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Sep 9, 2009 09:25 PM | 29
Four years ago, President Bush signed a law requiring states to create driver's licenses that meet national standards, store related information in nationally connected databases and foot the bill for most of this nearly $4-billion project. Now, after the 2005 Real ID Act has alienated state governments and privacy advocates alike, the federal government is considering a replacement measure called Pass ID that it hopes will improve national security while being less expensive and less intrusive on privacy.
With half of all U.S. states having passed legislation to reject participation in Real ID and lacking a plan for implementing the program by its December 31 deadline, the Security Industry Association (SIA) and the Document Security Alliance (DSA) held an online briefing Wednesday to explain the differences between Real ID and its proposed successor. SIA is a trade association representing makers of security technology, whereas DSA was created by government agencies, private industry and academia to identify ways of improving security documents to combat fraud and terrorism.
"Pass ID is an attempt to create a program that states will actually use," Kathy Kraninger, deputy assistant secretary for policy in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Screening Coordination Office, said during the briefing. "Real ID said, 'You have to do it, but we're not really sure how you're going to do it.'" To date, Congress has appropriated only $150 million to assist states with implementation of Real ID, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
The Real ID Act passed in May 2005 tacked onto a bill to fund American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. It imposed security, authentication and issuance procedures standards for the state driver's licenses and state ID cards so that the Homeland Security Department could use these forms of identification to monitor passengers boarding airline flights and people entering federal buildings as well as nuclear power plants. Critics have said that Real ID essentially creates a national ID card and makes citizens vulnerable to identity theft and privacy invasion.
Pass ID is expected to retain many elements of Real ID, such as requiring a digital photograph, signature and machine-readable features such as a bar code, The Washington Post reported in June. States also will still need to verify applicants' identities and legal status by checking federal immigration, Social Security and State Department databases. One concern is that states, after footing the bill to set up these national ID programs, may also have to pay ongoing fees to continue accessing these databases (anywhere from five to 50 cents per transaction), Molly Ramsdell, senior policy director of the NCSL's state-federal relations division, said during Wednesday's briefing.
But Pass ID would eliminate the need for states to create new databases linked through a national data hub that would allow all states to store and cross-check such information, according to the Post. Pass ID would also cut the requirement that motor vehicle departments verify birth certificates with originating agencies.
If Pass ID becomes law, Homeland Security would have nine months to write new regulations, and states would have five years to reissue all licenses, with completion expected in 2016. (The Real ID program would have achieved this by the end of 2017.)
Image ©iStockphoto.com/ Boris Yankov
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29 Comments
Add CommentReal ID was just another way for Bush to spy on his own citizens. Now scam artists are already thinking up new ideas to utilize Pass ID for their own benefit. I hate the term "homeland". It's so Nazi. I prefer to insulate myself and my family from anything that the government or other evildoers can do to us. And anyone that thinks we are his victims can speak to my friends Mr. Colt and Mr. Ruger.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAll totalitarian governments reguire the possision of ID papers and the control of movement. first one, then the other.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBureaucrats always need greater control to carry out their mission.
When bureaucracies have total control of the civilization they are supposed to shepherd they destroy it.
Because you can't function in this system without the right papers, ID theft becomes more and more valuable.
When enough people refuse to go along the system collapses.
The underlying things to remember:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this(a) Bureaucracies tend to expand, like an endlessly growing amoeba, in breadth and scope and ability to exert control, to their fullest potential;
(b) When a bureaucracy -- whether in the form of an individual, a department, an agency, or a governmental authority of any kind -- becomes paranoid about, or acts as though it is paranoid about, "terrorists" or "terrorism", OR is simply thirsting to increase its power without limit, it typically then proceeds to find it advantageous to label EVERYONE (except itself) as potential "terrorists" or supporters of "terrorism". Thus, in this way, EVERYONE is assumed to be "guilty" or "potentially guilty" -- and thus, by that logic, EVERYONE is to be tracked, traced, scrutinized, to the fullest extent possible. ALL are presumed to be potentially, or actually, guilty of wrongdoing, especially terrorism-connected wrongdoing.
But it doesn't end there. Even the slightest hint (e.g., normally unsupportable allegation) that a person being thusly observed MAY be doing something that the scrutinizer deems, in its conceit of wisdom, to be "open to question", is interpreted by that scrutinizer to be "evidence" that the observed person is indeed "doing something wrong"; even the fact that the person is suspected is used, tautologically, as a justification for being suspected . The result: it is decided that he or she must therefore be scrutinized even more closely -- meaning that his or her privacy must be invaded yet more intrusively and by, perhaps, whatever means possible, the methods of that intrusion being justified by intentionally manufactured fear and by the philosophy that "the ends justify the means" -- a philosophy used so effectively throughout human history, even in contemporary times, to neutralize or savage one's perceived enemies and, coincidentally, to snuff out not just the basic rights but also the lives of untold millions of human beings.
