All the News We Find to Print

Postings

February 20

• Legislative notes
• The ad for the Maine Sunday Telegram
• Paul Gray is following the news
• Latest poll results

• More House roll calls
• To and about Angus King
• Carl Chase comments to King and BDN

• Refuser experience total now 1056

• Democrats adopt platform with anti-fingerprinting statement
• Greasing the slippery slope: Why wait until they're teachers?

• Bernie's answer to BDN
• Another refuser -- now 1076 years lost

• Fingerprint schedule -- and a lesson in Newspeak.

• Override vote in Senate of April 26
• MEA adopts resolution opposing fingerprinting as a condition of employment in the schools.

• Override vote in House April 26 Note all the flip-flopping and ask your reps why they did it and where they really stand -- and act accordingly.
• Another refuser. Years now total 1080.

• DOE fingerprinting notice supplied by Lisa Savage While you're there, be sure to get your armband.

• The personal stand. However, Caution
• The final bell. However, Caution

• Donna Childs letter to Sunday Telegram Dec. 31, 2000
• Are fingerprints everything they're cracked up to be? An expert says they may not be.
• Refuser Chuck Whitney comments about fingerprinting.
• London Times reports MEAF stand

• Canada scans faces of casino patrons
• Michigan sues over ssn inclusion on driver's license
• Fingerprints, DNA, and cameras. Is Britain ahead of Maine on the slippery slope, or do we truly lead?
• Press conference by fingerprinting opponents today in Georgia. Keep in touch with events.

February 19, 2001

"We are all, it appears, hooked on the belief that there is a technological fix for whatever fix we are in." Ellen Goodman February, 2001

• Is there anything real here, or is it just more political chicanery? Legislators question effectiveness of fingerprinting in Bangor Daily News article on the fingerprint issue and 'slip of the tongue' revelations. Note the 'slip' came from the same source as the false statement about the FBI which was used to defeat the first Murray Amendment last year.
• Now they want to fingerprint reporters who cover criminal trials. The 'copycat' mentality at work?
• The dark comedy of the Florida election becomes darker
• How is Internet censorship like fingerprinting teachers?
• If you haven't read about the 'Snooper Bowl' yet, here's your chance.

• Refuser Genie Wheelwright honored as Maine Foreign Language Teacher of the Year, 2001.
• Lewiston Sun Journal article on growing controversy about fingerprinting.Two corrections should be noted:
  
  1. MCLU's Roger Baldwin Award was to MEAF, not to Bernie Huebner alone;
  2. MEAF's figures on the Legislature's posture toward the law show 71% Senate and 57% House support for "changing the law," not for "repeal," as stated in the article. Changing the law includes repeal as well as new hires.
• Background check controversy from Boston.

• Maine Times issue on fingerprinting. There are several related pieces, including a hard-nosed editorial.
• Another refuser
• Letter by new refuser, Steven Smith. It should read by any citizen who is uncertain about the role of individual conscience in society.
• Thoughts on the evolution of civil rights law by Bernie Huebner. As you read it, reflect on how willingly we have sacrificed the concept of constitutional law to the phantom of security and the convienence of those who govern.
• NY Times article on bio-testing for paternity. Even if you can be 100% certain biologically, philosophical questions still remain -- which is what we have been trying to point out all along.

• The Georgia driver's license case continues to unfold.
• Jonathan Potter letter to Sunday Telegram Pointed humor by Camden Hills HS teacher.

• Executive director of ACLU Montana testifies against Montana fingerprint bill. Any of the arguments sound familiar? Montana has twice rejected a bill to fp teachers,but here it comes again.
• We are consolidating some of our links into one page Let us know what we've missed and what new ones should be there.

• The courts are beginning to back off from earlier'anything goes' drug search policy according to the New York Times. Privacy and constitutional guarantees are gaining legal precedents.

• Refuser list update

• Hearing scheduled for 4/11/2001 on release of data from fp checks
• If these don't scare more than 1984 did, you may not be paying attention.
  
  • Kroger Stores tests scheme for fingerprinting grocery customers

    Contributed independently by Ron Franklin and Sandra Lance (Georgia fingerprint objector)

  • An Appraisal of the Technology of Political Control"

    Contributed by Ron Franklin

• New York Times article raises questions about accuracy of fingerprinting
  See also postings for January 7

• Steve Smith's testimony before the Education Committee rates an article in the Bangor Daily News. Unfortunately, they changed his name part way through. Other minor errors are present as well, but otherwise the article covers the situation briefly and competently.
• Lisa Savage testimony before the committee
• Bernie Huebner testimony before the committee
• Don Tarbet testimony before the committee
• Further testimony is found under April 13, April 16, April 23, April 28. Report is under April 13 postings.
• Association to Stop Unconstitutional Fingerprinting (ASUF) opens website with references, court decisions, and links.

