In the case Bob Barr refers to, the police were clearly abusing the law — “We’ll charge you if you don’t comply.” — to obtain a form of forensic identification that they otherwise could not obtain without a charge having been filed. And the charge they were going to file was a completely inappropriate reason for a DNA sample.

It can be argued that the DNA sample is nothing more than a microscopic fingerprint and therefore there’s really no difference in booking someone and taking fingerprints as opposed to a DNA sample. In the case of DNA, however, there is much more information than just a unique identity revealed by a fingerprint.

What government abuse could arise from this? I certainly don’t have a list of dastardly scenarios, and, even if I did, I’m sure that technology will create many more uses for these samples. What I do know is that if no limits are set on the collection and sharing of this information before the practice becomes pervasive, then our rights and protections will have been irretrievably lessened. The time to take on the issues is before someone comes along who will abuse them. Every virulent totalitarian regime has had a few characteristics in common — keeping lists of citizens who have committed no crime has been one of them.

I have been reviewing most of the posts on this weekend thread and something just came to me. In general (there is always an exception now and then) liberals and conservatives post/debate in entirely different ways. Let me try to explain it this way.

For those over 50, do you remember the old “school yard fights” before zero tolerance and felony arrests kicked in ? Well, apply lessons from those physical fights to our verbal fights on this thread.

Boys then were like conservatives today ……….. they would size each other up, make a few challenges in a reasonable attempt to make their point and prevent further confrontation. However, if necessary the “fist fight” was on but then it was over very briefy. One would lose (bloody nose or black eye) and one would win. The important thing was the winner was satisfied and the loser also (because he knew the other guy knew he would fight). Usually, since the pecking order was now established, they would shake hands and be best friends the next day.

Girls on the other hand are like today’s liberals …………….. they would start throwing books, cussing, screaming and shrieking and then the most awful “cat fight” would errupt with the pulling of hair, scratching, tearing of clothes, etc., etc., etc. Eventually, someone would have to pull them apart or they would kill each other. Needless to say, they were enemies pretty much for life.

The point I am trying to make is that liberals and conservatives think and debate differently. Liberals really do get upset with you if you make a point they can’t handle and generally on these posts they are the one’s most involved in personal attacks on other posters. It’s really quite interesting to observe.

Just one example: Liberals love Mike Luchovich’s biting satire in his cartoons. Those are o.k. and the sharper the better. However, let a conservative do the same thing in a “word picture” on one of these threads and they really get hot. I’m sure you remember how vicious they were towards Bush when he was President but if you even dare speak ill of the “messiah” they WILL go off on you.

Just one man’s opinion ……………… and food for thought. Hope it helps.

Now get ready for the screaming and shrieking and ………………………

Bottom line: Don’t get arrested ……….. but if you do I want to know if your arrest will solve a rape or murder somewhere.

This is a republican paradigm for bad healthcare Perhaps Richardson was depresed because white hick Republicans are the only legislature in the US to refuse to fund the 8th largest Metro transit system in the U.S.

Big Brother loves you.

Arresting someone for attending a rally? That seems a violation of the First Amendment.

For once, (maybe the first time ever) I agree that the ACLU should file suit on this one.

This technology exist now.