LITTLE ROCK — Every American who wants to vote should have no problem with producing a driver's license or other photo identification to prove that he is who he says he is.
It doesn't bother me in 2007 America to prove who I am when it's necessary. We require the very same thing of anyone who purchases liquor or cigarettes, cashes a check or, in many cases, takes a college exam.
In an open and diverse society filling with illegal immigrants, asking for definitive identification is the wise and prudent thing to do. And as terribly sad as it is to admit, my ole buddy Bob Blalock of Fayetteville was right when he said on Sept. 12, 2001, "We don't live in Mayberry anymore." The Pearl Harbor of our generation changed everything forever in the United States of America.
The alternative to insisting upon proper and reliable identification is to trust that everyone always tells the truth and does not have a hidden (and perhaps illegal) agenda. In today's world, that is the height of indefensible naivite.
There are alternative ways to properly identify oneself, such as state photo I.D. cards for those who do not drive and informational cards issued by voter registration offices.
In Washington County, first-time voters are asked to provide either a photo I.D. or a copy of a utility bill that identifies them by name or address. Benton County asks for a photo I.D. for first-timers and can provide those without one with legitimate identification for subsequent elections. "We do ask for photo I.D. when a person initially votes," said Tina O'Brien with the county clerk's office there.
Lately, a number of states have enacted statutes that require their citizens to produce photographic proof of identity if they want to cast a ballot. They have done this to bring a halt to voter fraud. Those who oppose this say that, for the most part, fraud at the ballot box doesn't exist and that those who suffer the mostfrom having to produce a valid I.D. are the elderly, minorities and the poor.
The U.S. Supreme Court is slated to weigh in on the voter identification issue in two Indiana cases, one styled Crawford vs. Marion City Election Board.
Since enacting a voter I.D. law in 2005, Indiana has allowed citizens who produce valid photo identification such as a driver's license or a state I.D. card to cast their votes. Prior to that time, poll workers compared signatures as a way of validating voters. Indiana voters without identification can complete a provisional ballot that can be validated within 10 days by aperson showing up at the clerk's office to prove he is who he claims to be.
There are exceptions to the I.D. rule, such as absentee ballots and those who reside in various care facilities.
If I had to guess, I believe identification cards for all of us, or a process of explaining who we are that is much more invasive, will become the norm in our nation within another generation. Farewell, Mayberry.
Movie scene
It is 9:30 on Friday night at the entryway directly in front of Fayetteville's spanking new Malco 12 Theater. Six boys who appear to be first- and second-graders are milling around and playing beneath the lights. Suddenly, five of them fall onto all fours and kneel hip-to-hip with backs bowed to the sky, as if they are praying. Together they form a line that appears to be about eight feet long and two feet high.
Then the smallest member of the group backs up on one end and eyes the expanse of classmates. Suddenly, he springs forward and sprints wildly toward the group. They all cringe at his approach. At the last possible second, the child leaps as high as his spindly legs will allow and, miraculously, manages to clear every one of his friends. They all jump up, hooraying the long-jumper and slapping high-fives.
Ahhhh to know the innocence of being 6 again.
Missing headlines
So tell me, readers, why is it that the number of attacks in Iraq has diminished by a whopping 70 to 75 percent since the so-called surge of additional U.S. troops into that country was launched two months ago, yet this is not front-page news in the mainstream media across America?
I seem to recall months and months of front-page car-blast photographs and suicide-bomber stories in the mainstream media when hundreds were dying each week in Iraq. But now there is virtual silence as the carnage has dramatically subsided.
Is the corporate-owned media in 2007 America still accountable for circulating the truth as it arises or merely propaganda favorable to one political position? Any ideas, fellow citizens?
Speak up
You can have and display your "Justice for Janie" bumper sticker by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to Ron and Mona Ward, 1850 Hilltop Road, Marshall AR, 72650. Every Arkansan should make his or her voice heard in this 18-year-long travesty. Janie could have been our child.
Catch up on details at the Justice for Janie Web site.
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Staff columnist Mike Masterson is the former editor of three Arkansas daily newspapers.
Editorial, Pages 21 on 10/27/2007