But wait, there's more: As I see it, "Real ID" or "Pass ID" and other such schemes to amass and coordinate and collate and centralize and share and disseminate and ultimately, control extensive personal data brings with it not just the spectres of privacy-invasion and identity-theft and the opening of a door to the ability to destroy much or all of the vital elements of a person's life; these privacy-intrusions also open countless and very likely unclosable doors with no recourse to correcting the record through which inaccurate, or even blatantly false, information, or even infinitesimally minor and relatively meaningless information, can flow, mix, combine, to generate new couplings of pieces of information, such that the resulting flow of "dirty data can be used by the scrutinizer to justify his pre-conceived suspicion that the observed person is indeed a wrongdoer or even a terrorist .
In other words, if you, in reality, are not in any way a terrorist , the data-flow may all too easily make it appear that you ARE a terrorist and then how will you argue your way out of THAT charge?
Thus, ALL of us may all too easily and WITHOUT legitimate justification be trapped in the scrutinizers net. THAT, as I see it, is the primary problem with such concepts as Real ID or Pass ID .
Snell vere are your papers ?!.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis is America. Everyone is going to notice a totalitarian government and stop it from occurring. If that's even the government's goal with these cards. We already have plenty of stupid cards: driver's license, social security card, insurance cards, etc. etc ad nauseum. What's one more? Just stick it in your wallet. The information on that card is already out there.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe idea of national ID card is in direct opposition to what our forefathers had in mind when they wrote the constitution. If we don't defend the constitution we inherited from them then it will be taken from us.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI will never carry a national id card because, to me, it would dishonor the men who risked their lives to give us freedom.
charper140...You haven't read the Constitution. The first ruling regarding privacy was Roe v. Wade, which created the idea of privacy between a Doctor and patient. It just happened to be an abortion case. When I served we all wore a dog tag, which was a military ID card, so we could be identified when shot to pieces or blown to bits by the enemy. There was nothing dishonorable about it. The true dishonor is to the civilian who falls victim to government mishandling or civilian scams.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisi have a passport, driver's license which required birth certificate, other ID and a finger print....add to that property which is public record, add to that credit history, IRS tax information, several credit cards....what information would a National Identification would they need. i would like to see a valid ID before you are allowed to vote. remember, paranoia is treatable
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisRoll over, Diogenes, now she lifts her golden lamp to read the id card.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe already have a national ID card; it's called a Passport, and anyone who wants one can have one. We don't need to be forced to get another one.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe government has no intention of protecting America
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCannot ofend the illegals
Cannot offend the Spanish
Besides, powerfull source of new Democrats
Ignorant point of view
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSmall atempt to stop the flow of illegals, loss of American jobs, small atempt at protection america
Slows the flow of new Democrats also
What do you think your Social Secutity Card is?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat do you think your drivers licence is?
It is only a problem for illegals, all the new Democrats
The key here is how is it going to be used or can be used in the future. The social security card was never intended to be used as I.D. (it doesn't even have a picture on it.You don't have to get a pass port. You don't have to drive a car (plenty of New Yorkers don't even know how) The main goal for a national I.D. is for keeping track of it's citizens. If it can be read by machine ever loaf of bread, every gallon of gas, every book you read and every place you visit can and will be trackable, Computers don't forget. Your great, great grand daughter will know you visited a porno shop in 2009 or any one that has access to BBC - big brother computer.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou say paranoia is treatable!!! Do you apply that just to people??? A federal government may not be curable until many lives are ruined. Best not to give it the power in the first place .... what do you say???
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAre you sure that Americans would realise it? Don't forget the 'boiling frog metaphor'. "First they came for the Communists, and I didnt speak up, because I wasnt a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didnt speak up, because I wasnt a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didnt speak up, because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me." (One of many variations of a poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niem�ller (18921984))
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe probem was the illegal government rules which led to disarmament of US citizens while they travel by air. In a free country the terrorists with their puny box cutters would have been shot before they could take over the planes. Government, specifically unconstitutional government, is the problem, not the solution.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFear of 2nd Amendment removal? Go to another state and buy guns from individuals. No background checks, no registration, no big brother. Fear of Mexicans? Move to a small town where you only have to fear the white trash. Fear of flying? Read the book, dumbass. Fear of government scrutinizing? That's a little tougher. You can create trusts or other entities which own your property and pay your taxes and bills. You can drive without a license but you would have to obey the laws and avoid accidents. You can make your credit report irrelevant by actually paying cash, but then you wouldn't be able to live the American dream and live above your means.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe bottom line is that it would take a lot more effort to be out of the government eye than it would to be off the grid, which would also be necessary. And there is no way you could do it without becoming a criminal.
The only difference between democrats and republicans is that the republicans want to tell you what to THINK, while the democrats want to tell you how to FEEL. Republicans are more dangerous.
tremain2004...It is hard to disguise the fact that you are an immigrant yourself, with your lack of command of the English language and inability to spell or use the proper form of words. Or are you just stupid? Educate yourself before you try to tell others what to do. Also, see that little button on your toolbar that says "abc check"? Try it, you'll like it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisGot a licence don't you? Quit being silly. All of you. It is too late for your BS. Diehard stance. Always big talkers on the net, if dumb as a rock. You have already lost and don't even know it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou guys always miss the big picture. Spending your only time on this minor crap, and ignoring the implications of our current situation.
