Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee gets my vote

If you are worried about the North American Union, NAFTA Superhighway, or Security and Prosperity Partnership Of North America, please read the following from Marsha Blackburn, Republican Representative, Tennessee:

Here are a few Myths and Facts that will help to clarify the purpose of the SPP (Security and Prosperity Partnership Of North America):

Myth: The SPP infringes on the sovereignty of the United States.

Fact: The SPP respects the cultural and legal framework of each of the three countries. In no way does the SPP infringe upon the sovereignty of the United States. The SPP is legal and in no way violates the Constitution or affects the legal authorities of the participating executive agencies. Indeed, the SPP is an opportunity for the governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico to discuss common goals and identify ways to enhance each nation's security and prosperity.

Myth: The SPP will cost U.S. taxpayers money.

Fact: The SPP is being implemented with existing budget resources. Over the long-term, it will save U.S. taxpayers money by cutting through bureaucratic red tape and reducing paperwork. This initiative should benefit the taxpayers through economic gain and increased security, thereby enhancing the competitiveness and quality of life in our countries-- if it does not, Congress must step forward to enlist.

Myth: The working groups and SPP documents are a secret and not available to the public.

Fact: The SPP's initiatives and timelines can be found by clicking the Report to Leaders link at www.spp.gov.

Myth: The SPP is meant to deal with immigration reform and trade disputes.

Fact: Immigration reform is a legislative matter currently being debated in Congress and is not being dealt with in the SPP. Likewise, trade disputes between the United States, Canada, and Mexico are resolved in the NAFTA and WTO mechanisms and not the SPP. The SPP is only a structure for dialogue.

Myth: The SPP will result in the loss of American jobs.

Fact: The SPP seeks to create jobs by reducing transaction costs and unnecessary burdens for U.S. companies, which will bolster the competitiveness of our firms globally. These efforts should help U.S. manufacturers, spur job creation, and benefit consumers.

Please know that I will continue to vigilantly protect the sovereignty and borders of the United States. These are items of legislation that I am currently working on to secure our border, end illegal immigration, and protect our sovereignty in the 110th Congress:

HR 18, Disapprove social security totalization agreement between US and Mexico
HR 19, Require employers to conduct employment eligibility verification
HR 332, Not allow illegal immigrants credit for social security work performed
HR 563, Pardon for Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compeon
HR 768, No funding for people to access government services who do not speak English
HR 769, Declare English as official language

In the 109th Congress, I worked to pass the following bills:

HR 418, REAL ID Act
HR 4437, Border Security Act
HR 6061, Secure Fence Act

Comments

[StormWarning]

Jason:

No I don't, but it will happen. The e-passport and all of the security/privacy concerns is simply one example. Listen, I work in this field (not RF but related), I can't (or won't) go into all of the detail of a Google quote to explain why some of this stuff is nothing. I simply do not see pervasively implantable chips being something to worry about. Applied Digital's stock is at $1.70 something. Digital Angel is at $2.60 on the AMEX.

There is enough of an issue with RFIDs and privacy when it comes to ID cards that there is alot of resistence to it. RFID has a place...mostly in tracking inanimate objects like cargo containers. But then again, with the question of RFID chips having been cloned, or the concern that RFID chips could be read/scanned at a short distance by a "bad guy," or that RFIDs can be implanted with a computer virus, I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Jason]

SW, perhaps it is expensive now. But, as you note, it's predicted to be down to 5 cents by 2011. I never said that it would happen quickly. But look at these facts (all verifiable by searching Google - and not all are 4 years old):

The Mexican government is currently using RFID implants for access to restricted information.

The US Marines are testing to see if RFID implants can be used as replacements for dogtags.

It is also interesting to note that LA is using the chips in some prisoners.

Did you know that since 2004, all tires sold in the US have an implanted (or are supposed to) RFID chip?

We don't know precisly what for the 'mark of the beast' will take. But, considering the Greek word translated into 'mark', the idea of an implanted RFID chip is suspicious, to say the least.

