Homeland Security chief vows to move forward with ID law

[The Straight Story]

Homeland Security chief vows to move forward with ID law
By Michael Martinez National Journal's Technology Daily August 8, 2007

BOSTON -- Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told a group of state lawmakers gathered here on Wednesday that he would not retreat from a plan to impose nationwide standards for driver's licenses.

Chertoff acknowledged at the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures that it will be a challenge for states to implement the so-called REAL ID Act, especially if they are not given more federal funding to do so. But he said he would not support legislative efforts to repeal the controversial law and insisted that insecure travel documents in the hands of terrorists are dangerous.

"I frankly will not support pulling the plug on this," Chertoff said.

Several states across the country already have decided not to comply with the law. The Homeland Security Department still has not issued final compliance regulations, but it has estimated that it will cost states about $23 billion to implement the mandate.

Chertoff said one of the reasons it has taken his department so long to issue guidelines is because it has been working to address state-level concerns about cost and privacy. But when asked if he thought Congress needs to fix some of the law's weaknesses through additional legislation, Chertoff said that the country can not afford for the REAL ID plan to be derailed.

"Anyone who believes the current system is secure is kidding themselves," he said.

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=37703&dcn=todaysnews

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

I'm surprised he hasn't demanded

that every American be implanted with a microchip so he can track us all and keep us "safe".

[babylonsister]

1. He gives me the creeps, he does, as do his desired policies. nt

[Oldenuff]

3. Give me a chip?

Wouldn't I be unpatriotic if I didn't willingly accept it?After all,I might be a tearist!..Should I be expecting my political party to be revisit this issue,and just say no?

I'll bet that the chip is the ultimate goal.It might be years away,but I doubt it.

(and no,I don't wear a tinfoil hat.)

[thunder rising]

2. No it must be tattooed...right arm or forehead

Then we will know who's who. OK, maybe a microchip in the right arm or forehead.

The problem is that put 'them' on the wrong side of Revelations. Which has bothered me a bit since 'the king' has risen from the sea and is neither Jewish nor Arabian and he's imposing his will in the Babylon. Don't they even read their own book?

[MadMaddie]

4. Sooooo...while Skeletor is focused on id's for Americans

those that would actually pose harm to this country are waltzing across our borders, boating into our Ports and however other ways they are getting into the country.

Why is he not gone yet?