Any wonder we are all fixin' to get reamed, but thats okay, just continue your discussions about Obama and healthcare, about Iraq and HiN1. That should keep you dumba**es occupied for a while.
Leave it, It won't hurt.
Sleekmason...You need to change your medication or up the dose. What is your secret that we should all be so afraid of? Paranoia strikes deep, pal.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thissnotlic said:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"Sleekmason...You need to change your medication or up the dose. What is your secret that we should all be so afraid of? Paranoia strikes deep, pal."
What secret? Are you blind to reality?? Cmon! Really?
Starvation in america, elsewhere in the world. People dying of thirst in China, elsewhere in the world. Systematic genocide in Africa. Distortion and fabrication of truth in the media, ever receding energy resources. North Korea looking for third nuclear test. Etc. . . .
Or, The systematic introduction of variables to the media and other communication avenues, that implicate disaster for our near future.
While you sir, seem incapable of percieving general patterns in our daily lives, I can. Don't worry, many can. We probably don't need you. The near future looks grim.
Im sorry, but you are a fool if you don't see the implications. Stick around a while, and keep that smile. . . Pal.
Sleekmason...Sounds like you need to have some fun. At this point of my life I choose not to do anything unless it's fun. And, believe me, I've earned the right. Would you like to go kayak fishing some time? There's nothing like being alone on a high mountain lake, slaying the cutthroats, to cleanse your mind. I have insulated myself from anything any government can do to me. To my people, the 1860's seemed like the end of the world while the white eyes tried to exterminate us. There has always been starvation and bloodshed in Africa. What is different now? Most of China is desert. What's different now? There have always been leaders who want to conquer the world. What's different now? I'll tell you what's different. The internet gives crazies like you a way to tell the world of your delusions. I'm sorry that YOUR life sucks. Mine is exquisite.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNah, I won't bother. You think you are slick, but your truth is evident. At the expense of others.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy life is quite good actually. I have no fears or worries for myself. You are just a leech on societies ass, and a petty one at that. Who has the delusions? I feel sorry for you. Go home kid.
I'm a petty leech on societies ass? You can't even spell. Try that little button that says ABC Check. Not a kid. Been retired for 5 years. I am home. I Own (no mortgage) my house and all the property you can see from it in every direction. I've never inherited a penny or taken a dime from society. But I've paid millions in taxes. Everything I said in my last post is absolutely true. Look at your previous posts and honestly see if you are the description of a happy person. Have a nice day.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNot to forget that it was President Bush's administration and its legacy agencies that started all of this.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHow can the article say Real ID would have achieved its goal when it was obviously a failure and Pass ID is just Real ID being scaled back and tried again under a different name
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSorry, I was wrong to write implications about your life. Sounds like you've done well for yourself. Maybe your right about all of it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI Used to live on top of a mountain, had horses, dogs, family. Built a beautiful home. Lost all of it. Mostly because I didn't fight for it, and should have. I now have little in material wealth. It's difficult to make ends meet most of the time.
My parents need 24 hour care, and my only remaining dog, who worked with me every day for 14 years was poisoned and died in my arms a few months ago. Part of my soul died. I left the woman I love because of circumstance rather than rejection.
Like so many other Americans I'm just getting by. Prior Military service gives me some VA benefits for my medical needs, but not my daughter, whom has been in my sole custody for 14 years because her mother dissapeared.
The flip side? - My life has been filled with as much love and beauty as more than hundred men deserve. I've been all over parts of Italy and Greece, and was fortunate enough to meet good people who would spend the time to talk to a foreigner. I'm 41, and can still run 3 miles easy, and see almost as far. I have dated ballerinas and doctors, teachers, and models. My daughter has grown beautiful in too many ways to count.
Her soul shines, and she is complete. I did my job, and enjoyed the hell out of doing it. I play guitar every night, have carved my own saddle and nut from bone & stone, and my guitar sings. I have people who rely on me for comfort and protection, because they know I will not let them down no matter what. There are gunslingers and blacksmiths, surgeons and professors in my family tree. I am a mason. I work with stone. Ancient, powerful. I know myself as few do. I won't harm others because it hurts my soul to do so. I don't allow others to harm me because it hurts my reality to do so. I too am complete. Both my parents had hard lives, and both made sure I understood the meaning of perserverance, integrity, honesty, and true pride.
Because I seek truth, you will indeed find some sadness and anger in my writings. I see too much deception by those that claim to help. I will not put on blinders and ignore the pain of others.
I hope you are helping others with what sounds like incredible resources to make others happy. So few people in todays world understand your experience of kayaking/fishing.
Maybe you'd like to come play guitar on my porch sometime? I always remain teachable, Do you? My truth is evident. Faith without works is dead.
Sleekmason...You are a MAN. I was moved by your story. I see some of myself in it. And I see a deep individual in you. Only 41? But with wisdom. I also have a daughter that is the world to me. I started late...she's just 11.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisRESPECT,
Jeff