Thread: CNN: Americans May Need Passport To Have Picnic in a Park

CNN: Americans May Need Passport To Have Picnic in a Park

Eliott C. McLaughlin
CNN
Thursday, August 16, 2007

(CNN) -- Americans may need passports to board domestic flights or to picnic in a national park next year if they live in one of the states defying the federal Real ID Act.

The act, signed in 2005 as part of an emergency military spending and tsunami relief bill, aims to weave driver's licenses and state ID cards into a sort of national identification system by May 2008. The law sets baseline criteria for how driver's licenses will be issued and what information they must contain.

The Department of Homeland Security insists Real ID is an essential weapon in the war on terror, but privacy and civil liberties watchdogs are calling the initiative an overly intrusive measure that smacks of Big Brother.

More than half the nation's state legislatures have passed symbolic legislation denouncing the plan, and some have penned bills expressly forbidding compliance.

Several states have begun making arrangements for the new requirements -- four have passed legislation applauding the measure -- but even they may have trouble meeting the act's deadline.

The cards would be mandatory for all "federal purposes," which include boarding an airplane or walking into a federal building, nuclear facility or national park, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told the National Conference of State Legislatures last week. Citizens in states that don't comply with the new rules will have to use passports for federal purposes.

"For terrorists, travel documents are like weapons," Chertoff said. "We do have a right and an obligation to see that those licenses reflect the identity of the person who's presenting it."

Chertoff said the Real ID program is essential to national security because there are presently 8,000 types of identification accepted to enter the United States.

"It is simply unreasonable to expect our border inspectors to be able to detect forgeries on documents that range from baptismal certificates from small towns in Texas to cards that purport to reflect citizenship privileges in a province somewhere in Canada," he said.

Chertoff attended the conference in Boston, Massachusetts, in part to allay states' concerns, but he had few concrete answers on funding.

The Department of Homeland Security, which estimates state and federal costs could reach $23.1 billion over 10 years, is looking for ways to lessen the burden on states, he said. On the recent congressional front, however, Chertoff could point only to an amendment killed in the Senate last month that would've provided $300 million for the program.

"There's going to be an irreducible expense that falls on you, and that's part of the shared responsibility," Chertoff told the state legislators.

Bill Walsh, senior legal fellow for the Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based conservative think tank that supports the Real ID Act, said states shouldn't be pushing for more federal dollars because, ultimately, that will mean more federal oversight -- and many complaints about cost coincide with complaints about the federal government overstepping its bounds.

"They are only being asked to do what they should've already done to protect their citizens," Walsh said, blaming arcane software and policies at state motor vehicle departments for what he called "a tremendous trafficking in state driver's licenses."

The NCSL is calling Real ID an "unfunded mandate" that could cost states up to $14 billion over the next decade, but for which only $40 million has been federally approved. The group is demanding Congress pony up $1 billion for startup costs by year's end or scrap the proposal altogether.

Everyone must visit DMV by 2013

The Real ID Act repealed a provision in the 9/11 Commission Implementation Act calling for state and federal officials to examine security standards for driver's licenses.

It called instead for states to begin issuing new federal licenses, lasting no longer than eight years, by May 11, 2008, unless they are granted an extension.

It also requires all 245 million license and state ID holders to visit their local departments of motor vehicles and apply for a Real ID by 2013. Applicants must bring a photo ID, birth certificate, proof of Social Security number and proof of residence, and states must maintain and protect massive databases housing the information.

NCSL spokesman Bill Wyatt said the requirements are "almost physically impossible." States will have to build new facilities, secure those facilities and shell out for additional equipment and personnel.

Those costs are going to fall back on the American taxpayer, he said. It might be in the form of a new transportation, motor vehicle or gasoline tax. Or you might find it tacked on to your next state tax bill. In Texas, Wyatt said, one official told him that without federal funding, the Longhorn State might have to charge its citizens more than $100 for a license.

"We kind of feel like the way they went about this is backwards," Wyatt said, explaining that states would have appreciated more input into the process. "Each state has its own unique challenges and these are best addressed at state levels. A one-size-fits-all approach to driver's licenses doesn't necessarily work."

Many states have revolted. The governors of Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Washington have signed bills refusing to comply with the act. Six others have passed bills and/or resolutions expressing opposition, and 15 have similar legislation pending.

Though the NCSL says most states' opposition stems from the lack of funding, some states cited other reasons for resisting the initiative.

New Hampshire passed a House bill opposing the program and calling Real ID "contrary and repugnant" to the state and federal constitutions. A Colorado House resolution dismissed Real ID by expressing support for the war on terror but "not at the expense of essential civil rights and liberties of citizens of this country."

Privacy concerns raised

Colorado and New Hampshire lawmakers are not alone. Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and Electronic Frontier Foundation say the IDs and supporting databases -- which Chertoff said would eventually be federally interconnected -- will infringe on privacy.

