Weren't we attacked on September 11th by Saudi nationals and a few other non-citizens? Why is our approach, to tighten security and to dig deeper into the lives of actual citizens? In a overtly partisan maneuver to get talking points for the 2006 elections, Republicans have inserted a rider on the Iraq appropriations bill that gives them a "voted against it quote" and reduces privacy at home while still promoting freedom abroad. Sheer Machiavellian genius.
Do a Google on iraq appropriation congress national id. How many hits before you get to a MSM-type link? Even then, surprisingly, it's the Washington Times.
The REAL ID bill, authored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., would require state motor vehicle departments to verify an applicant's identity and legal right to be in the country before issuing a driver's license.States would not be forced to comply, but if they did not within three years their drivers' licenses would cease to be federally recognized for identity purposes and could not be used to board planes or access federal buildings.
A Federal ID card? The religious right aren't totally asking for Sensenbrenner's head? This is the kind of stuff, the Apocalypticians dream of. When again, did it become so important that the government get bigger and increasingly more intrusive?
Sensenbrenner has a bit of a history in this genre.
This is an important step in protecting Americans’ privacy. Maintaining privacy is just one small step the government can take to help Americans secure their financial interests. I laud the Treasury Department’s decision, and hope it will help people throughout Wisconsin feel more secure about their financial futures.Rated 7% by the ACLU, indicating an anti-civil rights voting record.
Who's going to manage this level of oversight, an organization that functions like the TSA? Who now, won't allow a cigarette lighter (Richard Reid used matches, which are allowed) and need your birth date and full name. Just in case George Smith and Mary Thomas suddenly pop up on a "watch list"? The simple act of instituting this system would cost billions and I thought Social Security was in trouble? How good can it be if even the DHS isn't behind it?
They're manufacturing their own end times.
Posted by kerry at May 4, 2005 12:52 PM | TrackBackWe have lost the country to a band of fascist thieves led by a simpleton, and we did it willingly.
May God truly bless America, because the people certainly don't give a shit.
Posted by: Liberal AND Proud at May 5, 2005 03:33 AMJust got off the phone with Jeb's office. Told him I did not expect my Republican congressman to support national ID's. I would not want a Democrat to support it either. But, hey. This is crazy.
Posted by: Chris at May 5, 2005 11:24 AM