Border crossings

Apparently, the POTUS is reconsidering the HSD position on border crossings. HSD wants only pbuttports to be accepted by Americans returning from other countries. Dubya is saying that may be too much hbuttle for visiting Canada and Mexico. He's suggesting electronic fingering as an alternative.

Here's the story:

You have to be registered to read it; here's an excerpt: ~~~~~~ "In December, Bush signed into law an intelligence overhaul that requires tighter border security against persons and was the basis for the pbuttport proposal. The White House did not say why the president was unaware of the plans his administration announced just a week earlier. The proposed guidelines would require pbuttports or a select number of other secure documents from anyone -- including Americans -- entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Panama. The rules were scheduled to become final this fall after a public comment period and to be phased in by 2008.

Currently, Americans generally need to show a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification to cross the border from Canada. Customs officials usually require more proof from Americans returning from the other countries -- a driver's license plus a birth certificate to prove citizenship, for example."