Thursday
(0)It is hard to know what to make of this article, which seems to be pressing for an ID card system for Australia. Australian Prime Minister John Howard seems to be not so keen on the idea, but refuses to rule it out.
More depressing is the quote from the chief of the Australian Defence Association calling for ID cards because terrorists do not like it:
Australia Defence Association chief Neil James said he believed Mr Howard was considering an identity card because it was identified as one of the chinks in Britain's counter-terror armour. "If you have a look at Europe the terrorists gravitate to Britain because all of the European Union countries have some form of national identity system," he said.
Unfortunately this is fairly indicative of the quality of debate in Australia regarding security matters.
(Hat tip- Tim Blair)
They come here because we don't have an ID card system? Yes I'm sure that is the reason.
Oh the anguish of David Blunkett right now. If only he'd pushed it through a year ago the attacks on London would never have happened.
Posted by Bernie at July 14, 2005 09:44 PM
I've never had a clear answer from any ID card supporter when they're asked the question "but how,exactly, would ID cards prevent bomb attacks?" They thrash around like a gaffed fish, trying to justify cards, but never give a clear, reasoned answer to the question.
Posted by Keith at July 14, 2005 10:23 PM
Sadly it is not enough Otis.
Most people do not know that the terrorists (sorry for using the word "terrorists" B.B.C.) who carried out the mass murder in Madrid had valid I.D. cards.
I know one should not have to explain the obvious - but (in this grim world) one does.
Posted by Paul Marks at July 15, 2005 12:19 AM
And considering that three of the London suicide bombers were British citizens, their valid ID cards would have vapourized with them if such a system existed in the UK.
These guys remained under the radar until they carried out their attacks. I can't think of one way an ID card would have made them more visible to authorities prior to the bombings.
Posted by James Waterton at July 15, 2005 07:37 AM
Unfortunately the UK government, and its weak opposition, do not think so. Blair is now using his leadership of the EU to try and force all EU countries to adopt a fingerprint and photo biometric standard, using the ICAO suggestion to attempt to stifle any opposition to this. Of course he does not seem to understand that fingerprint biometrics are not a part of the ICAO requirement, just facial photos - as the USA is adopting for its biometric passport system.
Posted by Julian Taylor at July 15, 2005 09:29 AM
Blair is now using his leadership of the EU to try and force all EU countries to adopt a fingerprint and photo biometric standard, using the ICAO suggestion to attempt to stifle any opposition to this. Of course he does not seem to understand that fingerprint biometrics are not a part of the ICAO requirement, just facial photos - as the USA is adopting for its biometric passport system.
Course he understands it, he's just lying about it. He's a liar, just like his little mate Bozo Byers who had to admit in the High Court (and only because he had to, because his own memos proved it) that he lied to Parliament over the fate of Railtrack. This has got to be the lyingest government we have ever had. Does anyone know of a previous government that could match this one on the lie-ometer?
Posted by John K at July 15, 2005 12:27 PM