• Report on Ed Committee hearing of 4/11/01 by Lisa Savage.
• Suzanne Malis-Andersen testimony before the committee
• Database sharing poses privacy risk
• Further testimony is found under April 12, April 16, April 23, April 28.

• David Solmitz testimony before the Ed Committee
• Caroline Bond Testimony before the Ed Committee
• Fingerprints used in evidence planting scams
• Government routinely violates own privacy standards
• Further testimony is found under April 12, April 13, April 23, April 28.

• Representative Paradis joins refuser list
• US HHS figures for 1999 show that most child abuse STILL does not involve school personnel. Contributed by Holly Mitchell.
• Ward Jarman explains to the Ed Committee why anytestimony on fingerprinting is relevant to LD1765.
• Teresa England shows that MEA collaboration on LD1765 may have nothing to do with the views of teachers.
• Further testimony is found under April 12, April 13, April 16, April 28.

• Steve Smith Testimony before Ed Comittee
• Notes on HOPE Festival by Suzanne Malis-Anderson
• Steve Smith's Hearing before his board
• Republican Journal supports fingerprinting, but respects Steve Smith
• LD1765 gets through committee. Prepare for major DOE red herring?

• May 8 vigil at 6:30 and Steve Smith hearing before Belfast School board at 7:00.
• No prior record -- Guess it wouldn't do any good to fingerprint ministers, either.

• Refuser update

• 'Thanks, Steve' letter in BDN.
• Bernie Huebner comments at Belfast meeting. DOE ad hominum attacks, press muzzling, and more.
• Steve Smith comments to Belfast board. He modified these substantially when the board announced its landmark stand against fingerprinting.
• Full text of Thoreau's Civil Disobedience. Used by Steve Smith as a basis for his remarks.
• Steve Smith Bangor Daily News Op-Ed piece
• Jeffrey Spaulding, student of Steve Smith speaks out on how this law is affecting the people it is supposed to protect: the students.
• Hal Halliday, MSAD 34 Education Association to Belfast Board. I hope the state leadership of MEA is listening.
• Professor Nathan Wheelwright's correspondence with state officials.

• Bernie Huebner resignation letter leads to Skowhegan' calling for repeal of fingerprinting.
• Changes in refuser list

• Coverage of repeal vote in House. Careful of the numbers; some seem wrong.
• One roll call
• The other roll call Let your reps know what you think and to expect red herrings and arm twisting from DOE. Remember the phantom letter last year.
• Anti-fp resolutions entered by Ward Jarman accepted by MEA Representative Assembly
• MSAD 54 joins fp opposition Other districts have now joined the rolls of opposers.
• The Commissioner widens the sweep of the net. That was his red herring in answer to LD 1765. What is coming now?
• Bar Harbor Times of May 10 says the best way to celebrate Teacher Appreciation week is to repeal fingerprinting. Editor says this Piece will or has appeared in other papers in the Courier chain.
• DOE 'information' letter. Seems to contain the same figures about what other States are doing that were shown to be false by three independent investigations.
• Ron Franklin alerts us to the following summary of LD1691 -- note the word 'noncriminal':
  

  
      "The bill allows the Maine State Police to enter into a compact 
      with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other party states 
      for the purpose of organizing an electronic information sharing 
      system among the Federal Government and the states to exchange 
      criminal history records for noncriminal justice purposes for 
      dissemination as authorized by federal and state laws. "
  

• Barbara Franklin's testimony to MSAD 75 board
• Genie Wheelwright's testimony to board
• Search Times Record site for article on board meeting. However, Caution
• Digging deeper into the privacy issue.
• Fingerprinting is just one piece of the politics of education

In the wake of growing school board and legislative opposition to fingerprinting, supporters have set the rumors flying as expected. Supposed 'leaks' (illegal, of course), mis-statements of old data, and outright misinformation are rampant.

