9/11 Group Retains 'Swift Boat' Media Team

[paineinthearse]

9/11 Group Retains 'Swift Boat' Media Team to Advance Key 9/11 Commission Recommendation on Driver's Licenses

3/14/2005 11:02:00 AM

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To: National Desk

Contact: Bill O'Reilly or Susan Del Percio, 212-681-0055, both for the Coalition For A Secure Driver's License; Web: http:/www.securelicense.org

NEW YORK, March 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Coalition for a Secure Driver's License, the nation's leading advocacy group for a crucial 9/11 Commission recommendation to keep licenses out of the hands of terrorists who could be in this country unlawfully, today announced that it has retained the media firm of Stevens Reed Curcio and Potholm, creators of the now-legendary Swift Boat Veterans for Truth advertising campaign during the 2004 Presidential contest.

The firm's initial advertisement for the Coalition, a 60- second television spot, will begin airing in the Washington, D.C. media market on March 15. It will be available for viewing on the Coalition's website, http:/www.securelicense.org , that day.

"Americans need to know that the work of the 9/11 Commission is not completed," said Coalition president Amanda Bowman, "and no one can deliver that message more effectively than this extraordinarily talented firm. With this advertising campaign, we are hoping to engage the minds, hearts, and voices of ordinary Americans, who will join in our mission to close an alarming homeland security loophole that terrorists already have used to attack us."

The 9/11 terrorists used driver's licenses to plan and execute their strikes. Eighteen of the 19 terrorists carried multiple licenses, which they obtained in states with lax licensing laws. The 9/11 Commission recommended national standards for driver's licenses-the de facto national identification card-which states would have to meet before issuing licenses. The House of Representatives overwhelming passed legislation in February to accomplish that. A similar bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate this month.

"Our firm is proud to assist the Coalition in its clear and vital mission," said Rick Reed, a partner at Stevens Reed Curcio and Potholm. "This is an organization of deep conviction, motivated by patriotism-and the tragic lesson of 9/11. We are hopeful that our efforts will bring results."

The not-for-profit Coalition for a Secure Driver's License was founded by 9/11 family members and other concerned citizens in the months following the attacks. It plans to air its advertisement in additional media markets in the coming weeks.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

[dolo amber]

1. Making laws to prevent terrorists from obtaining

driving licenses is a fantastic way to spend tax dollars. The terrorists are well known for their desire to abide by the law.

:wtf:

[paineinthearse]

2. http:/www.securelicense.org

Coalition for a Secure Driver's License

Who we are


The Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License is a New York based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, founded shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Its members, which include 9/11 family members, recognize that driver's licenses played an instrumental role in the planning and execution of those attacks. The Coalition's single purpose is to advocate tighter identification requirements for individuals seeking driver's licenses within the 50 states, in order to prevent future terrorists from obtaining that critical form of ID.


What we do

The Coalition educates American citizens, its legislators and the news media about the crucial need for license reform in this country. We have been enormously successful in bringing this important homeland security issue to the forefront of the national conversation.

Membership


The Coalition is a citizen-driven organization. We encourage every American concerned about the security of this nation to join our ranks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Aren't you proposing a "national" ID card?

No. In fact, what we propose likely would preclude the need for a national ID card. Driver's licenses have been the de facto identification card in America for years. But because of that, they must be more tightly regulated to prevent terrorists for getting them-and using them-again.

2. Isn't this a threat to privacy?

No. It simply would allow states to know that those they are licensing are, indeed, who they say they are, and that they are living in this country lawfully. A secure driver's license would, in fact, crack down on privacy threats by making identity theft more difficult. As thousands of Americans have learned, the worst threat to one's privacy is someone passing himself off as another to steal personal and financial data.

3. What are biometrics?

The Coalition believes that biometric identifiers are a key to a secure driver's license. This can come in the form of simple facial scan, otherwise knownas a digital photograph. Many states already use tamper proof bio-metric photographs, which also are used on all American passports. They ensure that lost or stolen licenses cannot be used by anyone else. (This also would crack down on underage drinking.)

4. What should the federal government do?

America is only as secure as its weakest link state. An Illinois or New Mexico license in the hands of a terrorist is as dangerous to New Yorkers or Washingtonians as it is to residents of Chicago or Albuquerque. 9/11 proved that: al Quaeda used Virginia and Florida licenses to board planes in Boston and Newark.

Consequently, the Coalition believes that the best way to accomplish its goal is through national standards for driver's licenses-uniform identification requirements applicants would have to meet before being licensed in any state. Individual states would continue to license its drivers, but they would have to meet those national standards.

The 9/11 Commission recommended this in its report to Congress, as has outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

5. What about individual states?

Several states, including Florida and Virginia, tightened their driver licensing requirements shortly after the 9/11 attacks. Other states, inexplicably, have made theirs more lax. Every state legislature in America has a responsibility to take measures to keep licenses out of the hands of terrorists. But until all 50 states begin issuing secure driver's licenses, every state remains at risk.


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Board of Advisors

Bruce Brotman
Marti Dinerstein
Stephen Flynn
Barbara Leflein

Board of Directors
Henry Buhl, Chairman and Founder
Henry Mendelssohn Buhl is an accomplished photographer, philanthropist and community activist. He was born in Detroit,
Michigan, and attended Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts, and Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.....

Amanda Bowman, President
Amanda Bowman is an immigrant to the United States from Great Britain. Her professional career in New York spans working for The Economist, Christie's, Hill & Knowlton and Ogilvy Public Relations.....

Colleen Gilbert, Executive Director
Colleen Gilbert is executive director of the Coalition for a Secure Driver’s License. Prior to her appointment at the Coalition, Colleen served as a research associate at the Center for Security Policy.....

Alan Weeden, Co-Founder
Alan Weeden was born May 16, 1924 in Oakland, CA. He attended public schools in Alameda, CA and attended Stanford University 1941-43 1946-48.....