Senate approves electronic ID card bill | Tech News on ZDNet

Senate approves electronic ID card bill | Tech News on ZDNet

Last-minute attempts by online activists to halt an electronic ID card failed Tuesday when the U.S. Senate unanimously voted to impose a sweeping set of identification requirements on Americans.

The so-called Real ID Act now heads to President Bush, who is expected to sign the bill into law this month. Its backers, including the Bush administration, say it's needed to stop illegal immigrants from obtaining drivers' licenses.

If the act's mandates take effect in May 2008, as expected, Americans will be required to obtain federally approved ID cards with "machine readable technology" that abides by Department of Homeland Security specifications. Anyone without such an ID card will be effectively prohibited from traveling by air or Amtrak, opening a bank account, or entering federal buildings.

Sounds like the Mark of the Beast to me.

BBC NEWS | Business | New system will 'block' gambling

BBC NEWS | Business | New system will 'block' gambling

The US government is tipped to propose a system to identify and stop payment to gambling sites, say specialists.

The news comes after the US Congress passed a bill cracking down on internet gambling, sending shares in UK gambling sites plummeting on Monday.

By Monday close, Partygaming shares fell 58%, 888 Holdings tumbled by 26%, and Sportingbet shares fell 64%.

Some UK firms are looking at stopping bet-taking from US customers if the bill is signed into law.

It is expected that US President George W Bush could sign the bill into law within the next two weeks...

Because I'm too stupid to make my own choices about my own money. I need to be "protected".