New Security Bill Proposed

frdmfghtr writes "ZDnet is reporting on a new security bill coming up right before the election in November that is geared towards increasing security in the U.S. "One section anticipates storing the "lifetime travel history of each foreign national or United States citizen" into a database for the convenience of government officials." Senator McCain and HLS secretary Tom Ridge are mentioned specifically in the article: "McCain envisions erecting physical checkpoints, dubbed "screening points," near subways, airports, bus stations, train stations, federal buildings, telephone companies, Internet hubs and any other "critical infrastructure" facility deemed vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Secretary Tom Ridge would appear to be authorized to issue new federal IDs--with biometric identifiers--that Americans could be required to show at checkpoints." Reminds me not-so-vaguely of checkpoints in Soviet Russia where you needed papers to pass."

Comments

I wish...

[Anonymous Coward]

I wish you could mod bills -1, Flamebait.

Just so everyone knows

[BaldGhoti]

They used the phrase "in Soviet Russia" in the writeup.

That means you don't need to mention it here in the comments section.

Re:Just so everyone knows

[Young Master Ploppy]

I think that phrase is rapidly becoming obsolete.
I also think that in twenty years time, the running joke will have become "In Neo-Con America...."

Fascy - Mr. Bush's Politics Assistant

[karnat10]

It looks like you're building a fascist police state. Do you want me to...

• propose a casus belli?
• alienate your allies?
• edit civil rights?
• enable judge dependencies?
• launch election commander?
• build a concentration camp?

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Stretching it a bit..

[kagaku]

McCain envisions erecting physical checkpoints, dubbed "screening points," near subways, ... and any other "critical infrastructure" facility deemed vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

I know they have good sandwiches, but are they really a target for terrorist activity? I just can't see Osama Bin Laden blowing up my local Subway with a 747.

Open Letter from The World to The Americans

[karnat10]

Dear Americans,

we have always seen your nation and its many achievements with the highest respect. After the dreadful 9/11 attacks, we have responded with tremendous loyalty and friendship, and we were sure that one of the planet's oldest democracies would react wisely and adequately.

However, after three years, we have come to the conclusion that your government is curtailing your rights and stealing your money. While this is a domestic issue and not of our business, your government's international behaviour is a wholly different story. International treaties have been breached. Old friends have been alienated. Fear has been spreaded. In general, we think your current administration has made the world more dangerous.

After the breach of international law, we do not have much trust left in your country. So, dear Americans, if you wish to participate again in the international family of peoples, feel free to join us! Just get rid of that jackasses.

Should you choose to keep your current government however, we, The World, would feel obligated to intervene. Like it should have be done after Munich 1938, your government will then be forced from power by an international coalition of the willing, to prevent further damage.

You see, you're either with us or against us!

Yours sincerely,
The World

Re:Open Letter from The World to The Americans

[CrimsonAvenger]

Like it should have be done after Munich 1938, your government will then be forced from power by an international coalition of the willing, to prevent further damage.

I'm curious. Just how, exactly, do you propose to force our government from power?

If your chosen technique involves military force, and does NOT involve nuclear weapons, good luck!

Personally, I'd suggest econominc sanctions, since they have proved themselves time and again when used to remove governments the UN disapproves of.

Re:Open Letter from The World to The Americans

[RealProgrammer]

You speak as "The World", but are obviously an American public high school student. No one else would have such a poor grasp of the English language.

But to play your game: if you're so fond of the world, why don't you just move there!

Er, um, never mind.

Darn DC Blockbuster must be having.....

[scupper]

a marked down sale on used Minority Report DVDs. Next thing you'll see is some bill proposing funding for a project to develop precognitive abilities in drug babies.

Re:1984

[skaffen42]

What did you expect? I mean, it is a government project!