Homeland Security Director Defends Real ID

An anonymous reader writes "Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff is defending the upcoming rollout of the national ID card as vital for the nation's security. Chertoff reminded reporters of the importance of the initiative after this week's uncovering of an ID-forging ring. The Real ID Act of May 2005 dictates the uses and requirements for the documentation, which by 2008 may be required for everything from travel to banking. Just the same, the HSD has yet to dictate how exactly the cards will work. " From the article: "The Homeland Security chief, who is nearing his two-year mark with the agency, was likely trying to quell rampant skepticism about the IDs voiced by some privacy advocates, immigrants and other groups. Some have said they fear that the IDs are a stepping stone to a veritable police state, complete with ready surveillance of individuals. Some have argued that the idea of creating more tamperproof IDs is only a marginally better way to screen out those intent on committing terrorist acts because ID cards don't even begin to tackle a core crime prevention challenge: determining a person's unspoken intentions. "

Comments

Re:SSN

[whoisjoe]

(I almost refused but I really really wanted to see Weekend At Bernie's II.)

...nah, too easy

Re:Oh no, think about our children!

[ArcherB]

I'm so tired of that "Show me your papers" bullshit. So what, show your friggin papers then. Having to prove who you are.. or more to the point, who you are NOT does not mean that we are Communist (BTW, I thought Communism was a good thing here on /. But I digress)

OK, let's say your name is Osama BinLaden. You leave the house and decide to leave your ID at home. A police man stops you because you look like a well known terrorist and asks for you ID. You say, "I don't have it. My name is Bosama O'Laden. I'm Irish." The police man says, "OK then. Have a good day! If see someone named Osama, let us know."

OK, maybe you're not Osama. Maybe you there is an amber alert out on you or you are some well known suspect that should be arrested on sight. If you are a wanted criminal, all you have to do is leave you ID at home and you're good to go.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand what rights are violated by having to show ID. There is no law that forbids you from saying, "Here is my ID, PIG! Now shove it up your bacon laden ass!" Thats free speech and it is guaranteed under the Constitution. However, there is no right to anonymity in the Constitution. If you can show it to me, carry the Constitution rather than your ID and show it instead.