For those opposed... http://www.no2id.net/ http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/privacy/id-cards.shtml Sign this one and pass it on... http://www.pledgebank.com/refuse
I'm not in the UK, but was curious... found this off your first link Trance. So #2 would be like a SSN (Social Security Number) like we have in the US? After that a card would be issued that has your info on it and most places would use to validate who you are. Sounds similar to having to present my driver's license at a number of places here in the US. I think the fingerprinting of everyone, while being helpful to police and other such agencies, could definitely be viewed as an invasion of privacy by people. It'll be interesting to see what happens as I'm sure it could help set precedent for other moves of this nature in other countries.
I don't think it's a simple yes/no, we hardly have our identity hidden in the modern world so I have no major issue's with big brother doing in public what it does in secret but at who's expense? and there are probably better things to spend the money on. By the time its implemented maybe I'll have bought my own Island somewhere in the sun and I can implement identity cards to my minions, muwahaha - hmm maybe I'd GPS tag them and have a choker that was linked up to a remote so I could fry them for being bad! hmm that sounds a bit sorded doesn't it? Can't really think where I am going with this now, down a dark alley I guess.......end transmission
#2 does sound the same as having a SIN (Social Insurance Number) here in Canada. I've never been fingerprinted or had my irises scanned thats not a requirement (yet). I don't drive, so no drivers license number. Instead I carry a provincial ID card with my photo on it. Needed for proof of my existance. No-one has to give out their SIN #. (Except for employment).You get asked all the time, it's amazing really how many times. I just tell them I don't give it out and give them either my Sask ID # or medical #. I've heard that in the next 5 years all Canadians will be required to have passports in order to cross the American border. Eh...I suppose I need one soon anyways for I plan to do some major world travel in the very near future...soon as I win the super7...
Something that establishes that little african boys are accounted for after entering the country can't be all bad! http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/02/0210_020510_tv_witchcraft_2.html
I'm actually quite worried about it - sounds like everyone will need a number, which reminds me about something I read in Revelations when I was a kid
Yeah I was thinking about that too but at the same time I believe it's going to happen at some stage anyway.
We had the same idea proposed in Australia a few years ago. It was howled down by the public and the govt caved in. But I think that is what they wanted because they quietly introduced another system which is probably worse. It's all done by tax file numbers with help from bank accounts and the drivers licence. Try and do anything without a drivers licence and you won't get far.
I have to say it isn't the card that scares me. The idea of putting biometrics on passports seems sensible to me... does no more than serve the function of a photograph and more effectively. We already have National Insurance numbers, so a unique ID is not an issue. What scares me rigid is the preparation that this government is putting in place to make the cards compulsory... just listen between the lines... and the planned convergence of data. Hell they intend to be in a position to tell you how many detentions you had in school. We already know our governemnt will try to dig out dirt on anyone who opposes them, they will just have a system for doing it more effectively. The only saving grace is this governements appalling track record at instigating any data orientated system.