REAL ID REFRESHER...or maybe introduction for some.
This is longer than I intended it to be but hopefully it will be informative. Please also forward this information along.
As most of you know, last year we began a campaign here in Kentucky against REAL ID, but not just against some "identification system" but everything REAL ID represents. In the process we also began the fight for our Commonwealth's Sovereignty. So for those of you who don't know or need a little refresher here is what happened.
We eventually got 2 resolutions one in the House (HJR 133, primary sponsor: Dottie Sims (D)) and one in the Senate (SJR 73, primary sponsor: Gary Tapp (R).) HJR 133 passed the House 100-0. However, SJR 73 did not make it out of the Senate Transportation Committee.
As a result of this campaign we were also able to get a Sovereignty Resolution introduced, in fact two of them. Both were in the House; HCR 168 sponsored by John Will Stacey (D), the other HCR 172 sponsored by David Floyd (R). However, neither of these made it out of the Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.
Our intent was to get 5 Bills regarding REAL ID introduced as well as the Sovereignty Resolution introduced, which was authored by Oklahoma State House Representative Charles Key (R). This is legislation he has been working on for quite sometime, well before Obama got in office. The other 5 Bills all dealt with other aspects of REAL ID, that are an infringement upon our civil liberties, state sovereignty as well as national sovereignty. These bills were provided by the Constitutional Alliance, they also have more bills however this was the amount we felt confident we could get done here in Kentucky.
Unfortunately as you can see that did not happen. However, the writing process took some time as to be expected with an issue this complex and so we did not have much time to act as this effort really only began in Kentucky in September of last year. So considering what was done in the short amount of time I consider last years efforts very worthwhile and will make things a whole lot easier in the upcoming 2010 session (let's hope there are no more "Special Sessions" between now an then.)
Here is a little bit more of a refresher on REAL ID as some may have forgotten all the nuances or we may have some new people in the Liberty Movement we can share this information with. I am going to just give the basics as I don't want this to get too drawn out. For those who want more in depth information on this topic I suggest you visit www.stoprealidcoalition.com and peruse through their website and also download there action packet.
So here are the basics:
1) It violates the 1st Amendment - Freedom of Religion. This to many Christians is considered the next step toward the Mark of the Beast. Also the Amish or Mennonites are opposed to having their picture taken
2) It violates the 4th Amendment - Any and all information at DHS Discretion can be put on these cards either in the magnetic strip or eventually an RFID chip, normally the government needs a warrant for most of the information they want included on this. In addition they are collecting Biometric samples on citizens to create a Biometric Database. The method of choice is Facial Recognition through CCTV or surveillance cameras. This of course is what furthers the fear of the "Mark" as a mathematical algorithm is created based on your facial features to give you a number. Of course this is highly sensitive and the technology is no where near good enough because a beard, a smile or glasses can throw it off ultimately leading to mistaken identity by law enforcement.
3) It violates the 10th Amendment - As of right now it is an unfunded mandate on the states from the federal government that can cost upwards to at least 22 Billion dollars, of course that is just the start up. The estimated cost for the state of Kentucky would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 Million Dollars. Of course the way the government is spending money they might just foot the bill...meaning us.
4) It violates State and National sovereignty - The regulations pertaining to REAL ID is from the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) a UN affiliate. AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators) is also another international organization involved. This organization is American in name only, granted for the moment it is dominated by the states but that won't last long and will end up like the UN once this thing goes full scale world wide. This of course also fuels the fears of the "Mark" as this will include the entire world. Many thought the SSN was the "Mark"; it never could have been because it is a voluntary benefit program for US citizens only. Or at least it was supposed to be voluntary and for US Citizens only.
5) One corporation (L1 Identity Solutions) has the contract with the states arranged by the Feds to implement the card, (the way this deal worked is a little tricky and to tell it would require this to be longer) There are also several other companies involved with this that have had several breaches in the past. Also much of the testing by L1 for REAL ID has either been rigged or the results have been falsified to make the success rate look better than it actually was. Several former government officials also have ties to this company.
6) Centralization and linking of our data and databases making it easier to steal.
7) The increased sharing of data between participating countries making it easier to steal. Any participating country could have access to our information in the name of security, like England, Canada, Russia, or China.
8) The variable security protocols in each country that may or may not be up to our standards thus increasing the chance of theft.
9) Not using the highest encryption technology to prevent coping of our data.
10) Increased surveillance - this part is so scary and to complex to explain in a short e-mail but there is a behavioral recognition being implemented, so don't get mad at the airport, or sweat too much. The program is called Hostile Intent.
11) This will not slow terrorism or illegal immigration as they will not register. Illegals or Terrorist are not going to be first in line at the DMV to give their information. On top of the inferior security protocols and the consolidation of our information it will only make it easier for them to obtain to use in the US.
Now there have been some new developments in this that are entirely to complex to put in this e-mail as it is already getting lengthy. However, I suggest checking out www.stoprealidcoalition.com for more on that.
This issue has garnered opposition from the likes of the ACLU and the ACLJ, and as our sponsorship of our legislation indicates this in not a Republican vs. Democrat issue but simply a Civil Rights issue. This idea has been around since the days of Regan who flat our rejected it. Clinton also did not sign off on it. Bush resurrected it and Obama is playing shell games with us on it. As you can see this administration and the last have taken this once Great Union far from what it once was.
Now we begin the fight again, this time more prepared, with more experience, more people, and more time. Already Rep Stan Lee (R) a cosponsor last year of the Sovereignty Resolution has made it his own this year. That legislation is BR 54 AKA HCR 10. I am going to begin trying to get meetings with our legislators set up and sending out information. I would also like to get Mark Lerner from the Stop REAL ID Coalition back here again to help educate the public. So instead of us getting an education again I am asking if anyone knows an organization or a church that would be willing to listen to Mark for an evening to get the information out about this insidious infringement upon our liberties. Please keep in mind that Mark has expenses that will need to be covered, he makes no money on this and I will not invite him here until we have set venues for him to educate at. This will also have to be coordinated with his travels across the nation.
For those of you who do not know who Mark Lerner is here his bio:
Mark became an early proponent of biometrics as a tool in the war on terrorism. He became a confidant to the senior executives and board members in the biometrics industry to such an extent that brokerage houses had Mark discussing the future of biometric companies with their wealthiest clients (Some worth in excess of 100 million dollars!). All was going very well until Mark uncovered some disturbing biometric facts. He compiled a pool of evidence, what attorneys are calling "massive evidence", of corruption. Mark and the Stop Real ID Coalition have been working to expose these truths where the exposure will have the most impact; Washington D.C.
I will try and be more diligent in keeping everyone in the loop on what is going on and pass along information whenever I can. I look forward to working with anyone who wants to on this issue. I received a lot of help from everyone on this issue last year and I would like to thank everyone, but I would also like to recognize a few people. John Riley, Norm Davis, & Charles Zoeller provided a lot of leadership and encouragement in this effort last year. There was a point however, when I was tempted to throw in the towel and I don't remember what series of events led to it but I wanted to also recognize Adrienne Gilbert for her effort in this. I don't think this would have gone as far as it did if she had not stepped up. I would like to list everyone by name but the list would be as long as this e-mail, but I came to rely on these people last year and I just wanted to share with everyone my appreciation.
