Part of the Aviation and Transport Security signed by G. W. Bush on November 19, 2001 authorized the Department of Transportation to create a "Trusted Traveler" system. The basis of this system is a card, which would allow the bearer to bypass lengthy security at airports. One would have to apply for a card, and the applicant would be subject to a full government background check before being deemed a "trusted traveler." The card itself would bear minimal information besides a photo, fingerprint, and a bar code, which would allow the personnel at a security check point to check the bearer's profile. However, these profiles are planned to be quite extensive; the plan calls for a linking of several governmental databases, such as the FBI, CIA, NSA, customs, ATF and, strangely, such diverse databases as the IRS and the Health Service. All of the bearer's information from any of these sources would be accessible from any security checkpoint through the card.

The card is planned to be used in airports, but it is clear that other uses (mainly in terms of transportation; buses, trains and perhaps drives over bridges and tunnels) will be under later consideration. The original plan was to create this card for the identification of airline workers, but it is now expanding to include passengers as well.

The two main problems within this plan are:
1: The obvious suspicion and stigma generated around those not carrying the card, whether they simply did not apply or were denied one.
2: The fact that, with such a massive linking of government information, this becomes "a backdoor national ID," in the words of Barry Steinhardt, associate director of the American Civil Liberties Union. Information contained within the files, it is planned, would be distributed to national law enforcement officials.

The draft proposal, developed by the Credentialing Direct Agency Group (one of the task forces within the National Infrastructure Security Committee that Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta organized within weeks after the September 11 attacks), is currently awaiting approval from the Transportation Security Administration and its new director, John Magaw. It is estimated that, should the plan be approved and set into motion, it would be fully implemented in approximately four years.

An online petition to stop this has been written as can be seen and signed at http://www.petitiononline.com/th1/petition.html
, where it has so far been all but ignored. If you care for your civil liberties, your privacy--go sign it and urge others to as well!

this is probably endorsed heavily by the faa and travel companies across the nation.

who after promising heightened security are now worried about lawsuits when that security breaks down.

don't blame the government, blame your neighbor for suing starbucks for 4 million dollars for serving too hot a coffee.

blame the criminals who sue k-mart for millions on negligence, when the skylight failed to support the criminals.

in the land of business it's called cover your own ass,

because when the lady slips on the ice on your sidewalk,

anything but a settlement gives your company a black eye.

since tobacco companies can't advertise, they love it when people make lawsuits,

they get free media coverage, and although warning labels are posted clearly on every pack, and a court case easily won.

public opinion dwindles when you fail to do the "right thing",

plus it sends the message we'll take of you, if you can muster nationwide media attention.

i hate people.

thats the beggining of the end of the world. next there going to want to put computer chips in our hands and we wont even be able to bye things at the grocery store without it.

This COULD be the beginning of the end, yes. However, the purpose of the petition is so that it doesn't HAVE to be. I've had a little revalation recently-I can complain like shit, but it does nothing unless I do more. My friend started a petition after having a similar one, now I'm trying to spread the word. So sign! Tell others to! Help out, DO something, have an impact!

where do i sign?

When you sign the petition it will confirm by sending you a friendly email with a "Thank you" and a link...Forward this e-mail to everyone you know...That should get the ball rolling.

"It is not answers you seek but more questions."

Big Brother must be having a ball these days.