Friday, March 28, 2008

We Don't Need No Stinking Passports

The Washington Times reports that House leaders and the Government Printing Office's watchdog said they are investigating security concerns about the production of electronic passports. The Times reported previously that the GPO chose two European computer chip makers over U.S. manufacturers to make tens of millions of electronic passports. The passports are being assembled in Thailand by one company that was a victim of Chinese economic espionage.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, criticized the GPO for using foreign components in new electronic passports.

"It is just plain irresponsible to jeopardize the gold standard in document security by outsourcing production when U.S. companies ought to be able to do the same work here," said Mr. Thompson, who announced that his panel is investigating the outsourcing.

So now the integrity of our passports have been compromised. Ultimately it probably doesn't matter because whoever wants to get in here can simply walk across the Canadian or Mexican border. Still, what nitwit allowed this to happen? Publish the names of those responsible and what the consequences will be for their stupidity.

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