Texas ... Puts Safety First ... In Evacuation?

According to the Wired News Danger Blog, Texas has come up with quite an interesting new evacuation plan.

Basically, in the event of an emergency requiring evacuation, people are going to have to submit to a background check before being rescued. This is so that sex offenders and those wanted by the police for whatever reason won't pose a risk to the rest of the evacuees. The Houston Chronicle has this quote:

"This will allow us to help them evacuate," Colley said of sex offenders and others wanted for crimes. "We're not going to leave anyone."

Oh, and "if you want" they'll give you an RFID tag to put on your wrist so you can be tracked. Now, you don't have to show identification to get on one of their evacuation buses, but you do have to give a name and they're allowed to ask you for ID. And the wrist bands are just to help you find your other family members once you've reached safety, that's all!

The Danger Room blog wraps up their story with this:

But, as evidenced in the comments section of the Chron’s story, privacy advocates are concerned. And what’s not explained is where all the sex-offenders and paroles end up? Their own facility? I’ll be communities are just lining up to host that type of “special needs” shelter.

Wow, I bet everyone in Texas feels so safe and reassured about their safety next time disaster strikes!

[Update]There's a movie they stole this idea from, but I can't think of what it is for the life of me. Anyone else?

Silly Americans! You're misunderstanding what privacy is!

From the Guardian Unlimited:

As Congress debates new rules for government eavesdropping, a top intelligence official says it is time that people in the United States changed their definition of privacy.

Privacy no longer can mean anonymity, says Donald Kerr, the principal deputy director of national intelligence. Instead, it should mean that government and businesses properly safeguard people's private communications and financial information.

Say that with me, out loud this time to make sure you got it right.

Privacy can no longer mean anonymity. Instead, it should mean that government and businesses properly safeguard people's private communications and financial information.

Doh! We were just being silly! Privacy doesn't mean you get to keep your secrets, it means you just need to trust the government to keep it for you.

We were going off of Webster's dictionary, which defines privacy as:

Main Entry:
pri·va·cy Listen to the pronunciation of privacy
Pronunciation:
\ˈprī-və-sē, especially British ˈpri-\
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural pri·va·cies
Date:
15th century

1 a: the quality or state of being apart from company or observation : seclusion b: freedom from unauthorized intrusion (one's right to privacy)
2 archaic : a place of seclusion
3 a: secrecy b: a private matter : secret

I need to grab the latest version of the George W. Bush English Dictionary, so I can be sure of exactly what "'is' is", since he might change the definition of that, too. Not that he could read it.

Time to start reading those HIPPA Privacy Practices Notices

When I see a doctor, and I'm given a copy of their Privacy Practices, I think I'll start reading them.

Cedars Sinai Hospital says they'll give out your personal information "to protect the president."
(h/t Cory Doctrow)