Two Local Annoying Situations

The Washington Post today informs me that Maryland Governor "Martin O'Malley rejected a proposal yesterday to issue separate driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants and legal residents." He was acceding to the new Real ID law that was in theory promulgated to promote "Homeland Security". Last year there were nearly 43,000 traffic fatalities in the United States. Thus from 2000 through 2007 there were something on the order of a quarter million deaths from traffic accidents in the United States, and 3,000 from international terrorism (if you don't count the number of Americans who died in Iraq and Afghanistan in the wars we have started in the name of anti-terrorism.) We have an estimated 12 to 20 million illegal immigrants in the United States. Do we have more to fear from their driving without passing tests to demonstrate their mastery of local traffic laws and the operation of a motor vehicle, or from terrorists. (Indeed, did the terrorists enter the United States illegally?) And what is the impact of making these illegal immigrants not only break immigration laws but also drive without licenses. It generally is not a good idea to pass laws that huge numbers of people will choose to break. Scofflaws don't make the best neighbors.

I do agree that Maryland law should not be in conflict with federal law. Why not have a certificate of mastery of traffic laws and vehicular operation different from a drivers license. Then pass a law that people could not drive here unless they had a Maryland drivers license, a drivers license from another state, an International Drivers license, or such a certificate. Or indeed, why not simply start issuing international drivers licenses to people who ask and qualify for them without asking about residence?

Incidentally, check out "Once World Leader in Traffic Safety, U.S. Drops to No. 9"

An Idiocy in My County

The Washington Post also tells me:

Juashaunna Kelly, a Theodore Roosevelt High School senior who has the fastest mile and two-mile times of any girls' runner in the District this winter, was disqualified from Saturday's Montgomery Invitational indoor track and field meet after officials said her Muslim clothing violated national competition rules.

Comment: The clothing police are out in force to protect us against head scarfs! Arghh! JAD