Sierra Indigo
05-17-2005, 03:23 PM
[Disclaimer: I'm at work right now, so I can't get access to the links I had to cite, but I'll add them to this thread once I'm home again and can retrieve them from my favourites list]
Does anyone know anything about this "Real" ID act that was passed sometime in the last week or so, allowing the creation of a national ID system in the US within the next three or so years?
The information I have says it was passed because it was stapled to the back of an act for security of troops in Iraq and/or funding for victims of the asia tsunamis, and no-one had the cojones to argue against any of those other acts just to stop this one going through.
More information I read also states that the bill was passed in part because it was put to the senate after many people had left for the weekend, and didn't even see it to vote on it.
Anyway, my point. On the idea of a National ID - I'm not for it, I like my (relative) anonymity. But I can see how a government would support one, and run in the correct manner it can be useful for security. But I don't agree with the underhanded way of getting something passed that they appeared to know most people would object to. It makes it seem like there's some ulterior motive that they're trying to hide, and quite frankly that's more than a bit scary.
Thoughts? Anyone heard anything more about this?
Does anyone know anything about this "Real" ID act that was passed sometime in the last week or so, allowing the creation of a national ID system in the US within the next three or so years?
The information I have says it was passed because it was stapled to the back of an act for security of troops in Iraq and/or funding for victims of the asia tsunamis, and no-one had the cojones to argue against any of those other acts just to stop this one going through.
More information I read also states that the bill was passed in part because it was put to the senate after many people had left for the weekend, and didn't even see it to vote on it.
Anyway, my point. On the idea of a National ID - I'm not for it, I like my (relative) anonymity. But I can see how a government would support one, and run in the correct manner it can be useful for security. But I don't agree with the underhanded way of getting something passed that they appeared to know most people would object to. It makes it seem like there's some ulterior motive that they're trying to hide, and quite frankly that's more than a bit scary.
Thoughts? Anyone heard anything more about this?