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amsterdamn

amsterdamn

Richmond, VA
October 2003

SEP 08, 2004 04:29 PM

Read: Reject the National ID Card by Congressman Ron Paul

We must take effective measures to protect ourselves from a terrorist attack. That does not mean rushing to embrace legislation that in the long run will do little to stop terrorism, but will do a great deal to undermine the very way of life we should be protecting. Just as we must not allow terrorists to threaten our lives, we must not allow government to threaten our liberties. We should reject the notion of a national identification card.

darwinsjoke

darwinsjoke

Virginia Beach, VA
July 2003

SEP 08, 2004 04:41 PM

words don't begin to describe what a bad idea this is.

pb

pb

USA
December 2003

SEP 08, 2004 04:51 PM

and while we're at it, let's let osama wipe his ass with the constitution.


wtf?



-pb mad

SirPsychoSexy

SirPsychoSexy

Ridgewood, NJ
January 2004

SEP 08, 2004 06:20 PM

um, yeah...

not getting one.

Period.

If they make it mandatory someone please point me in the nearest direction of the mole people, because I would really like to join.

jholtsnider

jholtsnider

I'm lost
February 2004

SEP 08, 2004 06:27 PM

Sorry, but I don't see what the big deal is about a national ID card.

I understand the objections to "..."larger network of screening points" inside the United States." and biometric info. Why is biometric info (fingerprints, eye scans, etc) a problem? Because once your data is stolen, you can't get new biometric data - you only get one set of eyes.

But back to the point -

ID card ≠ "a Soviet-style internal passport system"

Most of us have Driver's Licenses already. Our Social Security Numbers are de facto National ID numbers - why is everyone worked up about streamlining it and reducing the number of fake IDs? (Aside from those of you who are underage... whatever )

dvsskunk

dvsskunk

Westminster, CO
December 2003

SEP 08, 2004 06:35 PM

I agree with slimjim its not that big of a deal. My insurance company all ready knows about all the speeding tickets in all the states, so all this does is, make it so that I don't have to get a new drivers liscense every time I move.

amsterdamn

amsterdamn

Richmond, VA
October 2003

SEP 08, 2004 06:45 PM

A national ID card is inevitable. Sooner or later each of us will have one. It will have biometric data. Then you won't even need the card in this new age of technology. Iris and thumb scan machines will be everywhere. From getting your school lunch to getting on an airplane. It will be at your grocery store, public library, and anywhere you shop. It is already happening.

So what's the problem? Politicians are turncoats, killers, liars, thieves... criminals with protection of the law. Can you really trust them with Total Information Awareness? Scientia Est Potentia you know.

katharine

katharine

Canterbury, NH
August 2004

SEP 08, 2004 07:09 PM

while i'm not shitting my pants about it, i do think the idea is pretty stupid and i wouldnt be excited if everyone had to have them.. one day it will happen.

i have credit cards. big brother is already watching.

amsterdamn

amsterdamn

Richmond, VA
October 2003

SEP 08, 2004 07:17 PM



The name on the card is Winston Smith. The same name as the main character in the book 1984 by George Orwell.

From Popular Science

[Edited on Sep 08, 2004 by amsterdamn]

unfound

unfound

Norfolk, VA
July 2004

SEP 08, 2004 07:35 PM

it is just like the new US Military ID's.... in my opinion, (see that kids OPINION), it isn't a big deal... i think the 1984 talk is blown out of proportion... the only people who have something to really worry about, i think, are criminals... the US government has a lot on their plate.. and they don't have the time or even desire to follow around "joe schmo" just for fun...

i think, from the past, our government is great at reacting AFTER the fact... therefore, i believe, actions will be taken only as necissary... i don't know if i am explaining my point very well...

finally, i think the only people who could benefit from this mass information database, will be advertising... like in Minority Report...

Minerva

Minerva

HOPEFUL

Annapolis, MD

SEP 08, 2004 07:38 PM

1984 anyone??
christ.
we're already there.

Infra

Infra

La Crosse, WI
November 2003

SEP 08, 2004 07:40 PM

There was a discussion about this on NPR some weeks ago. One of the main criticisms was that the ID card would be used not only for identification, but would be used for collecting information on and tracking things like credit card purchases, library checkout records and such. It's true that this data is already collected by credit card companies (used for things like "fraud protection" and the like), but the main issue is that these databases are not currently centralized. The national ID would change that. (One of the main responses to challenges regarding this is the idea that "only criminals have anything to fear from this.")

This is not the same thing as a Social Security card or a driver's license.

Links: Justice Talking, Ben Merens shows 1 and 2.


