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National Security Advisor Fields Questions on Real ID
Hailey Filipelli Last week federal legislation made its way successfully through the Senate authorizing $82 billion in war-related spending. Attached as an amendment to that legislation because it was expected to pass without any trouble was the Real ID Act which effectively nationalizes personal identification. Under the Real ID Act, acceptable identification to be used for official Federal purposes (such as private transactions between an individual and a financial institution, an individual and his healthcare provider, or an individual and a private air carrier) would have to meet certain standards. Such standards include the identified's full name, date of birth, gender, license number, a digital photograph, address, signature, physical security features and machine readable technology. A small matrix of compartments would be included on the identification card containing such biological identifiers as a swab sample from inside the cheek, a drop of blood, urine and feces samples, and small wad of gum chewed by the card holder containing at least one complete tooth imprint. States would not be required to participate, but the residents of non-participating states would find their ability to make everyday transactions severely limited. Additionally, states would be responsible for the cost of implementing such standards. National security advisor Ricardo Cabeza told reporters at a press conference last week that some of the 9/11 hijackers were later found to have been using falsified driver’s licenses. "This would not be a problem with the Real ID Act in place because everyone knows that the federal government has superpowers that state governments do not have. Although I am not at liberty to divulge specifics for national security reasons, I can assure you all that we can ensure that nationalized identification is immune to forgery." When asked about the risk of government officials issuing fraudulent documents for profit as happened with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division resulting in 34 arrests relating to over a hundred fraudulent documents, Cabeza told reporters, "That could not happen with Real ID. Again, I am not able to disclose the specifics at this time, but trust me on this one." Cabeza was also quizzed about the effect of the requirement that documents include a "common machine-readable technology". Reporters asked how making the extensive information contained on the card easily readable by businesses who do not have a need to know such information and can then resell it without the cardholders consent or even knowledge would impact the potential for identity theft. "Look, I keep telling you, it's all good with Real ID. Everything will be great. I'm just not allowed to give you too many details because it's all a matter of national security," Cabeza insisted. "The public needs to comply with this new program and above all trust the federal government with the necessary powers it is granting itself to prevent any future 9/11's."
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