Comments on: Homeland Security offers details on Real ID

States have until 2013 to federalize licenses; rules don't require encryption on new IDs to protect drivers' privacy.

[Marcus Westrup]

240 million licensed drivers?

With an (estimated) population of 300 million?
Either people are getting licenses very young, driving until they are very old, or there are a lot of bogus licences out there!
The system may be broken before it ever gets started.

[BattleAce7101]

BackDoor

They backdoored this thing. We should not be forced to abide by something that was introduced so deceptively. Let's get the vote of the people on this. They knew the people would never let this pass but we are too damn busy or lazy to do anything about it. We are frogs boiling slowly.

[PzkwVIb]

Fatherland Security has spoken

Papers Please!

[PzkwVIb]

Fatherland Security has spoken

Papers Please!

[dustranmet]

They tried it by itself & it failed, they tacked it onto a military spending bill so that anyone who might vote against it again could have their patriotism & loyalty to the troops questioned. These deceptive bastards are freaking evil.

[starch_y]

And again,

Yet another disgraceful act by an amoral administration trying to pass itself off as a paragon of virtue.

The way it was stuck on a critical defense spending bill and crammed down the collective throat of the states shows how dishonorable a group this is.

Your papers, please?

[FellowConspirator]

On the bright side...

6 years is a long time to strike down the
requirement. I don't see any implementation by
2008, particularly since about 20% of states
have openly balked at the idea.

If you can't enter a federal building because
your state refuses to comply with the federal
mandate, does that mean you can't go to the
social security office, show up for federal
court, etc. What happens when the IRS audits
someone and they respond with "Sorry, I'm from
New Hampshire and we aren't allowed in federal
buildings".

The premise is stupid. The card MUST have an
address, but millions of people have no address,
other have multiple addresses, and millions are
expected to experience a change of address while
the ID is still valid. There's nothing in the
design to suggest the ID would verifiably
identify the holder, or resist forgery, so
what's the point?

[mstrhypno]

Steal This ID - PLEASE!

Unencoded bar codes, scannable and readable by ANY bar code reader, containing your home address.

HOW NICE!

So, when I am on the road, doing a show tour, or on vacation, the nice people who like to break in to houses will KNOW that I am away FROM home, WHERE home IS and, thanks to the US GIVErment, will be able to clean me and millions of other Americans out of everything they own!

And, if they put the RFID chips in there, sure as hell's a mantrap, some smart young hacker will crack THAT code and people will be able to scan these puppies from a distance and do the SAME THING, but you won't even know that you have BEEN scanned!

And, for those who say these things can't BE hacked - BULL! ANYTHING can be hacked.

Remember, the codes ON these critters have to be simple enough to be read FAST or the lines at airports and federal buildings will be even worse - and the public will NOT put up with THAT!

Americans will tolerate almost anything so long as it doesn't screw up traffic. If the code on the RFID chips on the "Real IDs" is too complex, they most certainly WILL screw up traffic!

And the public will NOT put up with that - STARTING with the Congresscritters who PASSED this nonsense and who will be among the FIRST to get caught in the mess that they will CAUSE!

[cncsnyder]

Any reason for an outcry!

You guys are insane. "RFID will certainly be hacked"...surely a comment from someone without much technical knowledge regarding this technology. RFID tags are extremely customizable to very specific specs. For example, the readability can be limited to just a couple of a feet...you guys act as if our government will be able to sit back and track us on a screen.

The second part to this is simple, ever use toll roads like the PA Turnpike? Ever hear of EZPass? So when it makes out lives easier we have no problem sending personal data across airwaves? Better yet, what about PayPass? Major credit card companies around the country now support this wireless technology that allows you to pay for items simply by tapping your card against something...no pin or signature required! No complaints there? Hmmm, no reports of people losing all their money due to hackers either!

