The Whole Real ID Picture is Eye Opening

by Mark Lerner (February 23, 2009) Constitutional Alliance Stop Real ID Coalition

Washington Times    The top link above strongly suggests that the soon to be Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano will push back implementation of the Real ID Act 2005 once again (or more likely ask Congress to scrap the law altogether).

Currently Real ID is scheduled to begin implementation 31 December 2009 (original planned implementation date 11 May 2008).
Incredulous is the word that comes to mind when thinking of what Secretary Napolitano is seriously considering.  EDL‘s (Enhanced Driver’s Licenses) for all states.  RFID and biometrics for each of us.  No longer a state’s driver’s license but an international driver’s license.  AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, an international organization by their own admission) and the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization-an agency of the United Nations) are celebrating today as our nation’s sovereignty, state’s rights and citizen’s right to representation are quickly becoming words that historians will speak about but our children will have no personal knowledge of.

Many states, believing Real ID would be implemented, have already adopted Real ID standards including the requirement to adopt international standards for the driver’s licenses; including international standards for the digital facial image (photo).    Some states even prior to 2005 had already moved to meet these international standards.    Real ID was never about security but rather enrollment into a global biometric identification system.   A global biometric identification system that would link a person’s body to their ability to buy and sell.   Those who referred to Real ID as a national ID did not mention that AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators), an international organization was named the backbone and hub of Real ID by the DHS in the final rules.  Those who called Real ID a national ID did not address the fact that on page 68 of the NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) is in small print, a footnote that reads “17 The relevant ICAO standard is ICAO 9303 Part 1 Vol 2, specifically ISO/IEC 19794-5 – Information technology – Biometric data interchange formats – Part 5: Face image data, which is incorporated into ICAO 9303″.  Your photo, on your state driver’s license was required to meet the adopted standard of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), an agency of the United Nations.  Yes, Real ID was about national ID but much, much, more-international ID.

SECTION 7212 of the 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act is under consideration as a possible part of the replacement for Real ID.  This section is at the center of Senator Akaka’s Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007  The following is the relevant portion of section 7212:
“(D) standards for information to be included on each
driver’s license or personal identification card, including—

(i) the person’s full legal name;
(ii) the person’s date of birth;
(iii) the person’s gender;
(iv) the person’s driver’s license or personal identification card number; . 2845—192
(v) a digital photograph of the person;
(vi) the person’s address of principal residence;
and
(vii) the person’s signature;”

Yes, the requirement for the digital facial image.  It always has been about the digital facial image and the compatibility of that image to allow for the use of facial recognition technology, a biometric just as fingerprinting is a biometric technology.  Facial Recognition is based on the mapping of your facial characteristics.

If national security was truly the issue then why are our borders still wide open?  We can give hundred’s of billions to Wall Street but can not spend eleven billion on Real ID?  That doesn’t make sense if Real ID was actually about national security.  The federal government realizes it cannot get Real ID implemented because of the widespread opposition which include constitutional issues.

The federal government is now regrouping.  Secretary Napolitano and Senator Akaka MAY decide to work together and incorporate the Secretary’s apparent love for Enhanced Driver’s Licenses into Senator Akaka’s legislation.  There could be an argument made that the Secretary can do much of what she wants without Congress’s approval.  We do no see that as likely but when it comes to the federal government never say never.

There may be a negotiated rule making process for whatever the legislation the Secretary wants.  Real ID did not have a negotiated rule making process.  Under a negotiated rule making process DHS would invite groups to the table to discuss the legislation but make no mistake about is-The final product will be representative of what DHS wants.

I wonder if those that deny a surveillance society is the goal would tell you that hundred’s of millions of dollars have been spent by DHS on digital CCTV (surveillance) cameras?  I wonder if they could explain the requirement for the standard the digital photo must meet is an international standard that was buried in a footnote of the NPRM?  Would these supporters of Real ID tell you that surveillance cameras and facial recognition technology being used simultaneously in real time is not something of the future but has been used many times since 2000?  Would they tell you that repeatedly the technology failed.  It is not the issue of whether it failed or not.  Would supporters of Real ID tell you about a DHS program called “Project Hostile Intent?  Project Hostile Intent according to the American Psychology Association is or can be real time assessment of your behavioral characteristics.  We, at the Alliance believe the use of surveillance cameras, facial recognition technology and Project Hostile intent are all threatening in the own right.  For surveillance cameras, facial recognition technology and Project Hostile Intent to all be used simultaneously in real time is nothing short of the underpinning of a police state.  Now consider adding RFID technology.  We ask that people consider when addressing the question of technology that one technology may not be offensive in and of itself but when numerous technologies are used at the same time the sum of the dangers to our liberty is greater that the individual parts or technologies alone.  Now with Secretary Napolitano’s idea of incorporating RFID chips in all driver’s licenses we see the time for debate is over-

Oklahoma phonbe nu8mbers-abuse of power by NSA, FBI and DHS.

Internet Records Bill   This bill in congress is outrageous.  Just more reason failure is not an option.  If a person uses a motel or hotel Wi-Fi system the history of web-sites visited by the guest would be stored.

One must ask, What is going on with RFID and license plates.

Do the Canadians, who now question our federal government’s use of collected information, know something we don’t?  See Border Privacy in Canada.   How secure is RFID?   Very recent article.

Abuse by the federal government- NSA worse than anyone thought

FBI ignores constitution with abuse of NSL’s

DHS, consider the Real ID Act, Project Hostile Intent and now Enhanced Driver’s License for every state.  Hundred’s of millions for CCTV surveillance cameras.

Either citizens and lawmakers will stand up, be counted, and speak out or the toothpaste will not be able to be put back in the tube.  Our sovereignty as a country, state’s rights and citizen’s rights will be lost.  There are admittedly many important issues such as immigration, the economy——–.  What is more important than protecting our liberty?  Many state legislatures will be out of session or it will be too late to introduce new legislation soon.  If the federal government takes action while state legislatures are out of session or can’t introduce bills because of filing deadlines it will be nearly impossible to halt the attack on OUR Constitution.  This is why action must be taken now!!!  We must not look back years from now and wonder why more was not done to protect our liberty.  We must use every resource available and not accept failure as an option.  In Oklahoma the line has been drawn.  Current legislation would prevent the onslaught we are facing from being successful.  Biometrics, RFID and much more would be stopped.

Mark

 

About The Author
Constitutional Alliance, Inc
Mark Lerner is a co-founder of the Constitutional Alliance, an alliance of groups and individuals who support the Mission Statement.

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