Gov. Napolitano was praised by ACLU for stance on Real ID law. Things change.

[bushmeister0]

"Instead of dealing with the problems itself, this administration is leaving the mess of Real ID to the next administration, Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office.

The ACLU:

"The Real ID Act, a national ID card system that would federalize and standardize state driver’s licenses, was forced through Congress in 2005 as part of a must-pass military appropriations bill. It will require every person in the country to have a Real ID-compliant identification document in order to fly on commercial airlines, enter government buildings, open a bank account, and more."

http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/28755prs20070301.html

Yet another law congress didnt get around to reading before they voted for it!

6/17/2008:

"Today, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano signed into law legislation that would prohibit the state from complying with the Real ID Act of 2005, a federal mandate imposing a national ID card on all Americans through their state drivers' licenses. The measure passed both the Arizona House and Arizona Senate with overwhelming support: 51 to 1 and 21 to 7 respectively. . .

'Governor Napolitano deserves praise for standing up the federal government,' added Dan Pochoda, legal director of the ACLU of Arizona. 'Real ID is a real nightmare. The people of Arizona will not just lie down and play dead while this administration continues to dictate unfunded and unconstitutional mandates to the states.'"

http://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/35696prs20080617.html

One hour ago, the NYT:

"As governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano, President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for homeland security secretary, pledged that her state would not cooperate with a major domestic security initiative, the Real ID drivers’ license program. . .

Last year, as the chairwoman of the National Governors Association, Ms. Napolitano testified before a Senate committee that the program would cost the states $11 billion. . .

The rules issued by the Bush administration require each state to verify the authenticity of an applicant’s documents and keep copies, along with digital photos, so the information can be shared with other states. The department issued the regulations so late that nearly all the deadlines fall after Mr. Bush leaves office."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/us/politics/02license.html?_r=1&hp

Turn those records right over to the new military brigade to be stationed in the US!

[bushmeister0]

1. As head of the DHS, she'd have to enforce the law, which is the rub.

I forgot to add that part.

Naturally, neither she nor Obama seem to be particularly concerned about the civil liberties issues. It's the cost that's the main problem.

My question to Obama and the new democratic majority in congress is, why not scap the thing, now that Satan and his minions are leaving town?

Id say that some sensible cost cutting.