EFF says on its Web site that the information in the databases will lay the groundwork for "a wide range of surveillance activities" by government and businesses that "will be able to easily read your private information" because of the bar code required on each card.

The databases will provide a one-stop shop for identity thieves, adds the ACLU on its Web site, and the U.S. "surveillance society" and private sector will have access to the system "for the routine tracking, monitoring and regulation of individuals' movements and activities."

The civil liberties watchdog dubs the IDs "internal passports" and claims it wouldn't be long before office buildings, gas stations, toll booths, subways and buses begin accessing the system.

But Chertoff told legislators last week that DHS has no intention of creating a federal database, and Walsh, of the Heritage Foundation, said the ACLU's allegations are disingenuous.

States will be permitted to share data only when validating someone's identity, Walsh said.

"The federal government wouldn't have any greater access to driver's license information than it does today," Walsh said.

States have the right to refuse to comply with the program, he said, and they also have the right to continue issuing IDs and driver's licenses that don't meet Real ID requirements.

But, Walsh said, "any state that's refusing to implement this key recommendation by the 9/11 Commission, and whose state driver's licenses are as a result used in another terrorist attack, should be held responsible."

State reaction to Real ID has not been all negative. Four states have passed bills or resolutions expressing approval for the program, and 13 states have similar legislation pending (Several states have pending pieces of legislation both applauding and opposing Real ID).

Chertoff said there would be repercussions for states choosing not to comply.

"This is not a mandate," Chertoff said. "A state doesn't have to do this, but if the state doesn't have -- at the end of the day, at the end of the deadline -- Real ID-compliant licenses then the state cannot expect that those licenses will be accepted for federal purposes."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/16/ ... index.html
http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/au ... picnic.htm

I don't understand the hoopla over the Real ID act. It's simply standards that all states will go by rather than have a mixture of weak standards between states. As far as intrustion, the Feds already know everything they need to know about you. The IRS and SS and other agencies have all kind of information, so if you are ever going to weed out illegals and terrorists, you got to have something foolproof. Numbers USA supports this and it was stated that this was NOT a federal ID, rather federal standards so everybody is operating off the same page.

Gofer, read this thread, try to read it all:

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?nam...wtopic&t=76768

Originally Posted by gofer

I don't understand the hoopla over the Real ID act. It's simply standards that all states will go by rather than have a mixture of weak standards between states. As far as intrustion, the Feds already know everything they need to know about you. The IRS and SS and other agencies have all kind of information, so if you are ever going to weed out illegals and terrorists, you got to have something foolproof. Numbers USA supports this and it was stated that this was NOT a federal ID, rather federal standards so everybody is operating off the same page.

I agree wth Gofer. Somebody needs to give me a very good reason why the Real I.D. is a bad thing.

National Park. Aren't they getting alittle carried away here!



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americangirl, read the thread by JP (link in my earlier post here). It has everything to do with wittling away your privacy which is the foundation of freeeeeeeeeeeeeedom!! Several states have either legislation that is pending or has been signed stating that they will not participate in the REAL ID conversion..for whatever reasons. There are BIG concerns about privacy and how the RFID chip will constantly broadcast your info to anyone who can recieve it. Read on, I'm telling you!

How about having an immigration ID that immigrants need to enter the United States? One ID if they don't have it they can't get into the country, Period!
Are systems here in our country have been working fine! The some states need to work on there licenses but its a state issue and not a federal issue! The federal government IMHO needs to stay out of this one!!!

http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/laws/gc_1172767635686.shtm

What is the Machine Readable Technology specified in the NPRM?

The regulations propose the use of the 2-D barcode already used by 46 jurisdictions (45 States and the District of Columbia). DHS leans towards encrypting the data on the barcode as a privacy protection and requests comments on how to proceed given operational considerations.


Will REAL ID driver’s licenses include RFID cards?

The NPRM does not specify the use of RFID cards as a minimum standard. States may independently choose to implement an RFID solution, in addition to the standard 2-D barcode, to meet their constituent’s needs.

LOL.

<quote>
The cards would be mandatory for all "federal purposes," which include boarding an airplane or walking into a federal building, nuclear facility or national park, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told the National Conference of State Legislatures last week. Citizens in states that don't comply with the new rules will have to use passports for federal purposes.

"For terrorists, travel documents are like weapons," Chertoff said. "We do have a right and an obligation to see that those licenses reflect the identity of the person who's presenting it."
</quote>

What BS. How does the RealID stop terrorists? Considering how much dope (meth, marijuana etc.) and how many illegals come across our Southern border daily what's to stop terrorists just coming here illegally, getting forged documents and doing whatever they want? How is a RealID card going to stop them?

I can just see Osama Bin Laden now: "We better just give up, the US is requiring a RealID card now."

It's ridiculous to suggest that a thin piece of plastic will stop terrorism.

Originally Posted by SOSADFORUS

National Park. Aren't they getting alittle carried away here!

