I’m sure not many out there are shocked I’m vehemently opposed to red light camera citations. It’s another unnecessary invasion of American’s privacy and a not-so-discrete plan to fatten government pockets.
Like in Tennessee, Texas, Missouri and California where yellow light time was shortened after red light cameras were not receiving enough of a “profit.”
Where’s the champagne? It’s time to celebrate state’s rights. New Hampshire and Montana held strong and both were granted REAL ID extensions anyways.
This is kinda hilarious to me. Both states wrote rude letters along the lines of “We can’t apply for an extension. The REAL ID is illegal in this state.” Chertoff then jumped at the chance saying something along the lines of “Well, golly-gee that sounds like asking for an extension to me.”
As Montana Governor Schweitzer said, he sent DHS
“a horse, and if they want to call it a zebra, that’s up to them.”
Allow me a rant if you will. I have read so many articles balking at the state cost for invoking the REAL ID process. Examples: Arizona & Alaska.
Ok–cost is an issue with the REAL ID but it is not the issue with the REAL ID.
Nothing drives me more crazy then all these senators and representatives clucking like distraught chickens for more federal aid to implement the REAL ID. Privacy issues are always noted as an afterthought.
Get a clue! You were elected with the responsibility to represent your constituents. That means having the balls to tell Chertoff and the rest of DHS they can shove it. Let Airlines freak out about the DHS’s extra security threats. Protecting the vital, private information of U.S. citizens is your job.
Remember this quote…
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.-Benjamin Franklin
Now go live by it.
And frankly for anyone that “doesn’t have anything to hide” please read this blog.
Mark Lerner is blowing the whistle on the REAL ID Act and the biometric data collection that will result from it.
I’ll admit when I first heard about the Stop REAL ID Coalition leader’s tour I was skeptical. But this is some serious business folks. Lerner has submitted information that L-1 Identity Solutions Inc (ID.N), formerly known as Viisage, is using biometric data collection wrongly. They also will be the primary contractor for REAL ID. So far the SEC has remained silent about it.
Further more, this blog reveals the crazy idea of creating the North American Union and sharing our easily accessible REAL ID databases with Mexico and Canada. I thought this was crazy talk until Wikipedia lead me to this article detailing the plans. That article lead me to the AAMVA website where you must be registered (how ironic) to read anything about the REAL ID or the Drivers License Agreement.
Immediate impacts? Let’s say I break a traffic law for tinted windows driving through Arizona. Even though windows are legal in say-Wisconsin I will still have abide by Arizona’s laws and pay the fine.
Long term impacts? There are no contingency plans for hackers or corrupt officials with the information. As a matter of fact no security for this database has been discussed at all. This leaves the entire system open to stalkers or identity theft.
Let’s not forget to mention the lack of due process rights for receiving a traffic ticket or major violation while driving out of the country. Citizens will have no way to fight a major violation but yet will be subject to the ruling when the ticket is reported to the home jurisdiction. This can or will affect citizen’s retention of a driver’s license and cause insurance rates to increase.
C’mon people! This is your social security numbers, face map, and insurance rates. Get angry already!
UPDATING THE UPDATE
Jeez-o-petes this will be the longest post ever. However, from what I’ve been reading everyone has been calling dell the FACELESS company because consumer questions are never answered. Not anymore! The following e-mails have just been released via a Microsoft subpoena for the Dell Executive Marketing Team. I thought it would be nice to provide the information (though who knows how long they’ll be good):
And the one lone contact from before
john_blain@dell.com
UPDATING THE UPDATE
Finally got in contact with John from Dell who wrote the very nice e-mail below:
I’ll keep my eye on it, but I have every indication it should ship in the next couple of days. If there are further problems with this, I will take immediate and decisive actions to ensure that not only do you get a system in your hands immediately, but also to make sure you are completely delighted with the outcome as a whole. There’s no reason we shouldn’t step in and do something extra in this situation regardless.
I’ve received my 5th delay notice shortly after this…
And shortly after that I canceled my order.
