TIME reports on a new Homeland Security initiative to issue special ID cards to pre-screened and bio-indentified travelers to "speed" them through airport checkpoints. While this seems a good idea at first glance, one must remember that driver's licenses were once just for licensing drivers.
Cards such as these could well become widely required. In a country that is becoming more security conscious, the uses of these cards could become ubiquitous. Entry to government buildings and public venues of all kinds is an obvious next step. Employers, credit bureaus and financial institutions might start favoring such card holders. Eventually, it could evolve into a National ID Card that rates people as to trustworthiness and invades privacy on a routine basis.
"Sorry, sir, but you only have a B-3 clearance, and you need an A-5 or better to have an account at this bank."
Not saying that this is necessarily the wrong thing to do, but it does seem to require a bit more thought and understanding than is currently in evidence.
There's an even more immediate problem with it. It would be trivial for a terrorist to obtain a trusted-traveler certification, and then start smuggling things in for less trusted accomplices. If we are going to accept that disarming passengers is the way to security (I advocate the opposite) then this is the WORST way to support that system.
Posted by: Phelps at June 14, 2004 02:43 PM