Mulling over George Pope to Steve Asher 04 Jan 2004

 SA> The Economist: Prepare to Have Hands/Head Scanned

 SA> Biometrics are about to become widespread. America will begin using
 SA> biometrics at its airports and seaports on January 5th. Under the new
 SA> US-VISIT programme, all foreigners entering on visas will have their
 SA> hands and faces digitally scanned.

 GP> Doesn't it seem odd that this is exactly what would be needed to
 GP> get people used to having their hand/forehead scanned, prepratory
 GP> to having full acceptance, even by the religigious Xians, of an
 GP> information chip (or "mark") embedded?

That is one reason why Osama bin Laden is still such a useful asset.
The "mark" will be touted as a way of avoiding the hassle of queuing
at airport checkins, border crossings, etc - it will be the ultimate
in "trusted traveller" credentials to "enable" people
to pass through
check-points with a minimum of fuss.

Cheers, Steve..

---