17 states stuck in license showdown

[villager]

Source: AP

17 states stuck in license showdown

By DEVLIN BARRETT, Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Residents of at least 17 states are suddenly stuck in the middle of a fight between the Bush administration and state governments over post-Sept. 11 security rules for driver's licenses — a dispute that, by May, could leave millions of people unable to use their licenses to board planes or enter federal buildings.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who was unveiling final details of the REAL ID Act's rules on Friday, said that if states want their licenses to remain valid for air travel after May 2008, those states must seek a waiver indicating they want more time to comply with the legislation.

Chertoff, as he revealed final details of the REAL ID Act, said that in instances where a particular state doesn't seek a waiver, its residents will have to use a passport or a newly created federal passport card if they want to avoid a vigorous secondary screening at airport security.

"The last thing I want to do is punish citizens of a state who would love to have a REAL ID license but can't get one," Chertoff said. "But in the end, the rule is the rule as passed by Congress."

<snip>

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080111/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/secure_driver_s_licenses

---

Chertoff doesn't want to deprive anyone who'd "love" a "REAL ID license!" Whatta guy!

[Gormy Cuss]

1. ".. resident will have to use a passport..." to travel domestically.

REAL ID is a national ID scheme, period.

First it will be needed for plane travel, then it will be extended to all common carriers. I'm really surprised that DHS hasn't suggested transponders in all cars too, because once the terrorists are prevented from traveling on planes etc. they'll need to drive everywhere.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. Car transponders have already been suggested

All it takes is a few crimes solved by use of on-board GPS systems and the public will be DEMANDING that the government track their every movement. Then there is the wonderful convenience of having a transponder tell roads and bridges who you are so they can automatically deduct tolls from your checking account.

It is already happening now, believe me.

[dysfunctional press]

6. when they start issuing speeding tickets based on transponder data-

people WILL revolt.

here in illinois they have promised not to do it, but WHEN they do, i will only use my transponder to enter the tollway, then put it in my glovebox, and pay cash to get off.

[juno jones]

9. If it goes that far

We probably would be prevented from ever turning them off.

[dysfunctional press]

11. you can't turn them off now-

but they're mounted on the inside of the windshield with velcro strips- easy to remove.

[reggie the dog]

14. I always refused the I PASS bullshit

then, after I left, they doubled the tolls for those of us that paid in cash. You pay double in Illinois for using CASH. Now I take 83 to 55 to go south or west instead of 355. I take 290 instead of 90 to get from downtown to the northwest suburbs, or 90 to IL 72. And instead of 294 I just go right through downtown. Of course I am only in Chicago on vacations nowdays so I am never in a hurry.

[damntexdem]

2. The first thing he wants to do is to punish us all.

If they push this one too far, they are going to have a backlash on their hands. Residents of hte other states need to push their states to drop their plans to comply.

[Demeter]

10. The Backlash Is Way Overdue Already

but people are doing it individually and quietly.

[mac2]

3. Yet another ploy to make money off of fear

[catnhatnh]

4. I want to see....

how they're going to seat a jury in Federal cases in those 17 states since passports and Federal IDs are optional???

[kimmylavin]

7. "A vigorous secondary screening"?

Hell, I've already gotten those, for the crime of carrying shampoo.
Will I now be moved on to a strip search if I don't have my "papers"?

[Eugene]

8. LA Times: States get more time on national ID law

Source: Los Angeles Times

States get more time on national ID law

The requirement for secure driver's licenses has met
with resistance over cost and privacy issues.

By Nicole Gaouette,
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
1:02 PM PST, January 11, 2008

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration, facing opposition
from many states over cost and privacy concerns, hit the
brakes today on a controversial law requiring Americans to
carry tamper-proof driver's licenses, giving states more
time to comply with the measure and lower costs.

The 2005 Real ID Act would have required states to start
issuing tamper-proof IDs by May. The new regulations
issued by the Department of Homeland Security allow
states to request a waiver that would give them until
2010. The changes also put off the deadline for final
compliance by five years, from 2012 to 2017.

-snip-

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the new
regulations would give states more time to comply and set
a series of security benchmarks that would help crack down
on illegal immigrants.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-realid12jan12,0,147509.story?coll=la-home-center

[kurth]

12. Just about the worst piece of shit legislation ever

Now why did the Dems allow such an abomination to become law?

[MaineDem]

13. So proud my state is fighting this! n/t

[matcom]

15. I'm glad 'conservatives' are for state's rights and smaller government

:eyes: