What's the buzz this morning in Pierre?
What's the buzz this morning in Pierre?
Aside from Bob Mercer writing in his column this morning that the legislature is proposing to work fewer weekdays and stretch session across more weeks (ugh, say it isn't so), it looks like the big issue for Capital City Residents is a proposal by the local YMCA to use fingerprint and photo ID's as part of new security measures effective April 1st.
Yes, as part of a letter that went out to members, Pierre will be super advanced as one of only two YMCA's in the country to use the new fingerprint system.
Are they freaking kidding me?
I had been thinking of joining again in another vain attempt to try to work out on a regular basis and lose weight. But seeing this move by the local fitness center - it's not just no thank you, but HECK NO!
I've got to be fingerprinted if I want to use the track? Cataloging me as one would a criminal will protect me from vagrant weightlifters? Who thought up this ridiculous idea?
I dont' think it's "Pierre-like" to do this. It's not even "Sioux Falls-like." In fact, it belongs somewhere between California and Leavenworth, Kansas. Except in Kansas, I'm referring to the area within that town that has all the iron bars.
Thanks but no thanks. I live in South Dakota for a reason. And that doesn't include fingerprints for the local fitness center.
Aside from Bob Mercer writing in his column this morning that the legislature is proposing to work fewer weekdays and stretch session across more weeks (ugh, say it isn't so), it looks like the big issue for Capital City Residents is a proposal by the local YMCA to use fingerprint and photo ID's as part of new security measures effective April 1st.
Yes, as part of a letter that went out to members, Pierre will be super advanced as one of only two YMCA's in the country to use the new fingerprint system.
Are they freaking kidding me?
I had been thinking of joining again in another vain attempt to try to work out on a regular basis and lose weight. But seeing this move by the local fitness center - it's not just no thank you, but HECK NO!
I've got to be fingerprinted if I want to use the track? Cataloging me as one would a criminal will protect me from vagrant weightlifters? Who thought up this ridiculous idea?
I dont' think it's "Pierre-like" to do this. It's not even "Sioux Falls-like." In fact, it belongs somewhere between California and Leavenworth, Kansas. Except in Kansas, I'm referring to the area within that town that has all the iron bars.
Thanks but no thanks. I live in South Dakota for a reason. And that doesn't include fingerprints for the local fitness center.
Comments
Stretching out the legislative session by working fewer days per week and more weeks total is a good idea that would slow down the process slightly and give the citizens of the state more time to learn about and respond to the issues.
I don't think cost is an issue at all--my laptop computer came with a fingerprint reader built in (a $30 option).
Keep in mind that you leave behind fingerprints when you touch anything.
Systems like this save tons of money, that why they're popular.
More to the point, since when in this bastion of conservatism is the business of a private entity cause for heartburn? When are all the property-rights, "my business is my own", nanny-state haters going to chime in?
Private means private, if you don't like it, don't go. How many times have we heard pp say that one?
I bet PP doesn't like this at the Y because it will keep him from swiping candy bars out of his friends' lockers.
I believe that is what PP said, he doesn't like it and he won't be joining.
And who said anything about telling them they can't do it. That is exactly our point when we complain about the nanny-state. The business is free to have the equipment and we are free to not do business there. The government does not need to intervene.
I just think we're too quick to allow others to take away our privacy for the sake of their convenience.
The Y is a private organization (although their contract with the city for the pool opens up some interesting questions).
I can choose to patronize them because I support what they do, or not to patronize them if I think they're being too nosy (such as collecting my fingerprint).
Remember how Radio Shack used to ask for everything - including your first born's name - when you'd go to buy batteries? I would assert that it didn't do their reputation any good, and probably hurt sales.
As a consumer, I'm saying YMCA: make it reasonable for me, not for you. Some may say "sure, ok, you bet. Here you go." I'm not one of them.
Reasonableness for me says that registering my fingerprints is unreasonable.
How myopic of you, Pat.
If there are children present, just the ability to protect against known sex offenders would make it all worthwhile.
"Stretching out the legislative session by working fewer days per week and more weeks total is a good idea that would slow down the process slightly and give the citizens of the state more time to learn about and respond to the issues."
This is probably why folks like Powers don't like the idea.
The information collection and sharing that can be really dangerous is what Bush,Inc. has supported that allows all kinds of databases to be mined so that health, income, insurance, food purchases, location, etc can all be plugged into a system to make it really, really tough to get a job or health insurance.
I'm surprised Republicans haven't supported fingerprinting in order to vote in an election.
I am also amazed that this issue generated so many posts...and me without coffee yet. Terrible situation.
Unlike Newland, I do respect your opinion on this.
I was thinking more of the parking around here..
If taking fingerprints from a crime scene and matching it up to a data base of "law-abiding citizens" would help catch a perpetrator, I'm all for it.
I find that much less offensive than having to worry about Bush's people listening in on my conversations.
Bob Newland,
Thanks for the support on this idea. I've seen too much stuff introduced and passed in the dark of night. A two day cooling off period on amendments in the final days of the session wouldn't hurt either. It would give the news cycle time to catch up to the process and report on last minute deals before they are given a final vote.