And even if the RFID implants do not "morph" into the 'mark of the beast', do you REALLY want the government (or a hacker that cracks the system) to be able to monitor your every move?

[StormWarning]

Four year old info. from Verichip doesn't mean its being used now. Sure, the FDA approved it, but any info. on how broadly its being used? One of my associates investigated the use of a chip to help keep track of wealthy individuals who might be subject to kidnapping and rejected the approach because kidnappers, once they caught on, would simply (and painfully) remove the chip.

Aside from any other issue, have you any idea how much an RFID chip costs? The plus cost of a chip makes it quite unlikely that any of these tests will be implemented, at least in the next 4 years or so. The RFID industry doesn't project the cost of a chip to get to 5 cents until 2011 or beyond.

Despite the mandates by Walmart, and the strong suggestion by the FDA, the cost and feasibility of using RFIDs is still downrange from practicality.

I guess what got me started was the "stigmata" parallel.

[Jason]

Well I'll be darned. Debbie, looks like it was the number of links causing the problem.

SW, I've been trying to reply for a few days now, but typepad wouldn't let me. Apparently it was because of he number of links in my comment.

You can find thousands of sources for all my assertions via Google. Feel free to look them up if you choose not to take my word for it. I won't be offended in any way. :-)

[Jason]

3) Mexican government officials (this was on national TV via InfoWars and several MSM sources):

Casper Star Tribune: http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2005/03/07/editorial/forum/f50f86f4ac54580c87256fbb00057580.txt
Applied Digital: http://www.adsx.com/newsarticles/03.htm

4) FDA Approval for use in humans:

From VeriChip themselves: http://www.verichipcorp.com/news/1097696828

You know, you can actually find almost all the information on this stuff directly from VeriChip themselves. They are proud of their achievements and goals (one of which is a global, paperless, identification and payment system).

Things like this start simple and "snowball". Each subsequent step builds on the steps before it. Considering how far we have come from facial recognition (for identification) and exchanging brightly colored pieces of rock (for payment), is it a stretch to look at where we are headed and seeing an implanted microchip that covers our identification and payment needs? Especially since both are already being done in small doses now.

But when it becomes more widespread in it's usage, people will be forced to get it implanted or not be able to drive, work, or buy and sell. Cash and credit/debit cards will, over time, fall into disuse and virtually disappear. With no cash or credit/debit cards, how will people pay for things if they don't have the chip? Simple, they can't. Identification is the same way.

And it will all start with small, simple steps that seem to be innocent.

And SW, I realize that the Real ID Act is law. Of course, there are several states that are telling the federal government to take a long walk off a short pier, but it is currently law. And yes, it will be implimented. Of that I have no doubt.

[Jason]

Sure thing, StormWarning. I'm surprised you didn't take the time to investigate these things for yourself. But if you're willing to accept my sources, that's fine too. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of articles from each item. Here are a few. If you want more, you can search at Google.

1) RFID loyalty cards in Germany:

Business Weekly: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2004/tc2004035_8506_tc073.htm
SpyChips: http://www.spychips.com/metro/scandal-payback.html

2) Biochips for use as ID/Cash in European (it started in Spain, not Germany. My mistake.) clubs:

WorldNetDaily: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38038
Technovelgy.com: http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=104

[StormWarning]

Jason: I would just "^LOVE^" to know the source of some of the assertions you've listed re: RFIDs.

Adn I am quite aware of the VISA implementation, as well as the e-passport implementation, and the EXXON-Mobil Speedpass implementation, as well as the "poochie chip" ("Elsie" chip) from Verichip etc.

Despite all of that, and despite the issues of passdown costs to the States, the Real ID Act of 2005 is very likely to happen. Its already law. The problem with implentation is the cost of compliance. All of the "privacy" issues aside, there will eventually be uniformity of ID credentials, and the drivers license is most likely to be the embodiment.