Look, the point is simple, unless you want to live in a bubble and continue to live under a truly false sense of security we need a national system of identification. We face economic risks due to illegal immigration and even greater terror risks due to ignorrant people "afraid" of big brother. I welcome a national ID system to further secure my children's future. For all of you paranoid folks out there...Get over it already! We're not living in a secure world anymore Unless you're doing something wrong you have nothing to worry about...my experience is that those that complain the most and fear such a system are those that have something to hide; not just their privacy!

By the way, everyone who posted here has already given up their privacy to Cnet.com to about the same degree as a national ID service...your every move is tacked on their site when you register and you ARE personally identified by your registered info...Stop complaining so much!

[backstabber07]

Steal this ID

Steal this ID....

Rosemarie Torossian
11 John St.
Cohoes, NY
Social Security # 101-62-1821

[Mark Greene]

Every breath you take, Every move you make...

Ben Dover for Big Brother


And the point of Real ID is....?

Oh right, complete tracking of everyone.

Seriously, we're so asleep that this will kick in with barely a
wimper.

It goes without saying that the motivation for this goes way
beyond terrorism.

Won't it be nice when you can essentially be deactivated
remotely?

And if they keep screaming "terrorism" they'll be able to do so
without any real probable cause.

How nice.

[freemarket--2008]

No Thanks!

A license is for driving. Period.

[freemarket--2008]

No Thanks!

A license is for driving. Period.

[d21mike]

My CA Drivers License has my address on it

Since my CA Drivers License already has my address on it, is the problem with the scanning and not the address? I can understand the RFID problem but not sure about the scanning part. Or is the complaint that CA will be part of a central database. If the DL did not have the ability to SCAN or RFID would it be ok with eveybody to have a US DL instead of a CA DL. Not sure I have a problem with that. Am I missing something else. Thanks.

[Mark Greene]

It would be considerably less horrible without RFID

RFID implies auto-scanning (because auto-scanning is what
would make it acutally useful), along, obviously with networked
databases.

Already, you can track people from afar as their credit card is
swiped in nearly real-time.

With RFID you could track people as they move past any
scanning locations and in many other ways.

I'm not one for slippery slope arguments, but I do think the next
logical step is tying the RFID network to your financial
transactions, i.e., an electronic, ID-based economy. I mean why
not?

That means you could, in addition to tracking everyone, you
could, potentially, restrict their ability to purchase anything, etc.

It might be the "future" but it does seem to make it way too easy
to exercise control over people. Combine that with greater
secrecy, the War on Terror, and the recent enemy-combatant/
habeas corpus plays, and it gets very scary.

[dragonfly8610]

the point is....

that now, when you trade in your CADL for a USDL, now anyone who can hack into the federal database will have access to EVERY record you generate that has this number on it.

Also, any Tom, Dick and Harry that buys a card reader will have access to all of your personal information that is linked to your DL#, from your checking account to your medical records.

Is that what you want?

If so, buy an airplane ticket and go to Russia before the state adoption cutoff date.

Pardon me, but the local Applebee's doesnt need access to my tax records.

[itango]

I am also from California,

and I have a PO Box as my address, on my driver's license. This is my protection against someone copying my address, and later receiving a visit at home from a thief, or worse. With this new system, not only would I be forced to have my real home address on my license, but someone with scanner capabilities could remotely access my home address and other "personal" information mandated by this &^*^%$# statute. In other words, they could "read" information on the license while the license is in my wallet, and I would not be aware that someone was acquiring my personal information surreptitiously.

Why do I care? because my information is nobody's business but my own, and it is my choice to give it, or not. An identity thief could easily have all my personal information available to him, just by being near enough to "read" my card.

I personally intend to find out who proposed this stupid legislation, and hound them out of office! We need to become politically active and enraged at this loss of personal liberty - otherwise, we might as well be living in Iran.

[cielazur]

creepy

it's just plain creepy.

[protagonistic]

RE: Homeland Security offers details on Real ID

Is there anyone in this discussion that actually feels this is going
to make our country safer?

[Dalkorian]

lol!