LOOK WHO "OWNS" OUR NATIONAL PARKS.
http://www.tetrahedron.org/articles/new ... Parks.html

OUR NATIONAL PARKS NOW BELONG TO UNITED NATIONS

Across this great land, our national parks, wildlands, forests, and lakes are being turned over to UN control. Joseph Urso, Jr., a friend of the ministry who hails from Knoxville, Tennessee, recently sent me a photograph of the entrance sign of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Notice the telling phrase on the sign: "AN INTERNATIONAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE."

This means that, under the United Nations Biodiversity Treaty, a precious resource_owned by American citizens for over 200 years_has been turned over to the UN's bureaucrats for control. Yes, you and I will continue to pay taxes for the maintenance and upkeep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But we no longer own it. Now, the UN has ultimate jurisdiction. This alone is startling evidence that the once independent nation-state known as the United States of America is going out with a whimper and not a bang. Our sovereignty is coming to an end.

As a consequence, across the U.S.A., our parks and wilderness areas are slowly being closed to the public. Roads inside the parks are being grazed over. Mountain passes and hiking paths are being blockaded. "No fishing," "No hunting," "No trespassing" signs are being erected everywhere on public lands. Entrance fees are being jacked up 100%, even 500% higher, to keep American families out of their own lands.

The UN and its elitist masters don't want you on their property! And in case you do "trespass" and enter forbidden areas of these pristine UN lands, you might just be shot. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agents and park personnel are now taught to love nature's Mother Earth and to despise and loathe human beings. They are being given firearms and instructed to use them. Meanwhile, foreign immigrants from India, China, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Russia and other nations are being recruited for this national park service police duty because, unlike U.S. nationals, non-English speaking foreigners will not hesitate to carry out orders and shoot American citizen= "intruders."

But even if you are not shot or arrested, there is still a possibility of being bitten_or eaten! As my friend, Joseph Urso, Jr., points out, the feds have been reintroducing vicious wolves into Yellowstone National Park and into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The idea is to put the lives of park visitors in jeopardy and to frighten tourists away.

Environmental groups, of course, are overjoyed that the UN is taking over our parks and forests and putting the screws to the people. Such organizations as the Nature Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation are funded and controlled by Rockefeller monied interests. The leaders of these organizations hate human beings and believe that the takeover of our parklands and heritage sites by the UN is the paying of homage to their pagan nature goddess, "Mother Earth."

In protest, I have registered a complaint with U.S. Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina. Helms, a Republican, is Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. As Chairman, he has the power to put a stop to all this nonsense. What's more, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies partly inside Helm's home state, North Caro-lina, as well as in neighboring= Tennessee.

My answer from Senator Helms came in March when he and his committee warmly embraced and voted for President Clinton's choice, Madeleine Albright, to be-come Secretary of State. Albright, a Marxist, is an avid supporter of the UN's Biodiversity Treaty. She endorses the unconstitutional giving away of American sovereignty over its lands and natural resources.

Some may be surprised that Jesse Helms would commit this act of high treason. They are puzzled that the Senator, who is so warmly supported by the Christian Coalition and other conservative groups, would conspire with Bill Clinton, the UN, and the Illuminati elite to give away our birthright and heritage to New World Order forces.

Ever since Jesse Helms was elevated to the 33=F8 of Freemasonry, bowing his knee before the black stone altar of the false gods Jahbulon, Mahabone, and Abaddon, he has digressed in his strong support of American sovereignty. As happens with all Masons, the cultic, ritual brings on possession of the celebrant by devils.

In fact, Jesse Helms can't help himself. Like Judas Iscariot, he is taken captive by alien forces. Helms has been neutral-ized, and our historic, great nation is laid low before vile, global forces intent on America's unconditional surrender to the Illuminati's antichrist, United Nations establishment.

Texe Marrs and Living Truth Ministries oppose violence. But when the American populace or at least the few who still care and are not dumbed-down_realize that this country's national treasures and heritage have been given away for a mess of globalist porridge, intense anger will result.

No doubt, the elite are preparing for just such an eventuality. If Joe and Jane American discover that Yellowstone, Big Bend, Sequoia, Rocky Mountain, Great Smoky, Yosemite, and the other national parks and monuments are under UN jurisdiction and control, the government fully expects a counter-revolutionary explosion.

That's why the UN is bringing in foreign troops and training them at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and other military bases to assault U.S.A. cities and towns. That's why the Universal Beast 666 Computer Control System, Project L.U.C.I.D., is being implemented. It is why the White House is making a priority the passage by Congress of totalitarian, gun control legislation and supposed "anti-terrorist" acts. It is why our Armed Forces are now earnestly training to quell a domestic insurrection by militias and patriots. The elite know what's just ahead. They are preparing to deal with the resisters and dissidents in other words, the old-fashioned, solid American patriots and Christians who still refuse to bow to the gods of the New World Order.