I ask anyone that reads this blog to leave a comment. Thanks to my web-stalking ways I know Dell reads this post quite often and the more comments about their crappy service the better chance they might pull theirs heads out of their ass and listen.
UPDATE
I tried to e-mail Mr. John@Dell this morning and received this back. Next time you leave a comment talking about communication it might be a good idea not to leave a fake e-mail.
ORIGINAL
I hate Dell. I hate it more than how popcorn smells (which I loath).
On March 4th I ordered a laptop (it’s beautiful and for me rather like expecting a new child).
On March 12th I received a delay message.
On March 14th I received my second delay message.
On March 19th I received a cryptic call asking me if I’d like to cancel the order.
I said “If I don’t-what happens?”
Response: “We’ll mail your computer tomorrow ma’am.”
Me: “Then mail it.”
On March 20th, the next morning: I receive another delay message.
I call enraged. Sent to voicemail.
I call the headquarters. Phone lines disconnected.
I call customer service who sends me to voicemail.
I send an e-mail. No response.
I send a fax. Line disconnected.
I call again. I’m pretty much told “Fuck you and wait. We don’t care if we have your business or not. It’s a mail-order company and it’ll get there when it gets there.” by Ashish, Employee ID: 162602.
Now while I’m in no way encouraging calling Ashish, Employee ID 162602 with some “motivating” phrases to get me my computer…I just might be ecstatic, elated, joyfully happy if you did.
After web-stalking Obama’s site today I found out that he and I have a serious issue. You see Obama has a lot to be worried about..like baby seals. Or possibly finding more adjectives for the words “hope” and “change.” But one issue he’s not worried about is privacy rights.
Last week I showcased a rally that was happening in Pennsylvania to protest the REAL ID act. Adam, who created the video I referenced to, was kind enough to send me an update on the happenings there.
Not surprisingly only the panelist supported the REAL ID. Citizens across the board were just enraged and wanted them to know it.
Top 4 moments of the hearing included:
Over 100 people attended. The number of seats doubled and people were still standing in the back to protest.
A group of high schoolers attended the hearing (there is no doubt in my or one Aaron Bolinger’s mind that this was wishful thinking that they’d blinding support the REAL ID). Turns out these tech-savvy teens subjected the REAL ID panelists to the toughest grilling yet. One girl was able to nab them on the utter lack of security planned for the national database.
Representatives Saylor, Freeman and Marshall have now signed on to legislation HB 1351 and SB 1220 that would prohibit implementation of the REAL ID.
Aaron Bolinger’s testimony that highlights the $45 million PENN DOT has spent lobbying for the REAL ID behind citizens backs.
Hey everyone, I will be taking a “break” from blogging till next Tuesday due to my favorite holiday.
As President Bush says “Party on Wayne! Party on Garth.”
And for more good fun check out Guinness’ St. Patrick’s Day Initiative. I love a beer company who’s fighting for our right to be fighting-drunk-Irish stereotypes.
“Perhaps these Senators neglected to read the law that Congress passed, which actually set the date… Forty-six states, accounting for 97 percent of the licenses issued in the United States, are already on the road to driver’s license security. That’s because the American public’s desire for greater identity protection is undeniable.”
The rebel Senators (as I like to think of them) responded by saying that the DHS has not acknowledged that few states actually have any intention to implement the REAL ID Act. Not to mention that full implementation is on hold until 2017.
The Senators have demanded a 50 state exemption from Chertoff.
Knocke responded on behalf of Chertoff saying there will be “real consequences” if the states refuse to comply with the DHS.
However, it must be noted on a sadder note, it has been reported that the Montana Attorney General is looking into if the state can even legally apply for an extension. I hope this is not a weakening of the state’s resolve.
Here is a really good video showcasing that people not just a few politicians are fighting the REAL ID. Not mention the backgrounder really highlights the risk we take with this legislation.
Like in Tennessee, Texas, Missouri and California where yellow light time was shortened after red light cameras were not receiving enough of a “profit.” 