That really was funny, thanks.

[deevie]

For real security, FENCE THE BORDERS!

For less than the cost of this idiotic plan, we could put electrified fences up all around the whole country

[dragonfly8610]

HEAR HEAR!!!!!

and with the money from the wars, we could even put a lid on lolol

[dragonfly8610]

HEAR HEAR!!!

and for the cost of the "war on terror", we could put a lid on top too lolol

[enscorp]

Waste of money..

Fences are a total waste. The ONLY way to do this is to enforce the law and hold Businesses accountable for hiring and harboring illegals, HUGE Fines AND Jail time.

Personally, I know of three businesses in my area that have Illegal Aliens on their "unofficial' payroll.. and DHS-ICE could care less. I've called them and they DON'T CARE.

VOTE 98% of CONGRESS OUT OF OFFICE in the next elections and you WILL get results IF you vote for PATRIOTS and Shun the POLITICIANS like Clinton, Kennedy, etc...(anyone esposing "for the children", "Entitlement Programs" etc....) Cut Cut Cut.....Get Rid of them...Stop putting these people on a pedestal and worshipping these people.....They are OUR MINIONS, we ARE NOT THEIR MINIONS. UNtil Americans wake up to this fact and VOTE in all election (including local - school board, sheriff, governor, mayor etc..), NOTHING will ever change.

[rorybaust]

Thats a great idea

Now thats thinking, as I see it America has totally lost the plot, and its only a matter of time that your county goes broke. So the fence idea would appeal to both Canada and Mexico to keep the illegal immigrants out of their countries when the Americans try to flee the the most tide up county in the world.

Keep screwing it up guys , it entertains me

[densbtly]

Fence the borders?

Better , build a brick wall, many feet tall, manned 24/7 with guards to keep out the invaders..... It worked SOOOO Well in China....(see history books) I've got electric fences surrounding my 6 acre compound, and even dumb cattle still often get though... fences won't help illegal immigration at all..

[fcekuahd]

Great idea!

Keep Americans out of the rest of the world. Can we make it an impermeable dome instead and keep the pollution in as well?

[NateTech]

Why fence? Just shoot.

Mobile firepower with the authority to shoot is a much more effective deterrent than a fence.

[dragonfly8610]

What happened to our civil rights?

Wait a damn minute here....doesn't it state in the Constitution that we have a right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"?

If my happiness depends on me being able to board an airplane to travel to Trinidad and Tobago for a vacation, isn't denying me access to an airplane an infringement of my civil rights?

The Bush regime has gone way to far with this "security" requirement. They can't keep illegal aliens from coming across the border any time they like, but they sure as hell can keep us from leaving!!!!!!

[enscorp]

The PEOPLE are Sheeple and are fat, lazy ba$tards

When the people of the US stop being so self centered and come together to stop this crap WE WILL ALL be able to enjoy LIBERTY once again. VOTE, VOTE, VOTE and stop letting ouyr petty differences ruin our ability to FOCUS on the REAL ISSUES. (Abortion, etc.. are NOT real issues, these are Distractions that CONGRESS LOVES because it keeps the avergae American from seeing the Truth b/c they are mired in PC, Class-warfare B.S.

YES...WAKE UP... Turn off the TV, boycott any business who doesnt share your values, read, read, read on the Internet and read between the Gobledygookspeak to discern the TRUTH. It will set us all FREE.

[divanw]

hmmm.....

... mark of the beast ???

[enscorp]

NO...

You WILL NOW when teh Mark of the Beast is being implemented.

1. AntiChrist has to come to power first
2. HE declares himself to be God
3. He institutes mark

Read the Bible and DIscern the truth. If you allow yourself to be Deceived, YOU WILL BE Deceived into receiving the MARK with open arms b/c you will be more concerned with Money and Your corporeal (flesh) livlihood than you will be with Truth and salvation.

REad, Read, Read...with an OPEN MIND, and OPEN HEART...and you WILL KNOW THE TRUTH.

