ID card rollout begins

[PeteM]

Wendy M. Grossman wrote  on 25-09-08 12:45:
> The other thing I'd pointed out (and have been saying publicly for 
> years) is that although people get very emotional about compulsory-carry 
> laws, any argument about these is a red herring because with biometrics 
> incorporated into the card you don't need to require anyone to carry the 
> card - just equip the police with handheld reader/verifiers. Very few 
> people leave home without their fingerprints or irises.

And for their handheld readers to be of any use to them, the police will 
need the power to force everyone to be scanned and identified in any 
public place. That is just as intrusive as having to show them an ID 
card - more so if anything - and that is what people get emotional about.

But you're probably right about what will happen. Instead of "Halt! Your 
card please!" we will be greeted with "Halt! Your hand in this reader 
please!" I don't think I am being unnecessarily emotional to feel 
despair about either prospect.

-- 
Pete Mitchell