As of January 2006 all issued U.S. passports carry an RFID microchip embedded with personal information, including name, nationality, gender, date of birth, place of birth and a digitized photo.

Government officials have repeatedly assured privacy advocates and the public that the personal information on the chips is secure, and that the technology will make it more difficult to forge passports and enter the country illegally.

It seems however that they are not that secure. Recently a hacker with easily acquired equipment was able to copy a few RFIDs while tooling around San Francisco in his car.

See clip below…

The RFID technology is starting to appear in drivers’ licenses too.

If you are concerned about your privacy and want protect your passport there are number of options including Passport Stronghold, RFID-Shield and ID Stronghold.

More at engadget.

David Duke, former Republican member of the House of Representatives in Louisiana, and former Chairman of the largest Republican district in that state, and lest we forget former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard, is none too happy with selection of Michael Steele as head of the RNC. Here are a few of his words, (and if you must visit his site, google it):

To Hell with the Republican Party!

I am glad these traitorous leaders of the Republican Party appointed this Black racist, affirmative action advocate to the head of the Republican party because this will lead to a huge revolt among the Republican base. As a former Republican official, I can tell you that millions of rank-and-file Republicans are mad as hell and aren’t going to take it anymore! We will either take the Republican Party back over the next four years or we will say, “To Hell With the Republican Party!” And we will take 90 percent of Republicans with us into a New Party that will take its current place!

I think the insanity of nominating “Mr. Amnesty” John McCain and now this Black racist — will lead to insurgency in the Republican ranks, and a lot of dissidents getting elected in Republican Party primaries around the country. This will result over the next four years a real move by millions of Republicans to take the party back to the populist issues that are not only right but can win for the Republican Party. We must end affirmative action, protect our gun rights and all our constitutional rights, have a moratorium on immigration, we must have protectionism, yes I said protect American businesses and their workers from NAFTA and GATT and the lie of free trade, and we must have America First, not foreign interventionism. Our boys should be home protecting the American borders a not being murdered on the borders of Iraq or Afghanistan. The time as come for Republican Party to stand up to Obama and defend American heritage, rights, and freedom!

While I’m loath to give Duke ANY space here or give his words any air of credibility, it is relevant because of the public displays of racism, hate and intolerance we witnessed at various campaign events in the lead up to the election. While I certainly don’t think Duke’s sentiment is as widespread as he thinks it is, I do think it is a significant enough percentage to cause both the Republicans, and the rest of us, trouble.

Mormon church officials have now disclosed $190,000 in contributions to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign… this is up from $30K reported earlier in the week.

The church had previously denied any financial support for the campaign beyond a $2000 expense for a visiting Elder of the church.

The report, filed with the secretary of state’s office, listed a variety of California travel expenses for high-ranking members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and included $20,575 for use of facilities and equipment at the church’s Salt Lake City headquarters and a $96,849 charge for “compensated staff time” for church employees who worked on matters pertaining to Prop. 8.

“This is exactly what we were talking about when we filed the suit,” said Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate, which opposed the same-sex marriage ban. “They spent money on the campaign and were supposed to report it.”

Church officials have yet to comment.

More on the recent disclosure.

This beautifully trippy video is from Annie’s brand new single Shining Light off her upcoming greatest hits album The Annie Lennox Collection. A high production throwback to the early 70’s, Shining Light is a cover of the 2001 single by the alternative British pop band Ash.

Isn’t it so nice to see Annie doing a bit of “dress-up” again? Just like the old days.

The album is set for release February 17 in the U.S. and March 9 in Europe.