• Bernie Huebner comments on the rumors and 'leaks'
• Ron Franklin analyses DOE 'informational' letter
• Updates to refuser list

• Maine Times article June 7, 2001
• Steve Martin letter to BDN

• The veto
  From Portland Press Herald
  
• Strong words from Angus King's hometown newspaper.
  However, Caution
  However, Caution
• The Bar Harbor Times calls a spade a spade and a witch hunt a witch hunt

• Bob Melaragno tells why he is adding himself to the refuser list
• Paul Donovan's presentation to MSAD 55 board
• Genie Wheelwright reports on how closely the governor attends to public opinion
• Nancy Boothby writes to the Free Press for MEAF

• New refusers from Common Ground Fair

• The gubernatorial candidates stands on fingerprinting -- The unexpurgated version of Bernie Huebner's letter to the Blethen papers.
• As Maine goes, so goes the nation? Right down that slippery slope.

• A thumbnail history of Maine's fingerprint law
• Brief case against mass fingerprinting
• Positive alternatives to fingerprinting
• Recruitment-retention problems won't go away And it's not just teachers.

• Artists join protest

• The hearing on the fingerprint repeal bill (L.D. 653) entered by Rep. Gerald Davis with many co-sponsors will be held March 26, 2003 at 1 pm. It will be in North Wing of the Augusta Civic Center, not the Education Committee hearing room. Also heard will be testimony on the backup new hires bill and a reinstatement bill. We expect supporting testimony from a number of MEAFs, legislators, and MEA and MCLU.

• The Portland Press Herald reports that Governor Baldacci may be rethinking his stand on fingerprinting. At least he is keeping his options open. Let's make sure he moves in the right direction.
  
  WRITE!
  Office of the Governor
  #1 State House Station
  Augusta, ME 04333-0001
  
  EMAIL:
  governor@maine.gov
  CALL:
  207-287-3531
  207-287-6548 (TTY)
  Fax: 207-287-1034
  A letter might carry more weight and be less likely to get lost in the shuffle, but calls and email are quicker. Why not do both? I'm going to email and write.

• New address for the Association to Stop Unconstitutional Fingerprinting Wade Hobbs says, "The encouraging news is that 10 states in the U.S. have rejected biometric identifiers in recent years and the British government has apparently abandoned the idea of compulsory ID's for its citizens. You can take a look at the link to Privacy International for more information on the latter topic."

• Summary of the Hearing on fingerprint modification/repeal bills before the Joint Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs of the Maine Legislature.
• Bernie Huebner testimony Horror stories for an electronic police state.
• Lisa Savage testimony Pass the trash and fuzzy thinking: why fingerprinting won't work.
• Representative Lois Snowe-Mello testimony on her bill to reinstate teachers who have refused fingeprinting. At times of teacher shortage, we can't afford to lose our very best. At no time can we afford the shoddy trick of failing to reinstate our prisoners of conscience.
• Genie Wheelwright testimony Fingerprinting won't protect children. Let's try some things that will protect children.
• Don Tarbet expanded testimony Reality, red herrings, and unfunded mandates.
• More testimony/commentary below.

• Nancy Appel Boothby testimony What are you all so afraid of? If you haven't done anything wrong, why are you so upset about a little tattoo on your wrist? It'll hardly even show. These are troubled times and we need to take extraordinary measures to protect ourselves and our children. But it has nothing to do with you personally; you aren't being singled out or accused of anything.
• More testimony/commentary below.

April 3, 2003

• Work session date/time for repeal modifications bills has been changed: It is now 4/10/03 at 2:15 PM, Room 214 of the Cross Office Building.
• Kathryn Armstrong testimony Fingerprinting women to prevent abuse? The actual demongraphy of abuse is part of the reason the fp law is so absurd.
• More below

• At a recent meeting Senator Bettylou Mitchell was quit emphatic in telling town and school representatives from MSAD 64 and surrounding districts to let her know of any unfunded mandates we got dumped in her laps. To honor that request, I commented at the recent hearing on the unfunded mandate that is implicit in the fingerprinting of school employees. I have run the numbers by MSAD 64 Superintendent Leonard Ney who alterted me to the problem in the first place. He believes that I may have underestimated the hidden costs of the program by not adding in such expenses as related phone calls, but am in the ballpark. Details of calculations are found in my expanded testimony. Don Tarbet
• Some perspective on the numbers game
• More hearing testimony

• Fingerprinting in Maine, past and present; how far will DOE go in spreading the net?

• Carla Burnham testimony at hearing A choice between values and passion. Teachers need both, but the state makes them choose one or the other.
• More below

• The last worksession on the fingerprint bills is scheduled for Wednesday, April 30 at 2 PM or as soon as possible after the preceeding public hearing. Rm. 214 of the Cross Office Building. All bills are to be reported out of committee by May 2.
• More hearing testimony

• "Freedom is the first bargaining chip of a scared people. But it’s always a losing bet." Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President speaks in opposition to national ID cards, fingerprint driver's licenses and other futile and fatal 'security' measures.
  
