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ACLU Online: February 21, 2002 The e-newsletter of the American Civil Liberties Union ********************************* IN THIS ISSUE: ********************************* OPPOSE BACKDOOR ATTEMPTS TO INSTITUTE A NATIONAL ID! One particularly unfortunate reaction to the terrible events of September 11 has been serious discussion about instituting a national ID card. The ACLU believes that the creation of a national identification system would be a misplaced, superficial "quick fix" to the terrorist threat. We believe that a national ID system would not effectively deter terrorists and, instead, would pose serious threats to the freedom and equality of everyone in the United States. Send a FREE fax Urging Congress to Oppose a National ID! Of most immediate concern is a scheme being put forward by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, which is urging the federal government to fund and authorize a proposal to standardize state drivers' licenses and link state databases. This plan would establish a national ID and an unparalleled system of personal information sharing. Among the greatest threats of the proposed ID system: -- Once government databases are integrated through a uniform ID, access to sensitive personal information would inevitably expand to law enforcement, tax collectors and other government agencies, and private parties such as employers, landlords and credit agencies. -- A national ID would not prevent terrorism. Terrorists and criminals will continue to be able to obtain the documents needed to get a government ID, such as birth certificates and social security numbers. -- A national ID would depend on a massive bureaucracy that would limit our basic freedoms. One employee mistake, an underlying database error or common fraud could take away an individual's ability to move freely or even make them unemployable until the government fixed their "file." -- And a national ID could compromise our privacy, limit our freedom and foster new forms of discrimination and harassment. The ID could be used to stop, question or challenge anyone perceived as looking or sounding "foreign" or individuals of certain religious affiliations. Urge Your Senators and Representatives to Oppose a National ID! http://forms.aclu.org/L/www.aclu.org/action/id107.cfm?MX=267&H=0 The top five reasons why national ID cards must be rejected. ******************************** NEWS ROUND-UP ACLU CHALLENGE TO FLORIDA'S GAY ADOPTION BAN REACHES FEDERAL APPEALS COURT For the first time ever, a federal appeals court is weighing the constitutionality of banning gay adoption. The ACLU brought the suit against Florida's law prohibiting all gay people from adopting children. "In the state of Florida today, there are 3,400 children in foster care who could be adopted right away if qualified parents came forward," said Matt Coles, Director of the ACLU Lesbian & Gay Rights Project. "They wait while Florida uses the child welfare system to make a political statement about lesbians and gay men." In response to media inquiries, the ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Rights project has also confirmed that talk show host Rosie O'Donnell has been working with the ACLU to fight Florida's gay adoption ban. Along with a Florida family the ACLU represents, O'Donnell will be featured in an hour-long program that will air on ABC on March 14. In the interview, O'Donnell and the family talk about their lives, their families and how they are affected by Florida's law. Stay tuned for more information as the broadcast draws closer. More information on gay adoption and the ACLU lawsuit. Read the full ACLU brief in this case. CITING SERIOUS ERRORS IN DEATH PENALTY SYSTEM, ACLU CALLS FOR MORATORIUM A new Columbia University study concludes that the nation's death penalty system is "collapsing under the weight" of errors. The study finds that the death penalty system is overused, and the more people we seek to execute in this country, the more mistakes we are making -- increasing the likelihood that an innocent person will be executed. As the evidence mounts that the system is so seriously flawed, the ACLU is calling for a federal moratorium on all executions pending recommendations of a federally commissioned study on the death penalty. Read the ACLU's statement about the Columbia study. SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS VOUCHER SCHEMES The U.S. Supreme Court this week heard oral arguments on the constitutionality of school voucher schemes in a set of cases that presents the Justices with one of the most vexing social issues confronting the nation. "The simple fact is that the Supreme Court has never approved such a massive program of public aid for religious instruction in its history," said Steven R. Shapiro, ACLU Legal Director. "And it could not do so now without dramatically reforming our modern understanding of the constitutional prohibition against government funding for religion." Although the Court's decision on vouchers is likely to have a nationwide impact, the cases before the Justices are from Cleveland, which has seen its voucher program struck down as unconstitutional by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in December 2000. ******************************** YOU CAN HELP PROTECT OUR BASIC FREEDOMS by joining with nearly 300,000 card-carrying members of the ACLU. Our rights as individuals -- the very foundation of our great democracy -- depend on our willingness to defend them, and as an ACLU member, you'll be doing your part. Click below to safeguard our Bill of Rights by becoming an ACLU member: http://forms.aclu.org/contribute/contribute.cfm?cid=16&clrid=N&MX=267&H=0 ******************************** American Civil Liberties Union Phil Gutis, Editor ********************************* |
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