Comparatively speaking...
There are authorities, and then there are those who are just plain ridiculous.
The most recent examples I've found are in Federal Computer Week and Washington Technology magazine's coverage of the recent Information Technology Association of America's (ITAA) Identity Management Conference. And in a progressiveu.org's recent blog posted by author, "texast" which discusses Real ID as the "mark of the beast."
First, with authority, I attended the ITAA event and I reviewed the press list and the list of speakers, panelists and moderators. I saw no bloggers registered as media, nor did I see any bloggers listed in the conference agenda.
What I did see, and hear, was a diverse group of experts talking frankly about the federal Real ID Act and its impacts to the 245 million driver's license holders and state Departments of Motor Vehicles across the U.S. This included technology experts, representatives from the Department of Homeland Security and a number of state DMV administrators.
Now, Real ID isn't perfect. But what all drivers need to know is that regardless of opinions on Real ID, there is a diverse group of educated and informed folks who want to deliver to you a more secure driver's license, this icludes your local DMV. What concerns me is that the misguided rantings of the uninformed can sometimes gain momentum in a media environment that preys on sensationalism. Not to mention, in the case of bloggers, we "citizen journalists" begin to lose our credibility.
While "texast" makes no claim to attending the ITAA conference, the blogger does present a case as if based on sound knowledge of Real ID. And I welcome a healthy argument based on facts. But I question the authority and sincerity of this blogger.
If I know very little about a topic, I refrain from posting about it in this blog. I know that if I go out on a limb, stretching the limits of my knowledge, you'll call me on it. And I value my readers and prefer not to lose you.
So, with that said, please read the articles linked above and let me know who sounds like an authority and who sounds, well, ridiculous.
Until next time, stay safe behind the wheel.
Jason D. King
VP, Public Relations & Info. Services
AAMVA
jking@aamva.org
Technorati Tracking
The most recent examples I've found are in Federal Computer Week and Washington Technology magazine's coverage of the recent Information Technology Association of America's (ITAA) Identity Management Conference. And in a progressiveu.org's recent blog posted by author, "texast" which discusses Real ID as the "mark of the beast."
First, with authority, I attended the ITAA event and I reviewed the press list and the list of speakers, panelists and moderators. I saw no bloggers registered as media, nor did I see any bloggers listed in the conference agenda.
What I did see, and hear, was a diverse group of experts talking frankly about the federal Real ID Act and its impacts to the 245 million driver's license holders and state Departments of Motor Vehicles across the U.S. This included technology experts, representatives from the Department of Homeland Security and a number of state DMV administrators.
Now, Real ID isn't perfect. But what all drivers need to know is that regardless of opinions on Real ID, there is a diverse group of educated and informed folks who want to deliver to you a more secure driver's license, this icludes your local DMV. What concerns me is that the misguided rantings of the uninformed can sometimes gain momentum in a media environment that preys on sensationalism. Not to mention, in the case of bloggers, we "citizen journalists" begin to lose our credibility.
While "texast" makes no claim to attending the ITAA conference, the blogger does present a case as if based on sound knowledge of Real ID. And I welcome a healthy argument based on facts. But I question the authority and sincerity of this blogger.
If I know very little about a topic, I refrain from posting about it in this blog. I know that if I go out on a limb, stretching the limits of my knowledge, you'll call me on it. And I value my readers and prefer not to lose you.
So, with that said, please read the articles linked above and let me know who sounds like an authority and who sounds, well, ridiculous.
Until next time, stay safe behind the wheel.
Jason D. King
VP, Public Relations & Info. Services
AAMVA
jking@aamva.org
Technorati Tracking
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