The point is the police have someone who cannot prove who he is, while someone is carrying on with possibly illegal act in that person's name. How does the incarcerated person prove that those acts are being carried out by another person or persons when he's unable to even prove who he says he is because the all-important ID card and its information is missing. There are already many examples of identity theft where innocent people are having difficulty proving they are innocent of fraud or theft when there is 'proof' by way of documents they were in fact responsible. There is an example of just how messed up this can get with the DVLA getting people's data wrong on their driving licenses, then forcing them to undergo new tests and exams because 'they never get data wrong', which is a blatant lie. When some bored, pissed-off civil servant enters your personal details incorrectly, how do you correct the information when what is in the database appears to show you're a different person. Monolithic government departments don't care, because THEY DON'T MAKE MISTAKES.
they have i.d. carsd here in germany.
on one level they are a good thing. a bit stupid that they are a little bigger than a credit card meaning purses are bigger, but that is ok as most german men cary coinage in their wallet too.
you can travel throughout europe with an i.d. card. even t the UK. it is only us that need a passport which i believe are more easily faked than an i.d. card.
it does cut down police time when asking for names as it is complusory to carry them.
it is the whole 'knowing where you are', what you do, where you go thing that scares me.
i would rather slip off the radar and have as little contact with 'the state' as possible (practically impossible here in germany - from cradle to grave (they even designate a burial place or somewhere you can spread loved ones ashes)). that goes for claiming handouts to paying taxes.
and i do do things that are illegal but it is only a problem if i get caught. and in which case i wouldn't give false details because i'm (sort-of) honest.
i'm not overly sure if this government, or any government, are capable of holding on securely to this information.
the world is a shit.
go watch [url= http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-594683847743189197 ]THIS[/url]
Trade bodies representing chains such as Boots and Snappy Snaps told the BBC they can be trusted with the data.
A mate of mine worked at Boots. A collegue of his was sacked, for making copies of 'saucy' pics off rolls of film customers had brought in for processing, or to be put on DVDs. He would sell these pics on CDs. Rumour had it that he'd also uploaded stuff to a website, but no evidence was found.
Does the government seriously think that such sensitive data will be completely safe, in the hands of private companies? And seeing as how these companies will be getting a cut, taxpayers will, ultimately, be forced into boosting revenue for private enterprise, even more than they do now.
And considering the technology available, could these cards not contain some form of tracking device, that could be read via similar technology that tracks mobile 'phones? Will people be expected to carry these at all times? Why? You don't have to have all your driving and insurance documents with you, when you drive, do you? If you get pulled, you have to surrender these documents to a police station. Why not the same with ID cards? What if I just want to go for a run, or down the shops? Do I have to take the bloody thing with me? What about old people, who may be a bit forgetful? Or people with mental disabilities, illnesses or diseases like Alzheimer's? People who may lack the mental ability to always have it on them?
I'm not against having an ID card, as much as I'm not against having a passport. I just object to being told I must carry it at all times, and the sheer waste of money this scheme will be. It won't stop crime, or terrorism. No nutter is not going to rob or murder me, just 'cos I've got a forking ID card on me, FFS.
And if it's compulsory, then why should we be forced to pay for the ****ing things? If I want to travel abroad, I pay for a passport. If I don't, I don't have to pay a thing.
As Blunkett said simply updating the passport would have been enough.
My biggest objection is that this idea has not gone before the British Public. We at least deserve a referendum on this. 'Onion Polls' are not a sufficient indication of what people really want.
I suspect they're going to contain tracking devices. Why don't they just microchip us all, and have done with it? Same thing, really...
Well put, RudeFredBra, well put
It will help youthful looking types get served in the offie I suppose. Can't think of any other benefits.
Maybe for a few quid more we could be impregnated with a ickul computer chip thingy, and we could have far more benefit from this. for eg we could use it to track where we are on remote trails. That'd be well handy