I, for one, will not be proud
March 5th, 2008 by Brad FSo it seems Governor Schweitzer would like to continue his quixotic crusade against REAL ID.
I will save my thoughts on why REAL ID is good for the country for a later date. The more pressing question is why is our state government asleep at the wheel on this issue? Come May 11, Montanans will be treated like second class citizens because of our Governor’s actions.
On May 11, the initial security provisions under the REAL ID act come into effect. Unless a citizen presents a federally approved driver’s license or other approved state or tribal card that individual will be subject to secondary screening when trying to board a plan. The only other option is to spend $100 on a passport to fly domestically.
No state, not even those who have not publicly objected to REAL ID, will be able to meet the May 11 deadline. That is why 45 states have applied for waivers to delay the security hassles on their residents until January 1, 2009. At least 12 of those states have said that ultimately they have no intention of complying with REAL ID. So the question becomes, why hasn’t Montana applied for a waiver? Well, I give you the Bloviator in Chief from Montana to answer that:
“We’re not going to buckle under here,” said Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer. “My guess is the people of Montana would be proud to walk through that line.”
Well Governor, count me as one Montanan who won’t be proud. In fact, while I am being subjected to an intrusive wanding by some fine TSA employee touching me like only my girlfriend should, I will be downright embarrassed.
The right thing to do here would be to join the other 45 states and grant Montanans a reprieve from unnecessary screenings at the airport. This does not need to be a game of chicken, apply for a damn waiver and then get back to your little crusade.
You do not have to support the Act to do what is responsible for the people of Montana.
Finally, it should be noted, despite having the sixth most powerful Senator and a Senator who made repealing REAL ID a central issue to his campaign, the Act is still there. Maybe we need new representation in that body who can get things done.
