Date: Thu, 06 Nov 2003 00:28:14 -0600
From: thaughey <thaughey at acnet.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] IDea
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

It strikes me that this discussion about identification only affects a
small portion of convention goers who object to having to present a
state-issued ID at convention.  Assuming that you're not expecting a run
by undocumented aliens (of the earth-bound variety) and aren't
particularly concerned that terrorist organizations will target fandom
in order to destroy the imagination and innovative thinking of America,
I believe there are a couple of possible solutions which would get
around the need for IDs.  The simplest would be to require that all
individuals not wishing to have to present an ID enclose a small
photograph with their reservation payment.  The picture would then be
affixed to the envelope containing that individual's badge and would be
returned to the person by handing him the envelope containing the
badge.  Anyone not wishing to present an ID would be responsible for
getting the picture in well in advance and, if he didn't do so, would
have no grounds for complaint.  A second possibility would be to issue
lapel pins to those registering in advance.  The press receives such
pins when covering the World Series, All Star Game, etc.  The third
possibility (which I think would be the most fun) would be to issue
self-sticking third eyes with a serial number on the eyelid to all
registrants.  Fans would come in wearing the third eye on the center of
their forehead, and anyone who was an eye short would stick out as a
mundane.  Care should be taken, of course, to carefully clean oil off
the forehead before affixing the eye, since viewers might think it odd
if one's third eye started sliding down the slope of the nose.  I would,
however, give my eye teeth to see that.  (Eye teeth are those teeth
which the eye sticks too after catapulting itself off the tip of the
nose and being caught between the lips.)    Incidentally, the
conversation about requiring the second person but not the first to
provide proof of identity misses the point entirely.  You might rope the
ringer, but would you get the books back to give to their rightful
owner?  Just a thought.  --Tom Haughey

Date: Fri, 07 Nov 2003 01:29:50 -0600
From: thaughey <thaughey at acnet.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: IDea

Yes, I thought it would go to the list.  If you want to mail out the
badges, put a hologram in the corner and raised letter baked on ink such
as is used for some business cards.  That will prevent photocopying.
Consecutively number the cards and reverse the logo on even numbered
cards (without telling anyone your pattern of change).  --Tom Haughey

Keith F. Lynch wrote:

>I've suggested simply mailing the badges.  The reason this isn't done
>because of fears that people would have time to study the badges and
>make forged ones.  I don't think this is a major concern.  It's not
>like forgery took weeks.  If a badge can be forged at all, there could
>be hundreds of fake badges minutes after the first real one is issued.
>
>Cons often accept their own progress report as ID, but those are even
>easier to forge.
>
>Did you mean your message to go to the list?  It went only to me.
>