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The Washington Post details what happens to a “Cash for Clunkers” car, from the final minutes of life until it’s carved up by Metro-area shade-tree mechanics.

This weekend, I saw an advertisment from the U.S. Department of State promoting their new U.S. Passport Card. The new document corresponds with a tightening of travel restrictions within North America. After reading about this new form of ID, I’ve compiled a simple list of pros and cons:

Pro:

1. It’s really cheap to get the new Passport Card ($45 for first-time applicants versus $100 for a regular passport).
2. It’s small and portable (it fits into your wallet).
3. It’s shiny.

Cons:

1. It’s confusing.
2. It cannot be used for international travel outside of Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) countries.
3. It cannot be used for any international air travel, even within WHTI countries.

I really can’t see the point of this card, especially if you already have a valid passport. While I’m not opposed to having an ID card issued by the federal government (after all, many other country’s national government issues ID cards), this seems like it is an unnecessary addition.

My advice for people who travel anywhere is to get a traditional passport. Even if you are only traveling by land or by sea, emergencies do come up, and the last place anyone wants to be stuck is customs limbo.

UPDATE: The Passport Card featured in this article comes directly from the State Department website.  I just got a good look at it.  The date of birth in the photo is about a month earlier than mine, but the guy looks like he’s 40.

Le Monde is reporting that France is contemplating a full return to NATO (OTAN). I for one welcome the decision. The EU needs a more assertive role in military affairs, and I believe that France has both the initiative and the talent to lead Europe to an important role as a counter-balance to American military policy.

Plus, it gives the French generals in Brussels something to do.