Traveling the "National Security" Route to November 7th

By Bernard Weiner
Created Oct 25 2006 - 11:47am

By Bernard Weiner, The Crisis Papers

Observations from abroad, which is where this journalistic traveler has been
for the past several weeks:

ITALY'S "CRAZY" INTERNET LAW

Before I was permitted to log on at internet points in San Gimignano and
Firenze (Florence), I was required to present either my passport or driver's
license, so it could be duplicated by the management.

A note taped to the cash register informed patrons that last year, as a
response to terrorists communicating with each other over the internet, the
Italian government passed a law requiring that anyone wanting to get on the
Web at such an internet business must provide photo I.D. that will be
duplicated and kept on file at the business until or if the police ask to
see it.

Reluctantly, I handed over my passport, a copy was made of my photo and
personal information, and I sat down to check my email.