Real ID brings Big Brother one step closer to reality:

[RedCappedBandit]

I recently read this article:

http://news.com.com/Homeland%20Security%20offers%20details%20on%20Real%20ID/2100-1028_3-6163509.html

which offers insight into the real ID act, and how these IDs will work etc.

I remember hearing about this a while back, but haven't really seen much discussion of this subject on these forums or anywhere else.

I did some research about the technology being used in these cards.. stumbled on tidbits of information involving implanting transponders into human flesh.. combine that with the privacy issues associated with these cards and i am deeply disturbed.

I'm curious as to all of your opinions about this issue, and whether you think this will actually happen / what can we do about it?

[MADem]

1. Maine is pushing back, hard. Ironically Susan Collins (GOP, but New England GOP, which

except for party caucusing, is like a Blue Dog) is leading the charge against it. Maine is a poor state and they don't want to spend the money implementing this:

Thursday's draft regulations arrive amid a groundswell of opposition to the Real ID Act from privacy groups, libertarians and state officials. On Wednesday, the National Governors Association endorsed a bill by Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, that would reduce Homeland Security's power to order states to comply with the law.

The draft rules, which are not final and will be subject to a public comment period, also include a more detailed estimate of how much it will cost to comply. The National Conference of State Legislatures and other state groups estimated last year that states will have to spend more than $11 billion. But Homeland Security says the total cost--including the cost to individuals--will be $23.1 billion over a 10-year period.

Another section of the 162-page regulations says that states have until December 31, 2009, to certify that they're on the path toward fully complying with the Real ID Act.

Push for repeal continues
Opponents of the Real ID Act, who have been advising states to publicly oppose the system, said that the draft rules are insufficiently privacy-protective and reiterated their call for a repeal of the entire law.

[Jcrowley]

2. Say it!

[southerncrone]

3. Another act that the new Dem congress should repeal.

Rest assured if you haven't heard much about it lately, that it is being quietly placed into action.

The less you hear, the more likely things are moving along at a rapid clip.

There are many Christian churches who are against this because they believe it represents "the mark of the beast".

This is a horrible, unnecessary idea. I am tired of the fear-mongering taking away ALL of our freedoms!
:thumbsdown:

[durtee librul]

5. And here I thought I was the only one who thought that

Bush was the antichrist and was going to implement the mark of the beast.....him and his 'new world order' and the combining of all socio and finacial worlds.....yep, I agree and I am NOT a nut case, but I think this chip or nat'l id is for the birds....and you can stick that right up there with a national driver's license as well.

He has got to go.....not only is he destroying our country, he is sinister and evil as well imho. I don't care if it's a perp walk, or impeachment or if the dumb f**k just moves to Paraguay and takes his bratty kids and wooden faced old lady with him, just get out of my country....

[underseasurveyor]

6. heh Perhaps someday you'll tell us how you really feel

:evilgrin:

Yea I'm with ya on that. That shit bothers me. I mean really bothers me-BAD.

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

4. The only place they're putting a chip into me is

my cold, dead hand.

[AdHocSolver]

7. Only identity thieves and spies could like Real ID as they want to implement it.

Just think about it. They put all your personal information on a card that is machine readable by anyone. Every convenience store, gas station, supermarket, department store, etc. will be recording this information and connecting it with every purchase you make, trip you take, every time you visit a doctor or dentist. Your life will be an open book to anyone with access to this information which will include millions of people here and around the world.

Not only data entry clerks, but your boss, some of your fellow employees, some of your relatives, will be able to track your every move. This is an identity thief's fantasy come true. Because so much information about everyone in the U.S. will be online, identity thieves can hack any number of databases to access pictures of you, handwriting samples, and background information. Then they can use data mining software to find individuals who resemble someone like themselves to create forged documents, fake "Real ID" cards, and use this information to commit fraud, theft, or blackmail. Correcting information about yourself and undoing damage to your reputation will be even more difficult than it is now because the people who implement this stuff will claim it is "foolproof" and therefore those who commit fraud with your identity are the "real" people and you are the "fake" one.

The best protection against identity theft and to keep your personal life private is to have the information about you scattered on separate, unconnected databases. Real ID will change that. It will provide a common link for all of your personal information that will allow just about anyone to access: your boss, your neighbors, your relatives, your friends, as well as identity thieves and spies and terrorists. If this bothers you, start to oppose Real ID now. Once it is implemented, there is no way to prevent these problems.