May 27, 2005

Scary beyond all reason? Yeah, that would be it.

Hey end-of-the-world alarmists, I have just the story to make the pamphlets about the end of the world come raining down. (I mean that affectionately.) Michael Chertoff, the new Director of Homeland Security, is pushing Britain to use the same ID technology as the US is planning to implement in their national ID cards (see here for my previous post on that). This would allow British and US screeners to access each others' databases to check for terrorists (always the surface goal, right?). In other words, not only will the state AND the Feds have access to our private information, but now our friends across the pond will too.

From The Independent:

The United States wants Britain's proposed identity cards to have the same microchip and technology as the ones used on American documents.

The aim of getting the same microchip is to ensure compatability in screening terrorist suspects. But it will also mean that information contained in the British cards can be accessed across the Atlantic.

Michael Chertoff, the newly appointed US Secretary for Homeland Security, has already had talks with the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, and the Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling, to discuss the matter. [...] Mr Chertoff also proposed that British citizens wishing to visit the US should consider entering a "Trusted Traveller" scheme. Under this, they would forward their details to the US embassy to be vetted. If successful, they would receive a document allowing "fast- tracking" through the US immigration system.

Oh, great. So, that means that terrorists will be able to do the same things they did before. All they need to do is recruit new members who have no official record of involvement with their organization.

Should be easy enough. How about these guys? They should be perfect for the job, seeing as they've pledged themselves to jihad. I'm sure waiting a year or two to become British subjects before they blow themselves and as many innocent people as possible to kingdom come wouldn't be viewed as a problem at all.

A pilot scheme will start within a few months between the US and the Netherlands, allowing Dutch visitors to use a Trusted Traveller card to enter the US without being subjected to further questioning or screening.

Britain is one of 27 countries whose citizens do not need visas to enter the US if they intend to stay less than 90 days. The American government has said it wants [those] 27 to issue new passports by 26 October this year containing a computer chip and a digital photograph.

Mr Chertoff said compatability and the checking system was intended purely to track down "terrorists and criminals" and the main aim was to provide a "fair and reasonable system".

Oh sure, that's the aim. But does this achieve those goals? That is the real question. That and whether or not the system works:

There have also been problems over the effectiveness of the biometric technology which is supposed to safeguard the security of the cards. There were also verification problems with 30 per cent of those whose fingerprint was taken during an enrolment trial of 10,000 volunteers.

In case you're curious, like I am, you can find the list of countries whose citizens are allowed to enter the US without a visa here.

Sorry for the lack of posting lately. Tonight is our choir concert, which I am directing. It's been a lot of work and stress to prepare for this concert. I'm hoping things will calm down next week. I sure am ready for a break.

Cross-posted at Suzanne's Blog