Thompson In the Chips--Or Vice Versa

"Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson has volunteered to get an RFID electronic chip implant to show the world just how safe the new technology is. "

Tommy Thompson

"I wanted to get numbers tattooed on my forearm, but was concerned about the connotations," Thompson admits.

"And being from Wisconsin with all those dairy cows," he adds, "well, I did learn having my hindquarters branded smells something awful and hurts even worse."

Not to be daunted, the former Health and Human Services Director was determined to find a more efficient way to permanently install the mark of the beast.

"I was thinking about getting a barcode laser-etched on my lower lip, but then I heard about VeriChip," he recalls.

"They're not quite ready with Phase Two, where they surgically implant it in your forehead. But I've gone ahead with their interim Phase One Suppository and it works just fine," he says.

"Long as I stay away from that Wisconsin cheese," he adds ruefully.