May I see your travel papers?

Apparently the US Department of Homeland Security is about to start deciding who can travel in advance on every flight. Some are comparing this to countries where you had to have your travel papers with you to enter or exit their country.

This piece says:

Forget no-fly lists. If Uncle Sam gets its way, beginning on Jan. 14, 2007, we’ll all be on no-fly lists, unless the government gives us permission to leave-or re-enter-the United States.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSA) has proposed that all airlines, cruise lines-even fishing boats-be required to obtain clearance for each passenger they propose taking into or out of the United States.

I always follow up on such things from the blogosphere, and guess what I found? Apparently, there is a good deal of truth in it. It’s open to interpretation, and really more of a risk for abuse than a direct obvious problem, but it’s there.

Here’s the DHS proposal (PDF warning.) You can perform your own search and read all the comments so far. Go here for some instructions on how to do just that.

Thanks to catvincent for putting me onto this one.