Private birds

Governor Tim Kaine has signed HB 1587 (Marshall) and SB 1431 (Cuccinelli) that prohibit the state from complying with provisions of the federal Real ID Act that compromises individual privacy rights by collecting biometric and financial data from citizens. Virginia is the 22nd state to pass legislation rejecting parts of Real ID. This law requires states to issue IDs, approved by the U.S. Government, for any person wishing to board commercial aircraft or go into federal facilities. The confidential and personal info required for the ID would be stored in a federal data base - we'd be vulnerable to identity theft and other invasions of personal privacy.

The sponsors, Delegate Marshall and Senator Cuccinelli, are two of the most conservative members of the General Assembly. This issue has united Americans of all stripes - conservative, liberal, and moderate. It is interesting to this bird that Marshall and Cuccinelli probably can't find "privacy" in the United States Constitution, they DO find privacy rights important in this instance. However, ask them about privacy rights when it comes to reproductive rights!!

But, back to Real ID. For more information about Real ID and its "Big Brother" consequences, check out the ACLU's Press Release. To thank Governor Kaine for signing the bill, click here.

In a related story, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles announced it is changing drivers licenses to include enhanced security features required by Real ID. Among the changes are black & white laser engraved photos, raised lettering, shades of various colors, and a hologram of the official seal of the Commonwealth that can can only be seen under a black light. The new security features are supposed to make licenses tamper-proof and help prevent forgeries. Where did I read that the bad guys are always two steps ahead of the government?

Jeepers Peekers

Are you in compliance with the Code of Virginia that establishes a Putative Father Registry? This 2006 law enacted by the Virginia General Assembly is supposed to protect the rights of men who father a child out of wedlock. "How?" you might ask - by having men register the who and when (and lots more) of a sexual encounter. Then, if a child is born because of the liaison and placed for adoption, the commonwealth will notify the father so he can assert his parental rights. Gee dear, that was great sex. Now can I borrow your laptop?

But, the flip side also applies - a failure to register will mean the father waives his parental rights. The Department of Social Services will make little or no attempt to determine a child's father, to notify him about adoption proceedings, or to obtain his consent for an adoption.

Obviously, few men know about the registry and even fewer wish to register their sexual encounters with Big Brother in Richmond. So far, only about 65 men have used the system. Dumb clucks one and all.

There is so much wrong with this law that is is hard to know where to begin. There is no guarantee that information entered online is true. Because the registration includes employment and address information there is potential for abuse and harassment. And how about privacy of everyone, but most especially the hen who might not even know if the rooster registers the ins and outs of their special evening? 

Know the law - check out the details of the Department of Social Services Putative Father Registry and, if you had that special evening, be sure to register. How many eggs have you fertilized?