White House nixes controversial national ID notion

By Jennifer Jones
September 27, 2001 11:45 am PT

 
THE WHITE HOUSE will not pursue a national identification card system, despite renewed clamor from pockets of government and industry following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"We are not even considering the idea," said a Bush spokesman on Thursday.

The White House's chilly reception of the idea followed a recent surge of interest in the idea of national ID cards, including an offer from Oracle CEO Larry Ellison to have his company bear software costs for such a system.

On Capitol Hill, some lawmakers had surmised that support for a national ID card system would now be strong among Americans.

Research by the Pew Research Center for the People backed up that notion, finding that most Americans now favor national ID card use.

Pew found that although Americans seemed willing to absorb any privacy losses associated with a national ID system, most balk at government surveillance of phone calls and e-mails.

Still, the idea of a national ID system with centralized repositories and tracking capabilities has long stirred controversy.

"We don't want to see Congress pass something in a rush because everyone is fearful to get on an airplane right now," said Lori Cole, executive director of the Eagle Forum, a Washington-based "pro-family grassroots organization" started by Phyllis Schlafly.

However, vendors, including ActivCard in Fremont, Calif., were poised for a government move toward national ID cards.

"What we are talking about here in terms of value to the user is confidence. Security is part of it, as is ease of use, convenience, and mobility," said Tom Arthur, executive vice president at ActivCard.

Looks like certain tech companies were hoping to make some money off this. Well Larry, thanks, but no thanks, you asshole

Quoted:
What really rips my a$$ is Bill O'Reilly from Fox and Michael Savage (A more radical radio talkshow host) both support the idea of a national ID.  These guys really tick me offf with this one.  How can any so called conservative or freedom loving American like the idea of government being more intrusive and all knowing than ever. You will be using these ID cards to gain access to the toilet within 2 years if they are implemented and that data being logged in some government computer somewhere. It really gets me to see these guys support it. I feel betrayed by them. O'Reilly seems to not mind any intrusion into your life in the name of security. What have I got to hide he says. Why not have your home searched every week by authorities, what have you got to hide? In the name of security.