U.S. to test passports that include ID chips

Internatioal Herald Tribune ^ | 11/26/04 | Matthew Wald

[Flavius]

WASHINGTON The State Department soon will begin issuing passports with information about the traveler in a computer chip embedded in the cardboard cover as well as on printed pages. .

[buffyt]

So long as they don't try to put them IN me.

[Zon]

So long as they don't try to put them IN me.

That's how instrumentalism works. Get people to agree to one small step at a time. Most people readily accept a little diminished liberty for a little gain in security. They trade principle for the illusion of security.

[SirLurkedalot]

Ping

[EEDUDE]

"They trade principle for the illusion of security.

I think making passports virtually impossible to counterfeit is a good thing.

Please explain why this is a bad idea.

[killjoy]

Put it in your microwave oven for about 10 seconds and bye bye microchip.

[japaneseghost]

Wouldn't it be easier to put a right thumbprint in the passport? They could do it at post offices.

If someone doesn't have a discernable thumbprint, then the chip could be viable.

The last time I came back from Europe it took me 45 minutes to convince the Customs people I was who I said am. My passport picture has a different hair color. I had to INSIST that they take my fingerprints - which they didn't want to do - and run it through the FBI database. Within 7 minutes the Customs boss was apologizing to me.

[Veritas et equitas ad Votum]

"virtually impossible to counterfeit"

How many times have they said the same thing about our currency?

I don't think anything is "virtually impossible to counterfeit", but it's a great justification to use on people who are willing to trade liberty for security.

[Zon]

So you can only see that they may be impossible to counterfeit. No matter what the cost, if they are impossible to counterfeit, it's okay with you? As I said, most people will readily trade a little liberty for the illusion of a little security.

[Zon]

instrumentalism 

correction: incrementalism 

[EEDUDE]

I keep my passport at home. The only time it is used is if I travel overseas.

What type of information do you believe they could put on a chip in a passport that would compromise your freedom?

By the way, I am strongly opposed to databases that have my medical records available for others to see. That is a severe invasion of privacy, as are some other things that have already come to pass

You may have a point, but I just don't see it.

Please elaborate