Have you heard of the Real ID act?

I first heard about this thing about a week ago when I was reading the LA times with my friend Ben. Actually, he was reading the LA times while I was playing Counter-Strike, but it was effectively the same thing. However, it does go to show how reading the paper is still important, right?

There have been some follow up articles, like this one in the New York Times, about how states are starting to get a little riled up about it. I think this is a good thing, since the law sounds a little like Big Brother to me.

Apparently, the Real ID act requires states to start issuing federal drivers licenses by 2008, which are then linked in to a national database of US citizens (meep?). Also, in order to get one, you have to produce something ridiculous like your birth certificate, social security card, and your dead uncle’s collar bone to prove that you’re a US citizen.

The card would also have a link in it to the national ID database. Can anyone say Identity Theft?

Come on people. Use your heads.