[Edited on Sep 08, 2004 by Infra]

bruiser_boy

bruiser_boy

Lewiston, ME
September 2003

SEP 08, 2004 07:59 PM

I dont like it because I have not committed a crime, nor am I a terrorist, and as such, the US government has no reason to need to collect my biometric info, or know what I have been reading, what I have purchased or where I choose to spend my time.

shortchanged

shortchanged

Houston, TX
January 2003

SEP 08, 2004 08:11 PM

biometric data... its so they can identify the bodies when nuclear war burns us all to a crisp...

pic0

bean

bean

STAFF

Los Angeles, CA

SEP 08, 2004 08:17 PM

They can shove a national ID card in my cold, dead hands.

[Edited on Sep 08, 2004 by bean]

throatneedle

throatneedle

Baltimore, MD
September 2002

SEP 08, 2004 08:18 PM

i dont see what the fuss is all about. i think its a good idea

Infra

Infra

La Crosse, WI
November 2003

SEP 08, 2004 08:35 PM

throatneedle said:
i dont see what the fuss is all about. i think its a good idea



Here's some of the fuss.

Credit card companies can track our purchases. However, those records are not tied to our library checkouts, travel records (aside from ticket, gas and other purchases made on those cards), etc. We can choose to go with another company, use different cards for different purposes, or use services such as PrivateBuy, eGold or barter. That is not an option with a national ID. (At a minimum, such alternate actions may be flagged -- given the "only criminals need to be worried" attitude.)

Although this system could be used to identify potential criminal behavior, the definition of what is and is not criminal is fluid. Furthermore, in regard to terrorist threat assessment, this database could be used for a form of profiling. This is good in some ways, but holds the potential for abuse. There is a question as to how such a centralized database would eventually be used, and this is of special concern to political activists.

There is the question of what exactly the government needs to know. For example, do they need to know that I subscribe to SG, or that I spend most of my grocery funds on organic food? For a credit card company there may be valid reasons for tracking such data. I'm not sure that the same holds for a government agency.

The risks of having such a database compromised are much higher than those involved in having the information distributed over several different databases, especially considering that biometric information cannot be changed (easily, at least) after identity theft.

There is the question of whether or not we should be able to keep some aspects of our life private, or at least shielded from government scrutiny.

One proposal is that the ID would be necessary for purchasing things including stamps -- the idea being that the stamps themselves would be flagged so that it would be possible to track who sent the letter and to whom.

Basically, I think that the issue comes down to whether or not this system would reflect a proper balance between the rights of the individual and the responsibility of the government to protect its citizens. That debate is not over, hence the fuss.


[Edited on Sep 08, 2004 by Infra]

Quinn

Quinn

Springfield, IL
November 2002

SEP 08, 2004 08:55 PM

more reason for me to want to move away. far far away.

indigoboy

indigoboy

Chicago, IL
OLD SKOOL

SEP 09, 2004 09:03 PM

I don't buy the "what's all the fuss about?" argument.
Consider this:

"The government will make use of these powers only insofar as they are essential for carrying out vitally necessary measures...The number of cases in which an internal necessity exists for having recourse to such a law is in itself a limited one,"

Congress discussing a National ID card?
Nope.
Hitler addressing the Reichstag in 1933 before the passing of the Enabling Act - legally making the German government a dictatorship.

Phoebus

Phoebus

Italy
OLD SKOOL

SEP 10, 2004 11:25 AM

Oh, yeah, the same thing they've been trying to do with the military for the last 6-7 years. Unsuccesfully, I might add. whatever

karaokejihad

karaokejihad

Saint Paul, MN
December 2002

SEP 10, 2004 11:33 AM

amsterdamn said:
A national ID card is inevitable. Sooner or later each of us will have one. It will have biometric data. Then you won't even need the card in this new age of technology. Iris and thumb scan machines will be everywhere. From getting your school lunch to getting on an airplane. It will be at your grocery store, public library, and anywhere you shop. It is already happening.

So what's the problem? Politicians are turncoats, killers, liars, thieves... criminals with protection of the law. Can you really trust them with Total Information Awareness? Scientia Est Potentia you know.



i won't be getting one. you can count on it.

ChezGeek

ChezGeek

Port Orchard, WA
January 2004

SEP 10, 2004 11:44 AM

i wouldnt have a problem with it if the only time you were required to present one would be when you access government services or something like buying chemicals or something similar. if it would be used all the time, then id have a problem.

Cash

Cash

USA
OLD SKOOL

SEP 10, 2004 12:07 PM

That's a stupid idea. You don't need a National ID card as a regular, everyday citizen. I could see if you were going to make felons carry them.....but not everyday citizens.

hysteria_22

hysteria_22

United Kingdom
August 2004

SEP 10, 2004 12:20 PM

This topic has come up in the UK as well and I just don't understand what everyone is afraid of? I personally haven't got anything to hide from anyone and all the information which would be contained on a card is already on my passport/driving license etc. What is everyone afraid of?

I lived in Hong Kong for 7 years and carried one there and it wasn't a problem. robot

beedlebaum

beedlebaum

Brooklyn, NY
March 2003

SEP 10, 2004 12:22 PM

Most of you all carry ID that could be used for the same purposes anyway...Driver's Licenses.

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