Just for "jollies" (known as "yucks and chucks" in some circles):

H.R.418
Title: To establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, and to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence.
Sponsor: Rep Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [WI-5] (introduced 1/26/2005) Cosponsors (140)

Related Bills: H.RES.71, H.RES.75, H.RES.151, H.R.1268

Latest Major Action: 2/17/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Note: Pursuant to H. Res. 151, the text of H.R. 418, as passed House, was appended as Division B to the end of H.R. 1268. Division B was further modified in conference. H.R. 1268 became P.L. 109-13 on 5/11/2005.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.r.00418:

[Jason]

My pleasure, Debbie. And, were I her, I certainly wouldn't be bragging about the Real ID Act. That's like bragging that you helped pass the 'Mark of the Beast' Act (aka S-666 and HR-666).

Seem far-fetched? Look at it this way:

1) A grovery company in Germany attempted to use RFID tags in their frequent shopper cards. They were shot down.

2) A different company in Germany has put out a biochip to be implanted into the back of the hand (the right hand is prefered due to greater temperature variation) for use as ID and payment in clubs. There are now hundreds of clubs all over Europe that accept such chips for ID and/or payment.

3) All higher officials in the Mexican government have biochip implants to allow them access to secure and classified data.

4) Several high-tech companies in the USA are currently using biochips for identification for employees require secure access to high-level corporate data.

5) The US Marine Corps is currently experimenting with biochips to be used as replacements for the traditional military dogtags.

6) The FDA approved the use of biochips in humans faster than asprine was approved.

In the Bible, the Greek work translated as 'mark' is 'stigmata', which means "to prick, scar, as in mark for ownership". The implantation of these biochips leaves a small, barely noticible scar at the point of incision.

Is it the 'mark of the beast' right now? No. But take the above information, add to it the Real ID Act, and then add the ease of electronic banking... All we need after that is the Anti-Christ and we've got the 'Mark of the Beast'.

And just think, it all started with Fidi getting a biochip to identify him.

[Debbie]

Stormwarning, I agree with you completely. It's a bad idea, a horrible idea, it just not happen. I'm just trying to show what information, or lack thereof, is out there. Also showing how the politicians are either, (1) misinformed themselves, or (2) trying to fool us.

Marsha Blackburn is very strong on terrorism, immigration and most things that are important to me. She is up and coming and is going far in politics.

Yet you have read what she is sending out to voters.

[StormWarning]

But Debbie, you have still posted the "Myths and Facts" as provided in the email you received. The background info. I posted with my analysis of the Task Force for the Future for North America CFR Report stands.

Its a bad idea. There is no way that Mexico, as current events show, can be a partner in a North American Alliance.

[Debbie]

Jason, I knew if I put this article up I would get some feedback. Thanks for helping me out. Yesterday I posted about this,and the secrecy and 'stealth' way it is going. But then I get this email info from Ms Blackburn. It sounded good, but I knew there must be more to it.

I'll check out the link you mention.

[Jason]

It seems Ms. Blackburn hasn't done enough homework. The SPP is following the exact outline of a 2005 report called "Building a North American Community" put out by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Here's just one excerpt (dealing with borders) from the CFR report:

"The three governments should commit themselves to the long-term goal of dramatically diminishing the need for the current intensity of the governments’ physical control of cross-border traffic, travel, and trade within North America. A long-term goal for a North American border action plan should be joint screening of travelers from third countries at their first point of entry into North America and the elimination of most controls over the temporary movement of these travelers within North America."

Want information from on the SPP, who is involved, and what they are doing? Good luck. Their website is www.spp.gov, but as Jerome R. Corsi at WorldNetDaily (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=50618) notes:

"The membership of the working groups has not been published, nor has their work product been disclosed, despite two years of massive effort within the executive branches of the U.S., Mexico and Canada."

There is no Congressional act that created the SPP, nor is there ANY Congressional oversight of the program.

If you take a look at the SPP website, it is virtually identical to the CFR report.