Cold warriors used to critique the Soviet Union for its internal passports. "Real ID" is the American security state answer to this. In my interview with Maine Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Shenna Bellows last month, she describes the uses of the "swipe" card for tracking people's movements as we go "to the doctor's office, to Wal Mart, or for a variety of activities."
I don't know about you, but I don't want Feds to be to print out a history of my trips to the store or the doctor.
This week, there was a supposed deadline from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on states applying for extensions on compliance with Real ID. Maine more than any other state has been reluctant to cooperate with this very-poorly thought out federal boondoggle.
It's suggested in the article cited that DHS has punted. Good for now, but I'd prefer Governor Baldacci just tell DHS to go screw permanently.
Posted by The Owl at 00:37. Filed under: Police state
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