Little Brother Forum

Anne Broache/Cnet.org/September 10, 2007

WASHINGTON–A controversial plan for national identification cards known as Real ID drew another ringing endorsement from top Bush administration officials on Monday, even as senators continued to question the law’s privacy implications and cost.

Cheerleading for the mandate was led by the retiring Sen. John Warner (R-Va.), who called a nationalized ID card a top priority. He asked the four Bush administration officials present to divulge whether they supported the idea, which was recommended by the 9/11 Commission but has sparked rebellion from numerous states and civil liberties advocates concerned about its cost and potential for abuse.

One by one, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, FBI Director Robert Mueller, Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell and National Counterterrorism Center Director John Redd–said they fully endorsed the idea. Each ranked it as a high priority.

Draft regulations issued earlier this year by the Department of Homeland Security dictate that starting May 11, 2008, residents of all states must begin presenting compliant electronic cards in order to board airplanes or enter federal buildings–that is, unless their respective states file for a reprieve starting October 1 of this year. (more…)

By Jim Kouri, CPP/September 22, 2007
 
(This article is based on a report received by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.)
 
While the battle over providing illegal aliens with driver’s licenses rages in state capitals and Washington, D.C., North Carolina created the first “North American Union” driver’s license, complete with a hologram of the North American continent on the licenses.
 
The hologram is a facsimile of the map of North America that is used as the background for the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America logo on the SPP website.
 
Marge Howell, spokeswoman for the North Carolina DMV, told the press that the state was embedding a hologram of North America on the back of their new driver’s licenses. “It’s a security element that eventually will be on the back of every driver’s license in North America,” Howell said.
 
Howell explained the hologram of the North American continent was the creation of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that, according to the group’s website, “develops model programs in motor vehicle administration, law enforcement and highway safety.”
 
Founded in 1933, AAMVA represents state and provincial officials in the United States and Canada who administer and enforce motor vehicle laws. The government of Mexico is also a member, though the individual Mexican states have yet to join.
 
According to the group’s website, AAMVA’s programs are designed “to encourage uniformity and reciprocity among the states and provinces.” (more…)

From California State University (Chico):

Political Advocacy Groups

Why should any of us be interested in advocacy groups? Simply because political advocacy groups — also known as pressure groups, interest groups or lobbyists — play a significant role in the political system of the United States.

Such groups can shape elections by verbally endorsing candidates or contributing financially to campaigns with Political Action Committee (PAC) money. Once candidates are elected to office, members of these organizations commonly contact them to encourage support or opposition to legislation. Furthermore, a handful of prominent groups regularly rate the performance of politicians. Understanding the actions and endorsements by advocacy groups helps you to understand the performance and political ideology of your own representative.

(more…)