Guardian (UK) Newsblog: A British take on the US "Real ID" Bill

[Nothing Without Hope]

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/world_news/2005/05/10/identity_crisis.html
Simon Jeffery at May 10, 2005 09:46 AM

Identity crisis

In Britain, we know a few things about the ill thought out mania certain politicians have for identity cards.

Both the Labour government and its Tory predecessor tried at various stages to introduce them, co-opting the issue of the day into their arguments in favour of an ID card scheme. John Major thought the cards could help fight crime, while successive home secretaries in the Blair government have insisted they are necessary to prevent misuse of the NHS and curtail international terrorism.

The lack of a coherent and convincing case means the arguments usually turn into a kind of ID-cards-stop-bad-people mush. If the latest British scheme gets off the ground, the proposed 2012 introduction date would give al-Qaida a seven-year window in which to attack. The anti-terrorism argument is either not believed by the people drawing up the legislation, or it’s nonsense.

Things look a little less complicated in Washington, where supporters of national ID cards have solved the problems posed by debate, arguments and a case by packaging up the legislation with a bill on an entirely different matter. Today, senators get to vote on a bill both providing more funds for US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and establishing a de facto national identity scheme.

(snip)

[Nothing Without Hope]

1. kick - this article really puts it in plain terms. n/t