Montana Governor Foments Real ID Rebellion

[donsu]

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/01/montana-governo.html


Montana governor Brian Schweitzer (D) declared independence Friday from federal identification rules and called on governors of 17 other states to join him in forcing a showdown with the federal government which says it will not accept the driver's licenses of rebel states' citizens starting May 11.

If that showdown comes to pass, a resident of a non-complying state could not use a driver's license to enter a federal courthouse or a Social Security Administration building nor could he board a plane without undergoing a pat-down search, possibly creating massive backlogs at the nation's airports and almost certainly leading to a flurry of federal lawsuits.

-snip-

Last year Montana passed a law saying it would not comply, citing privacy, states' rights and fiscal issues.

In his letter (.pdf) to other governors, Schweitzer makes clear he's not going to ask for an extension.

"Today, I am asking you to join with me in resisting the DHS coercion to comply with the provisions of REAL ID, " Schweitzer wrote. "If we stand together either DHS will blink or Congress will have to act to avoid havoc at our nation's airports and federal courthouses."

But Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keehner says DHS has no intention of blinking.
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who will win? the neo cons, who have gotten everything they ever wanted.

[EFerrari]

1. Good for him! K&R

[Nickster]

2. This Governor is someone that I could see being a candidate for President in the future. I've heard

him speak a few times and he's really something else. I was kind of hoping he'd jump in this time. He's got some great ideas.

[havocmom]

5. Let us keep him in Montana just a bit longer

We have some messes to clean up after too many GOP years. He IS an amazing man.

[havocmom]

3. Who will win? Shortly after Schweitzer's road trip to D.C. and lots of TV shows

complaining that the deployment of National Guard units to Iraq had left Montana (4th largest state, area-wise) with only ONE of it's SIX Guard helicopters for fire fighting emergencies in our state, WE GOT THE CHOPPERS BACK!

Don't underestimate Brian Schweitzer. He is nothing but trouble for the powers that wanna keep screwing America! Other governors would be wise to follow his lead in many things. The man is SMART and knows how to whittle at power.

[Mythsaje]

4. DHS is the unblinking eye of Sauron.

If you want it to blink, you have to stick your thumb in it.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Kudos to the Gov!

We need more Dems like him!