• Pushing RFID Implants ...

    From Steve Asher@3:800/432 to All on Sat May 20 21:50:53 2006
    May 18, 2006

    VERICHIP INJECTS ITSELF INTO IMMIGRATION DEBATE
    Company Pushes RFID Implants for Immigrants, Guest Workers

    Scott Silverman, Chairman of the Board of VeriChip Corporation, has
    alarmed civil libertarians by promoting the company's subcutaneous
    human tracking device as a way to identify immigrants and guest
    workers. He appeared on the Fox News Channel earlier this week, the
    morning after President Bush called for high-tech measures to clamp
    down on Mexican immigrants.

    Privacy advocates Katherine Albrecht and Liz McIntyre are warning that
    a government-sanctioned chipping program such as that suggested by
    Silverman could quickly be expanded to include U.S. citizens, as well.

    The VeriChip is a glass encapsulated Radio Frequency Identification
    tag that is injected into the flesh to uniquely number and identify
    people. The tag can be read silently and invisibly by radio waves from
    up to a foot or more away, right through clothing. The highly
    controversial device is also being marketed as a way to access secure
    areas, link to medical records, and serve as a payment device when
    associated with a credit card.

    "Makers of VeriChip have been planning for this day. They've lost
    millions of dollars trying to sell their invasive product to North
    America, and now they see an opportunity in the desperation of the
    people of Latin America," Albrecht observes.

    VeriChip's Silverman bandied about the idea of chipping foreigners on
    national television Tuesday, emboldened by the Bush Administration
    call to know "who is in our country and why they are here." He told
    Fox & Friends that the VeriChip could be used to register guest
    workers, verify their identities as they cross the border, and "be
    used for enforcement purposes at the employer level." He added, "We
    have talked to many people in Washington about using it...."

    Silverman is reportedly also planning to share his vision on CNBC's
    Squawk Box if a slot opens up tomorrow (Friday) morning sometime
    between 6 and 9 AM Eastern Time. He was originally scheduled to appear
    on the show this morning, but technical problems at the Florida studio prevented his appearance.

    The numbering and chipping of people seems like a plot from a
    dystopian novel, but the company has gotten the buy-in from highly
    placed current and former government officials, including Columbian
    President Alvaro Uribe. He reportedly told Senator Arlen Specter (R-
    PA) that he would consider having microchips implanted into Colombian
    workers before they are permitted to enter the United States to work
    on a seasonal basis.

    "The mantra 'chip the foreigners' has little appeal once people
    realize the company wants to stamp its 'electronic tattoo' into every
    one of us," cautions McIntyre. "Electronically branding and tracking
    visitors like cattle is VeriChip's excuse to get the government on
    board. But if that happens, we'll all be in their sights."

    Tommy Thompson, former Secretary of Health and Human Services joined
    the board of VeriChip Corporation after leaving his Bush
    administration cabinet post. Shortly thereafter, he went on national
    television recommending that all Americans get chipped as a way to
    link to their medical records. He also suggested the VeriChip could
    replace military dog tags, and a spokesman boasted that the company
    had been in talks with the Pentagon.

    Privacy advocates warn that once people are numbered with a remotely
    readable RFID tag like the VeriChip, they can be tracked. Once they
    can be tracked, they can be monitored and controlled.

    Albrecht and McIntyre, the authors of "Spychips: How Major
    Corporations and Government Plan to Track Your Every Move with RFID"
    believe the world's people will stand firm against chipping. "Our
    country was founded on principles of freedom and liberty. We're
    betting that the American people will see the end game and buck
    VeriChip's attempts," said Albrecht. "We also believe the people of
    Latin America will rise up in opposition once they read our book."

    The Spanish language version of "Spychips" will be hitting shelves
    across Latin America next month.

    -=<->=-

    Source: "Spychips" http://www.spychips.com/press-releases/verichip-immigration.html


    Cheers, Steve..

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    * Origin: Xaragmata / Adelaide SA telnet://xaragmata.thebbs.org (3:800/432)