Obama Supports DNA Sampling Upon Arrest

[Gingersnap]

Obama Supports DNA Sampling Upon Arrest

Josh Gerstein over at Politico sent Threat Level his piece underscoring once again President Barack Obama is not the civil-liberties knight in shining armor many were expecting.

Gerstein posts a televised interview of Obama and John Walsh of America’s Most Wanted. The nation’s chief executive extols the virtues of mandatory DNA testing of Americans upon arrest, even absent charges or a conviction. Obama said, “It’s the right thing to do” to “tighten the grip around folks” who commit crime.

When it comes to civil liberties, the Obama administration has come under fire for often mirroring his predecessor’s practices surrounding state secrets, the Patriot Act and domestic spying. There’s also Gitmo, Jay Bybee and John Yoo.

Now there’s DNA sampling. Obama told Walsh he supported the federal government, as well as the 18 states that have varying laws requiring compulsory DNA sampling of individuals upon an arrest for crimes ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. The data is lodged in state and federal databases, and has fostered as many as 200 arrests nationwide, Walsh said.

The American Civil Liberties Union claims DNA sampling is different from mandatory, upon-arrest fingerprinting that has been standard practice in the United States for decades.

A fingerprint, the group says, reveals nothing more than a person’s identity. But much can be learned from a DNA sample, which codes a person’s family ties, some health risks, and, according to some, can predict a propensity for violence.

The ACLU is suing California to block its voter-approved measure requiring saliva sampling of people picked up on felony charges. Authorities in the Golden State are allowed to conduct so-called “familial searching” — when a genetic sample does not directly match another, authorities start investigating people with closely matched DNA in hopes of finding leads to the perpetrator.

Can you say "Police State"? I knew you could!

Read More http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/201...#ixzz0hydFwwm8

[noonwitch]

A policy of taking DNA samples from every person arrested for every offense would be abused, once everyone's DNA was in the federal database. I've worked for the government long enough that I can say it would be abused, not that it might be abused.

The police don't have a problem getting court orders for DNA samples in arrests for sex offenses or for other crimes in which DNA evidence is needed. I don't have a problem with leaving the policy that way.

[Gingersnap]

No kidding, it would be abused. :mad:

[JackKetch]

but, but… obama's a constitutional law professor, surely he wouldn't suggest something unconstitutional.

[PoliCon]

The MSM would be all over the story had Bush even breathed on such an idea as this.

[AmPat]

Tell you what OBlah Blah, I'll make you a deal; You come forth with ALL your hidden records and we'll discuss this.

[Megaguns91]

Tell you what OBlah Blah, I'll make you a deal; You come forth with ALL your hidden records and we'll discuss this.

Come forth with a birth cert while you're at it, Obummer.

[Elspeth]

The MSM would be all over the story had Bush even breathed on such an idea as this.

You're right about that. And so would our friends at the DUmp. Why does a (D) after your name mean you don't get called out for fascist tendencies?

[PoliCon]

You're right about that. And so would our friends at the DUmp. Why does a (D) after your name mean you don't get called out for fascist tendencies?

because according to the left - Fascism is a conservative trait.

[Elspeth]

because according to the left - Fascism is a conservative trait.

They are so easily fooled. Their own inner fascism has actually been on display over there today.