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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!houxm!whuxl!wjm
From: wjm@whuxl.UUCP (MITCHELL)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: Re: Another Form of ID
Message-ID: <146@whuxl.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 6-Aug-84 10:09:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: whuxl.146
Posted: Mon Aug  6 10:09:34 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 8-Aug-84 07:56:55 EDT
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Inc.
Lines: 23


Memo to  Steve Henning (and the net):
There are several problems to the use of a driver's license as ID.
However, one of them is insurmountable:
Some people (myself included) CANNOT drive, due to various physical limitations.
Ergo, they do not have driver's licenses (this has led to some rather 
interesting discussions when said field for DL # is left blank on forms -
frankly why do supermarkets need same (or SSN) on check cashing card application
anyway - it also leads to my using plastic in place of checks in stores.
Have you ever tried to pay for something with a check without a) a driver's
license and b) a major credit card?  However, the same store will take the
VISA or Mastercard by itself, so the problem is solved - I leave the checkbook
home and use the plastic).
BTW: New Jersey only issues "non-driver license" cards to persons who are
legally blind, not to those who can't drive for other reasons (and frankly I
don't like the idea of government issued ID cards, this is still the USA).
However, if you supply a copy of the engraved serial numbers to the local
police, they can key same into the NCIC computer, and they will be transmitted
to every other police department across the US (and to some international
agencies as well - I think).  This has the advantage that if you sell the stuff,
the new owner has the same protection.
End of Flame.
Bill Mitchell (whuxl!wjm)