Posted on 05/27/2008 9:12:13 PM PDT by Raineygoodyear
Other than your knee jerk reaction, specifically which part of the constitution is violated by a finger print data base?
Why would being arrested for a crime then make that right no longer applicable? Remember you get finger printed when you get arrested, not convicted of a crime.
All men and women in the armed services have their finger prints, dental records, and DNA on file with the feds. Is that also unconstitutional in your book? Every naturalized citizen also has their fingerprints on file with multiple agencies. Is that unconstitutional? Or did all persons who service in the military, simply get arrested, or immigrated here LEGALY, waive their constitutional rights. Or, is it possible, that having fingerprints on file is not a violation of your "civil rights".
As far as I am concerned the answer to all of your questions is YES, it is both unconstitutional and unnecessary to maintain such databases. And it does not have to violate a specific section to make it so... the fact that such authority is not specifically granted is enough. See the Tenth amendment. If you want to do that, get a specific amendment passed by 3/4 of congress and 2/3 of the Several States, dealing with the issue and explaining exactly WHY this would be a good thing.
As far as criminals go, I would mandate that their fingerprint records be destroyed the day they finish their sentences and are released from prison. One not charged or one found not guilty should IMMEDIATELY have their fingerprint records expunged.
Same with the military. ALL such “personal identifiers” should be eliminated on separation from service. While IN service it’s needful in order to ID the body or body parts of casualties. That’s all.
When someone takes the oath of citizenship, any and all fingerprint records should be destroyed at that time, as well.
The answer to your last question is an unqualified NO.
I'd like to know just who authors these little gems, and then slips them into legislative bills. Just some faceless staff member working for a Congressman or Senator - or is it more devious than that?
I appreciate consistency. It relieves me of the necessity of trying to remember each different story to each different person.
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