Indiana the First State to Go for Real ID?
January 24, 2006
11:35 a.m., MT

Although the REAL ID Act apparently has an implementation deadline of sometime in 2008, Indiana's identocrats seem to be champing at the bit. According to a recent news story, the state implemented new driver's license rules in November:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles officials say they implemented state rules to comply with the federal Real ID Act passed last year by Congress, which will take effect in 2008. The law demands that states increase the documentation they require for such things as driver's licenses to improve homeland security.

How nice of the bureaucrats to enslave Indianans so early! Apparently, in Indiana much of the talk surrounding RID focuses on illegal immigration; the new driver's license requirements will put a hardship on people who don't have the proper papers for crossing imaginary lines. One politician, recognizing this, has proposed an interesting workaround:

Rep. John Aguilera, D-East Chicago, has introduced a measure, House Bill 1357, that would require the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to issue a driver's certificate to an individual who is qualified to drive a vehicle but cannot provide proof of residency status. Two states have passed such a measure, Tennessee and Utah.

Seems a sensible solution, no? Hard to say if the governor agrees. Trapped between the iron clutches of fed diktats and economic reality, this (non)news item came the day after the one quoted above was published -- Daniels: Changes may be needed in IDs for drivers:

Gov. Mitch Daniels said Friday that changes may be needed to help foreigners working here to obtain driver's licenses.

New identification standards, increasing the documentation needed to obtain a driver's license, were imposed by the state last year to comply with the federal Real ID Act, which goes into effect in 2008.

"This is a very tough issue," he said. "I do believe at some point we need to make it possible for those who are working here to insure their cars and to prove they are capable of driving those cars, as opposed to operating without either of those things being taken care of."

But, he said, that needs to be balanced with homeland security commitments. Concern over the ease with which potential terrorists might obtain identification papers led to the federal changes.

What a lot of saying nothing! As an aside, I wonder if those "driver's certificate" laws cover someone who doesn't want to provide proof of residency. Anybody in Tennessee or Utah know what those states' laws say?

I'm sure Indiana isn't the only state where RID implementation is going ahead full steam. Thanks to The Root Beer Man for pointing those news articles out to me. While the REAL ID Rebellion site is still under reconstruction, y'all can send me items for posting here (my RID Rebellion eddress works fine). Time's a tickin' on this issue, folks.

Sunni

Comments: 5 people have contributed to the conversation

On Tuesday, January 24th, at approximately 12:03 p.m. Mountain time, Erin said:

http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,182548,00.html

Apparently, Virginia is moving full steam ahead, too.

On Thursday, January 26th, at approximately 7:38 p.m. Mountain time, WELLHELL said:

What is the big hurry in Indiana???

On Friday, January 27th, at approximately 6:15 a.m. Mountain time, Herself said:

We're Hoosiers; we simply must be sorted, numbered and stamped on.

I don't gt it. Some of it is Indiana's burning need to be more Republican than anywhere else. That used to a good thing, but as it is a blind loyalty, it has, of course, caused trouble.

There's some question as to if I'm going to be able to keep my DL under the new rules, as I cannot actually prove I'm me. Little glitch in various records kept by various agencies. Not sure what happens if I am an unperson -- they may send a fellow round to throttle me!

If the DL issue looks bad, check out what the State's doing for registered voters: photo ID now required.

Nice.

Ijits!

--Herself (Or possibly someone else. I'd better go check my ID)

On Friday, January 27th, at approximately 6:16 a.m. Mountain time, Herself said:

Sure enough, I'm not me. I'm a 12-year old Irish Setter named "Mildred!" Bummer. Woof!

--Mildred

On Wednesday, February 1st, at approximately 10:02 p.m. Mountain time, MeMe said:

If you think having to show a photo ID is a big pain, wait till you have to show your *REAL ID CARD* before you will even be allowed to vote at all!

This is what Jimmy Carter and James Baker are "recommending" (insisting upon), in their "advisory" roles to our Friendly Gestapos at the Helm.

It's one thing to have to fork over a Sams Club Member Card showing your ugly mug, made uglier by white and black camera and shadows, but when you have to fork over YOUR ENTIRE LIFE HISTORY, ALL LIFE-DATA, AND PROBABLY EVEN HAVE YOUR MOUTH SWABBED SO THEY CAN DO A DNA PROFILE AND IMBED IT IN YOUR REAL ID CARD, *then* we'll all have plenty to b*tch about.

Too bad so few people are informed enough about the horrors of the REAL ID ACT to be mouthing off against it, and demanding its REPEAL!

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