Why don't we all wear barcodes to "help" the police...
Considering no one really reads this blog I thought I'd purloin the comments from the Toronto Star on the DNA collection process that the Toronto Police Department is conducting. I find it disturbing that so many people are willing to throw away their rights and freedoms just so they think they can be a little "safer".
As usual (compare the Bernardo case), the police have no ideas except the wrong ones. By forcing people to give DNA samples, they make those who resist appear to incriminate themselves, while any real criminal would be long gone from the area in question.
[Name Removed], Toronto, May 22
[Name Removed], Toronto, May 22
I agree with this guy. The Toronto Police have no clue who the real killer(s) is/are so they're appealing to this so-called "process" in the hopes that a blind shot might pull their asses out of the fire.
They are desperate. They have been desperate every since that "one phone call away" speech about how close they were to breaking the case. By definition "any" case, no matter how cold the trail, could be broken open with the right phone call being made. To hint that an arrest was close was a misjudgement that will haunt them politically later.
The most innocent and vulnerable members of our society must be protected. This common good must override the individual rights issue raised by the mass DNA screening, provided the data collected is subsequently destroyed.
[Name Removed], Thornhill, May 22
[Name Removed], Thornhill, May 22
The common good does not flow from everyone being pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. DNA screening will not find the monster that did this unless he is stupid enough to actually volunteer for the screening. And national databases are hungry for information...A good database is like gold. You don't throw away gold. Besides, it might help them in "other" unsolved investigations in the area.
If this will help in the finding of the monster who did this to Holly, then guys, suck it up. What's the big deal?
[Name Removed], Victoria Harbour, May 22
[Name Removed], Victoria Harbour, May 22
Sure, Melanie. It's because us guys are all "wimps" that we don't want our personal details fed into some giant database that may be used against us at some future time. I object to an intrusion of the state into my personal details because ooooooooooh! I'm not "macho" enough.
I think DNA samples should be taken from all people entering this country who wish to stay. Also, when a child is born, they fingerprint and footprint them, they should also take DNA prints too. The rest of us, well the next time you have your yearly check-up, provide a sample for DNA recording.
[Name Removed], Tottenham, May 22
[Name Removed], Tottenham, May 22
...and of course, if genetic undesireables try to enter the country we can have them sterilized or trucked off in vans and trains to be "relocated east." Seig heil you nazi freak!
Why not take DNA samples from the entire national population? Let me guess, innocent males have nothing to fear. A police force that was supposedly only a "phone call away" from catching this killer now seems to be scrambling. Doesn't leave one with much confidence.
[Name Removed], Toronto, May 22
[Name Removed], Toronto, May 22
They were scrambling from the start. The police can only do so much and always after the fact. If the tracks have been covered it will be difficult to do much of anything now unless some luck comes the cops way. Victims' families don't like hearing the word "luck" being used when it comes to catching the twisted fucks that do these things.
I would be first in line. If it would cast suspicion away from me as a male living in the area and if it would help narrow down the search and/or flush out suspicious people, I'd gladly do my part.
[Name Removed], Mississauga, May 22
[Name Removed], Mississauga, May 22
You sound guilty.
Maybe the state should check your financial records.
And your health records.
And your sexual history.
Put you under surveillance.
Lean on your friends and employers to "come clean" about you...
Or else we'll check their financial records.
And their health records...
We should all want to give our DNA. Every person. It would sure make people think twice before committing a crime.
[Name Removed], Toronto, May 22
[Name Removed], Toronto, May 22
Sure I want to give out my DNA...It's called sex and it's very enjoyable. Giving the police access to my DNA when they HAVE NO OTHER EVIDENCE. No thank you.
I personally don't understand why someone would not provide their DNA especially in a case as devastating as this one.
[Name Removed], Concord, May 22
[Name Removed], Concord, May 22
There is such a thing as right to privacy. It's not something that should be thrown away with such a cavalier disregard. If the police said that the suspect was a white guy of heavy build in his thirties with red hair who lived in my neighbourhood, then I'd say they had a reason to suspect me and that DNA testing should be mandatory (yes: I said mandatory. I have no bleeding heart if probable cause has been demonstrated.)
But if they said "oh we suspect half the fucking population of the neighbourhood. Let's DNA test them all to see what happens..." I'd have two words for the cops at my door: "Good" and "Bye"
Those who refuse to give DNA samples are only running away from the truth and should be considered a suspect.
[Name Removed], Maple, May 22
[Name Removed], Maple, May 22
You'd be an asset to any police state/fascist dictatorship you'd like to relocate to. I'm sure you could clean up informing on your neighbours.
All I have to say to the people who are refusing to give DNA sample is if it were your mother, daughter, niece, sister, friend, you would want the public to assist in any way possible.
[Name Removed], Etobicoke, May 22
[Name Removed], Etobicoke, May 22
That's a nice appeal to emotion, but it doesn't make logical sense. This exercise is not about doing your civic duty to help catch a heinous killer. We are all morally-bound to help the police in whatever way we can within the bounds of the law. That means being a witness, or helping with evidence when we find it, or reporting suspicious people when we see them.
It does not mean sacrificing our rights to the creation of a database that will not help in this case. It's really easy to trample on individual rights when confronted by the horror of this crime.
Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserves neither.
-- Thomas Jefferson (unconfirmed)
It's disturbing how many of us are eager to make that questionable trade.
Page 1 of 1 pages
| October 2008 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
Recent Comments
[Rue] on 01/24/07 11:09 : With bated breath I await your return to blogging. [go]
[Rue] on 01/24/07 11:09 : With bated breath I await your return to blogging. [go]
[Rue] on 01/24/07 11:09 : With bated breath I await your return to blogging. [go]
[Rue] on 01/24/07 11:09 : With bated breath I await your return to blogging. [go]
[Rue] on 01/24/07 11:09 : With bated breath I await your return to blogging. [go]
[Rue] on 01/24/07 11:09 : With bated breath I await your return to blogging. [go]
[Rue] on 01/24/07 11:09 : With bated breath I await your return to blogging. [go]
[Rue] on 01/24/07 11:09 : With bated breath I await your return to blogging. [go]
[Rue] on 01/24/07 11:09 : With bated breath I await your return to blogging. [go]
Gross Display of Most Naked Capitalism
Blogroll
Red Ensign Blogs for Victory!
-- One of the Original Red Ensigns carried by the Penticton 1st Volunteers. It was present at Vimy Ridge when our little Dominion stood up and became a nation worth fighting for...
And Lastly...
It's a big friggin stetch to go from local Cops doing DNA samples to 'the state' checking your financial records and leaning on friends and employers.
You've read too many pamphlets offered to you o the street by guys in cargo pants.
If I volunteer a DNA sample, I hardly think I'm giving up all my 'rights and freedoms.'
Perhaps a job would help you pass the time?
You volunteering a sample is your choice: you can have any damn opinion you want about that. But people shouldn't be suspected of a crime just because they don't go out of their way to submit to intrusive police snooping.
Oh, and thank you for your faux concern, but I am gainfully employed in a job I hate. Thanks for asking...
My point was not that those people shouldn't be investigated: it's the fact that people like you give away your rights the first time you're confronted with the horror of a crime such as this is what scares me.
I'm sure the cops would love to enter and investigate any home in the area they want to at any time that's convenient to them, without all the fuss of a court procedure, but they can't and that's a good thing, even though they could probably solve a great many cases that way, without actually proving that they had a reason to be there in the first place.
Thin edge of the wedge Garreth.