Stu Bykofsky: This ID is less than a Real-ity show
IF YOU TYPE "Real ID Pennsylvania" into Google, all you see is bad-bad-bad, negative-negative-negative, horrible-horrible-horrible. It comes up scarier than typing in "transfats in food" or "smoking while driving in a sedan with your infant son on your lap." (Hel-lo Britney.)
IF YOU TYPE "Real ID Pennsylvania" into Google, all you see is bad-bad-bad, negative-negative-negative, horrible-horrible-horrible.
It comes up scarier than typing in "transfats in food" or "smoking while driving in a sedan with your infant son on your lap." (Hel-lo Britney.)
Since everybody seems to think Real ID is worse than running with scissors, who hatched it?
First things first. A public hearing was held Thursday by the state House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Philly Rep. W. Curtis Thomas.
In addition to various officials, three members of the public - about half the public attending - spoke in City Hall's ornate and echoey Council Caucus Room. Few citizens know about a plan that "will disrupt the lives of many Pennsylvanians," says Thomas.
No one spoke in favor of Real ID, which is less popular than a rabid bat. (The Department of Homeland Security was represented by printed testimony from an administrator.)
Real ID is supposed to be a tamper-proof driver's license ensuring a person's identity and status ("citizen" or something else). It will require all Americans to come in with a birth certificate, answer questions and sit for a photo. All info goes into a data bank.
Approved in 2005, Real ID was folded (some say hidden) in a defense spending bill. With no public hearings, it sailed through Congress. Our alert watchdogs appear to have been licking their privates at the time.
Since wrongfully-issued drivers' licenses were used as ID by several of the 9/11 murderers, the 9/11 Commission recommended developing more secure licenses. DHS says it's acting on that recommendation, but the ACLU's Larry Frankel says the commission did not specify this system.
Even before 9/11, says Jeremy Meadows of the National Conference of State Legislators, states were moving toward improved security for driver's licenses.
A better license is needed, but is Real ID it?
The only "official purpose" of Real ID, the DHS Web site says, is for "accessing a federal facility, boarding federally-regulated aircraft, and entering nuclear power plants."
Entering nuclear power plants? Homer Simpson will get Real ID? Shouldn't security be more than a piece of plastic?
At airports, Real ID passengers will still be marched through metal detectors (and if you don't have Real ID, a passport will still get you aboard).
As for federal buildings - no jury duty if you don't have Real ID?
In the Age of Terror, the tectonic plates of Rights and Safety are always opposed.
Real ID has magically fused opposition from across the spectrum - from rights-loving liberals and liberty-loving conservatives. Six states have pledged to ignore it. Pennsylvania's on the fence.
Most objections come down to cost and constitution.
The government has mandated a plan that will cost billions, and kicks most costs to the states. Total cost of implementation is estimated as $3.9 billion (knocked down from an original $14.6 billion). I don't trust those numbers, but wouldn't resist spending billions for a great system. This ain't that.
The Constitution crowd says Real ID violates privacy and smells like Big Brother. Few Americans have much trust left in George W. Bush and his Stepford appointees.
I saved the best for last.
Even if all goes smoothly with Real ID, moving at the speed of a manatee in molasses, it won't be fully implemented until 2017. Since we're going to be searched anyway - a necessary precaution - why do we need this Real ID? Had Congress been doing its job, Real ID Real-ly wouldn't have gotten this far. *
E-mail stubyko@phillynews.com or call 215-854-5977. For recent columns: