Would requiring a passport to cross the international border prevent terrorism? It didn't stop the 9/11 hijackers, who were in the U.S. legally.
So why does Senator Maria Cantwell support a passport requirement to go between the U.S. and Canada? She said she does because -- you guessed it -- security is a top priority. Surprisingly for a Republican challenger, Mike McGavick said he doesn't support the Bush Adminstration's passport plan.
Often going against the Homeland Security Department's wishes, Cantwell and Senator Patty Murray have supported no-nonsense ideas like additional guards on the border and more stringent security at our ports. So why support the passport requirement, which will hurt this region?
Just last month, Governor Gregoire and Premier Campbell united in opposition to a passport requirement. Such a rule would hamper existing business and make it more difficult to for Cascadia to profit from the 2010 Olympics. All without demonstrably improving our security.