Big Brother, or Big Bother? Creeping Closer to a National ID for Everyone?

It began this week. On May 26, 2008, passengers over the age of 18 are now required to show a U.S. federal
or state-issued photo ID that contains one’s
name,
date of birth,
gender,
expiration date
“and a tamper-resistant feature.”

IDs include U.S. passport,
U.S. passport card ,
DHS “Trusted Traveler” cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST),
DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license,
Drivers Licenses
or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) that meet REAL ID benchmarks (All states are currently in compliance)

Non-US/Canadian citizens are not required to carry their passports if
they have documents issued by the U.S. government such as Permanent Resident Cards.
Those who do not should be carrying their passports while visiting the U.S.

This standardization of the list of accepted documents better aligns TSA with other DHS components, including Customs and Border Protection, and REAL ID benchmarks.

As of this week, passengers who do not present an acceptable ID may be subject to additional screening.

Um, not sure what ‘additional screening’ means exactly. But if you’ve ever had to put your little bare tootsies or your big black-socked feet in the footprints painted on the floor of security check at the terminal, or been wanded, or had all your luggage rifled through by an unsmiling person who looks far more suspcious a character than you do… then you know, that you can well miss your flight and lose a pile of money on a non-refundie ticket or miss your paying gig ten cities over, or not be able to kiss you great-great-great grandma goodbye before she expires.

In the main, this is what bewilders most: “This standardization of the list of accepted documents better aligns TSA with other DHS components, including Customs and Border Protection, and REAL ID benchmarks….” That instead of living our lives, and flying cross-country or out of the country in order to be with friends and family and work, and instead of our government giving any thought to what ‘pursuit of happiness’ actually means, not just happiness, but freedom from oppressive interferances…

well, just how on earth did we ever get put in the position of living our lives so as to better align our one precious life with whatever TSA wants, TSA gets.

I’m not talking about the people who work for TSA. As it is said, they are only following orders. But, from where I stand–er, sit– as a frequently sqwished between two huge men in the middle seat, flier… I think most air travelers have probably already made up some choice names for what the initials TSA really stand for.

For me, I think Time Squandered Awesomely, might be a good start.