Can we trust Homeland Security?

 Homeland Security, Congressional oversight and impending bill

“Congress and the Department of Homeland Security are considering several new visa restrictions, including forcing some foreign travelers to register their travel plans online 48 hours in advance. Business advocacy groups are worried about both foreign relations and the economic impact of such legislation, while privacy concerns see this as another possible ‘in’ for identity thieves.

‘Along with online registration, the updated program would require new and existing member countries to improve data-sharing; more rigorously report lost and stolen passports (not just blank passports); and guarantee they will repatriate nationals if those people are ordered out of the United States. “It’s really a 21st-century model,” said James Carafano, a Heritage Foundation analyst who specializes in homeland security. “It’ll all be done electronically and biometrically. And it really doesn’t compromise your privacy.”

Maybe congress should stick to immigration and leave homeland security off the table until a new president is elected.  Will the centralization of our nation’s defense even make it past 2008?  Bush bullied his way into the history books and imposed many violations of rights that the Constitution guaranteed.

Now what?  Trust Congress to keep Homeland Security at bay by drafting legislation that will effectively guide the feds, cia, nsa, dod agencies?  Yeah,… right. Not sure I care so much about the legislation, but I am very concerned about the privacy infringement that is already taking place and the fact that no one can do a damned thing about it.

Fred Soto is an Attorney and Entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley.
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