[Mark Greene]

And from a non-religious standpoint...

also NO

plus, if you're really religious, it would need to be on your right
hand or forehead -- otherwise it doesn't count by definition.

So avoid any chips in your right hand or forehead and you should
be all set.

<insert eye rolling>

[divanw]

reminds me of

... mark of the beast ???

[User Name In Use]

DHS Gestapo tactics

shades of early Twentieth century Germany

[rhamann]

Protect Me from Me

I realy am getting tired of the Govt protecting me from me. I don't worry about Homeland security but the smal guy that taps into the system and uses it to make money. This could be a govt employee or anyone else that has access to thier files. We know that homeland security is not Hacker proof. No agency is Hacker proof. I think if we have to do this the government should foot all the bills for implementation not the states. I want I want paid for my information.

[scott15596]

Let?s Take A Stand Against The Real ID ACT/National ID

Let?s Take A Stand Against The Real ID ACT/National ID

For anyone that does not like the ideal of the Real ID ACT/National ID, Please take a stand against it and go to nonationalid.com and take the NoNationalID pledge: http://www.nonationalid.com/TakeAction.aspx

[lkrupp]

My take...

I kinda like the idea of being able to keep tabs on screwballs like
the posters in this thread.

[Methuss]

It only takes one State...

And RealID is toast on constitutional grounds.

Since Maine decided not to participate, the entire Act is unconstitutional because it will deny residents of Maine access to the Federal court system...and that's a no-no. By denying an entire State access to courts, the Act is now doomed.

[AsleepAtTheGravelSwitch]

Wake up

The American public needs to wake up and take a good, long look at what they are anxious to give up in the name of safety. Our safety is breeched each time someone sneaks across our borders, north or south. I stopped using air travel because of all the "restrictions". (Really I just got tired of take'n off my boots). Thanks to the US DL they will be able to track me as I cruise down my local interstate. Next thing you know they'll be taxing us for going out of state by having RFID readers at all state lines. Think of the revenue!

[enscorp]

Those who would...

As one of our forefathers once said "Those who would give up their liberty for the promise of safety -by the Govt., deserve neither dafety or Liberty)

Learn it, LIVE IT.

Out the enemy before we are torn apart with our own Constitution...This is NOT Racist...it's necessary defense for our very survival.

DEPORT, DEPORT, DEPORT... Get rid of their leadership too. Anyone who will not swear allegiance to the US Consitution and won't swear in on a HOLY BIBLE should be summarily 'removed' from office IMMEDIATELY. RECALL, RECALL, RECALL...

We know who they are, stop listing to their Social Engineering BS. It WILL KILL US ALL.

[enscorp]

Driver's Licenses are already unconstitutional

The driver's license is already unconstitutional. If I build a car on my lawn and want to drive it, I HAVE to pay the state and be 'certified' to drive it? What kind of encrouchament on my freedom is this? It's total BS and everyone knows it.

Stop complaining, get off your arse, and Vote. And PLEASE, DON'T vote for a PARTY. Vote for a Patriot no matter what "party" they may claim to be a part of. If possible vote Constitutional party. Finally - Vote small government, SECURE borders, Fair Tax (end IRS, DOE, and other bureacracies).

It's up to us to become ONE people again and get over this Social Engineering by the mass media to distract us from Truth and Reality. STOP watching TV, use the Internet and Read, Read, Read.....compare stories and DISCERN the TRUTH between teh lines.

FOLLOW THE MONEY people...it's all about control, and money. Whay destroy the middle class ? Because it's the ONLY barrier left preventing a Totalitarian Police State her ein the US and the hastening of the One World Gestapo Governement.

Americans- WAKE UP...VOTE in EVERY election especially local ones. We DO NOT HAVE the luxury of time anymore...it's now or never to save the REPUBLIC...Remember...WE ARE NOT A DEMOCRACY. WE ARE A REPUBLIC. We will lose it if we don't act. And that WILL BE the end.