We are slipping, folks. Most of us have been proud to live in the state with this distinctive motto. But, is that all it was meant to be…a motto? Let’s talk about this.
Last fall I noticed that convenience stores were scanning driver’s licenses for proof of age, whether you were obviously an octogenarian or not! Just the idea that anyone would want to look at my license to prove I am over 21 was, I thought, a good reason to always make a wise crack about it! For over a decade (maybe 2 or 3 decades…time is hard to gauge once you get just so old), I would be standing in line and seeing balding, very gray-haired men & women asking for their IDs at convenience chain stores. It appeared there was no sign of aging that would be enough proof that a body was of legal age, so ALL licenses must be viewed. Still, a corporation might have to look high and low for employees who could actually do the math when looking at the date of birth. (see how one problem – failure to educate – leads to another?)
Enter scanners. I just want to point out that there are much less expensive ways to enter the mm/dd/yy and have the age spit back. Suspicious Me believes the ability to collect data was a big selling point of these driver’s license scanning systems.
I have to allow that there could be a situation where the Department of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms or Liquor Commission inspectors might be hovering around these vendors, checking to see if IDs are being “thoroughly” checked. There is no doubt that safety and freedom are each a fraction of one whole. More safety means less freedom and vice-versa. Whether Ben Franklin said it or not, this quote is so true: “Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
We want to thank Deb Johnson for this Contribution – Please direct yours to Steve@GraniteGrok.com.
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At the time I saw this and became alarmed, I had no idea how fast these scanning systems were being implemented throughout our communities. But, I was alarmed and I did begin a process to stop the use of scanners. See articles describing my experience here and here.
Since those articles were published, quite a few people have contacted me with their personal experiences of driver’s license scanning. Please understand that I realize how busy everyone’s lives are with work and families, and I am not admonishing those who did what they had to do just to get through the day…but…our freedoms are under attack, and we must notice when it is occurring, or we are at high risk of losing freedom.
The 1st step when someone appears to be stepping on one or several of your US Constitutional Rights…walk away if that is an option. Step 2: Do some internet searching or ask a State Rep. if your rights have been violated. Step 3: Keep notes and documentation as much as possible. Step 4: Begin to realize and use your power as a citizen of NH. Step 5: Use our legal system to begin to insist your rights be restored.
Remember, I thought this was a small problem that would be easy to point out and have our system fix the issue. Hopefully, that is the case most of the time, but always remember the truth in knowing “where there is smoke, there is often fire.” We can retain our right to “Live Free or Die” only with enough eyes and ears to guard against the slippery slope.
