionally oppose the Republicans will be safely disenfranchised and stuck in ghettos.

[paka.livejournal.com]

Okay, now I'm pissed. I wrote to Senators Boxer and Feinstein, and I have not heard back from Sen. Boxer's office. I was so pissed at the reply from Feinstein's office, however, that I wanted to make sure you and other readers got to see it, to make sure this Republican stoolie doesn't get any of our votes in the future;

Thank you for your letter regarding the "REAL ID Act of 2005"
(H.R. 418). I welcome the opportunity to respond.
As you know, Congressman Sensenbrenner introduced H.R. 418
in the House of Representatives earlier this month, and the bill passed the
House of Representatives on February 10th. Generally, I support the
thrust of the bill, which I am in the process of reviewing. I would hope
that there will be hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee and that we
will follow Senate procedure. I may have some changes to recommend
and believe there needs to be a thorough analysis and discussion of its
provisions.

I believe that the Federal government should have the ability to
issue standards that all state-issued driver's licenses and identification
documents should meet. The issue is how should this be done, phased in
and paid for. And I think that the Senate needs to examine these issues
and help ensure it is not an unfunded mandate on the states.

Finally, I also am a strong supporter of Operation Gatekeeper
and completion of the border fence, which is one of the bill's provisions.

Again, thank you for writing, and please know that I will keep
your comments in mind as the Senate considers this legislation. I hope
you will continue to keep in touch. If you have any further questions
please contact my Washington, D.C. staff at (202) 224-3841.