• A proper use of biometric data -- but a highly inconsistent application by law enforcement.

• Linda Meadows testimony from March 26 hearing
• more hearing testimony

• Parents Against Fingerprinting is back online at a new location.
• At the hearing of March 26, 2003, Superintendent Jack Mara asked rhetorically, "Where are the children to speak for themselves?" before going on to do so from his own perspective. Ironically, he did not notice Kristen Meadows waving her hand for his attention. In speaking for herself, she says, "It's not the law that makes us safe, it's the caring teachers who look out for us." Why does it so often seem that those who wish to speak for others (the silent majority) aren't listening when those others speak for themselves? The students have spoken. Follow these references to hear what they have said:
  1. Students join the fight Petitions, reports, and personal statements.
  2. Candlelight vigil in Brewer attracted many students
  3. George Stevens Academy petition
  4. Jeffry Spaulding testimony in behalf of refuser Steve Smith before Belfast school board.

• Lynn Gifford testimony at March 26 hearing

• Bernie Huebner reports on the Ed Committee work session of 4/30/03: The Ed. Committee voted 9 to 3 (Brennan absent) to send LD 890, David Trahan's new hires bill out to the floor with a recommendation "ought to pass." LD 653, the repeal bill, was tabled, but could be brought forward. LD 1250, reinstatement, was also tabled but could be brought forward depending upon events.
• Ed Committee members report that the governor won't even sign new hires. Who has gotten to him and with what? Are there strings attached to the original federal grants he is afraid to cut? Is it more of the net-spreading rumbling on the good-old-boy network? Shades of Duke Albanese and Angus King. Is there political maneuvering over other issues involved? Whatever is happening, the state is back in the business of playing politics with our constitution and with lives of our children. Let them hear about it. But remember, a carefully reasoned piece is better than a rant. Call a spade a spade, but don't call it -- well, you know the rest.
  
  Contact:
  1. Legislature
  2. Governor

• Baldacci vows veto of new hires bill. Looks like the Albanese net-spread works; apparently you can fool enough of the governors enough of the time to waste millions of dollars, infringe on human rights, and leave the battered and abused children of Maine waiting in vain for the politicians to can the smoke-and-mirrors slight-of-hand and start looking for real-world answers to real-world problems.
  In all this net-spreading, are the pols intentionally ignoring the one real bit of information that could allow us to judge the effectiveness of this measure? HOW MANY CHILDREN IN OUR SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN ABUSED BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL WITH PRIOR OUT-OF-STATE CONVICTIONS IN THE LAST DECADE? All other data are simply changing the subject, and the failure to produce that one piece of information -- surely easily available to the DOE -- causes suspicion to grow toward certainty. Let's start with that information, and then we can judge the relevance of all the other arguments that have been brought forward. Don't keep your opinion secret from your legislators -- or the governor.
  Contact:
  1. Legislature
  2. Governor

• Bernie's report on the status of FP bills ... and a bit of irony
• Letter to Governor Baldacci ...a turning point, or government as usual?
• Letter to key committee members You can't just ignore numbers because some people misuse them; numbers are often our only means for getting a handle on the world.
• Bangor Daily News letter The silent majority is back.

• New Hires passes house Debate is business as usual. Little, if any, attention is paid to substance. We hear annecdotes and unsubstantiated warnings of dire dangers, warnings that run counter to the information available. Doesn't information have any part in the political process? If the Senate passes the bill, Baldacci has vowed veto. Call or write your reps -- and Baldacci. See listings
  ROLL CALLS

• House roll call on new hires 75 - 54 passes
• Senate vote on committee 'ought to pass' report on new hires 12 -20 fails. Confusion reigns
• House roll call on full repeal fails 87 - 40
• Senate roll call on acctpting Ed commitee majority, ought not to pass report, on full repeal 13- 19 fails
• Senate roll call on accepting minority, ought to pass, report on full repeal 16 - 16 fails
• Senate second roll call on accepting majority, ought not to pass, report for full repeal 16 - 16 fails -- Note changes from first vote.

• House amends and Senate now passes new hires 19 - 16 Check Senate roll call.

• Keep at the governor. He has promised a veto. Let him hear from the people; he's already hearing from the bureaucrats.

• Final enactment of new hires 18-16
• If you haven't already contacted the governor, last chance to do so.

Veto as expected - Government as usual

• Text of Baldacci veto
• Bernie Huebner comments

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