Ellison Wants National ID Card, Powered By Oracle

cplater writes: "This article discusses Larry Ellison's call for a U.S. national ID card, and his offer to provide the software for such an initiative." There's an advertising slogan to be proud of: 'Oracle, the Big Database behind Big Brother'. Or 'Oracle, the All-Seeing Eye'. Or 'If it's good enough for Orwell, it's good enough for your company'. Update: 09/23 23:22 GMT by M : Richard Jones writes "The British Home Secretary is considering compulsory identity cards, despite the fact that such cards would not have made any difference in the recent terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. The British have generally opposed their reintroduction since the wartime system of identity cards was abolished in 1952."

What's wrong with a national ID card?

[cdraus]

At least I'd know who I was. Anytime I forgot I could look proudly down at my chest and point to my ID.

And on a more serious note...

[xigxag]

It seems clear to me that Larry Ellison is still smarting from his failed attempt to best Bill Gates in the "World's Richest Guy" competition. So now he's attempting to one-up Bill's whole Passport/Hailstorm initiative by being the gatekeeper for a much more pervasive system than Microsoft's MSN/Hotmail.

It worked great in Nazi Germany

[T1girl]

Need i say more? We've already got E-Z Pass, Acme Rent-A-Car's GPS systems and every "CRM" system devised in the last 5 years tracking our movements and purchases. I used to think people who claimed the government had implanted a chip in their brains to monitor their movements were crazy; maybe they were just prescient. This would be an instant challenge to hack. We already live in a country where the Pres' teenage daughters can drink on a fake ID, so there would be a big demand for faking these IDs.

better idea

[ocie]

Let's not waste money on an expensive database system. Let's just find all the bad people and make them wear easily identified tags around their necks..

Re:Is free really free?

[xmedar]

I can see it now ....

Oracle Support: What seems to be the problem?

Joseph K: My ID card is not functioning and I've been arrested.

Oracle Support: Sounds like you need one of our consultants, the charge is $1,500 per diem, minimum 5 day consultancy, if you give me your credit card details I will debt your account now.

Joseph K: ARGHHHH!

Re:How about a Scarlet 'A'?

[OmegaDan]

Could the "A" stand for asshole? We've got alot of A-holes in my locale :)

Re:It Hurts to Admit This...

[Pig Hogger]

In the same manner, we might be able to flash such a card in the airport and not have so much hassle getting on the plane. And someone who doesn't have one would be subject to more intense 'scrutiny'.

Why do I hear the sound of a rubber glove smacking on some security officer's hand????

Re:National ID is Good, IF DONE PROPERLY...

[Rude Turnip]

I recently applied for membership at the local Hollywood Video. When asked for my SSN on the form, I put the following:

N O Y F B

Guess what it stands for?