[CS-FSLUG] Fingerprint system

[David McGlone]

On Monday 24 September 2007 9:28:08 pm Vincent Danen wrote:
> * David McGlone <david.mcglone at att.net> [2007-09-24 19:31:54 -0400]:
>
> Let me pick on some words here and see if it helps.
>
> >On Monday 24 September 2007 6:35:24 pm Warren Sanders wrote:
> >> David McGlone wrote:
> >> > Hi All,
> >> >
> >> > I have no clue how to explain this, but I'll do my best. And forgive
> >> > me if this sounds idiotic but I am genuinely concerned about this
> >> > issue.
> >> >
> >> > My 3 kids school have started a fingerprint system where the parents
> >> > can send their kids lunch money etc, etc to the school and the school
> >> > will
>
> You say "can send their kids"... is this a requirement?  Is there a way
> to opt out and have your kids go to school with cold hard cash or will
> they refuse to feed them?

The system is for the kids who have the cold hard cash. Any cash sent to the 
school with the child is associated with their fingerprint. Just like putting 
your money in the bank and using your debit card.

I will find out today If I can opt out for my kids.

> Is there something against your kids bringing 
> a bag lunch or *must* they use the cafeteria?

There isn't anything against bag lunch, My kids do pack every day, but there 
are days I have to send lunch money with them because I ran out of lunchmeat 
or something.

>
> In short, is the school mandating that a) your kids must register their
> fingerprints,

As far as I know, I believe they are mandating every kid have their 
fingerprint on file.

> b) your kids must *not* bring cash to school,

They take the cash, but it will go into their fingerprint account.

> c) if your  
> kids want to eat in the cafeteria they must use biometrics,

They will still eat in the cafeteria, but have to have the account if they 
want to buy something.

> and d) the 
> kids are not allowed to eat anything in the school other than what comes
> from the cafeteria?
>
> Look at that closely.  If any of those are true, I'd raise a stink.  If
> they're not... well, send your kids with pocket change or send them with
> a bag lunch.

Bag lunch is what I usually send them.
>
> >> > use the kids fingerprints to access their money in the cafeteria and
> >> > such.
> >> >
> >> > I for one am not a big fan of this, but I don't know how to express my
> >> > concerns to the school. I worry about many things and my main concern
> >> > is the Bible. Can anyone refer me to some guidance in my bible?
> >> >
> >> > I hope I can get some feedback as soon as possible, I will be meeting
> >> > with someone on the school board tomorrow morning and I want to be
> >> > prepared.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks
> >>
> >> I certainly feel your pain.  However I'd be more concerned if they
> >> wanted to implant chips or tattoo our children.
> >
> >That's my bigger worry. I'm worried that this fingerprint system is just
> > the beginning of implanted chips.
>
> It could be... but not anytime soon.  Biometrics is a fad.  I actually
> don't mind it.  My deadbolt at home is a biometric lock... the wife or I
> can swipe our finger to unlock the door or tap it to lock it.  Great for
> taking walks around the neighbourhood without clunky keys.
>
> I have had 3 laptops over the last few years with fingerprint scanners.
> They're actually quite nice, because I can set some abhorent password
> that I don't really need to remember, because I swipe my finger to
> login.  And no one else can get into my stuff as a result.
>
> Biometrics in and of itself isn't evil.  I honestly think we're going to
> see retinal scanners as the fad before we see chips and tattoos (well,
> chips... I'm not sure what a tattoo would accomplish in the end-world
> global economy as a means of keeping track of money).
>
> Also, unless you're talking college, there is absolutely no way that
> kids will be chipped or tattoo'd in high/elementary school before the
> rest of the world.  The world has just gotten onto the bandwagon of
> giving kids their own credit cards; chips are still some ways off I
> think.
>
> >> These are signs that we
> >> are getting ever closer to the times mentioned in the Bible.
> >
> >Very true. I'm sitting here thinking that whether I say anything or not, I
> >cannot stop it from happening. But at least I can protect my child some
> > way or another in the process.
>
> Absolutely.  If you feel that strongly, don't go along with it.  Express
> your concerns and beliefs to the school, and ask them, quite candidly,
> the questions I noted above.  Again, if any of them are a yes, then
> raise one heck of a stink.  If not... like I said, give them a bag lunch
> or pocket change.  I imagine that's no different than what you're doing
> now.
>
> >I have seriously considered home schooling them, but I am afraid I am not
> > able to give them the quality education that someone with the credentials
> > could. And I cannot afford private or christian schools.
>
> A bag lunch is probably easier than home schooling.  =)
>
> Also, have you looked into private/christian schools?  Some may have
> financing available.  The school my daughter goes to (and my wife is now
> the secretary at), costs quite a bit to go to... about $2000CAD/yr per
> child.  Now, I can afford that (not super easily, but I can do it), but
> there are others who go to the school who can't.  One family has 3 kids
> there and they paid about 5% of the tuition; the school gave them a
> break on the other 95% because they just couldn't afford it (keep in
> mind... 3 kids is $6k just in tuition... the school effectively gave
> them about $5800 *off*).  Now, this school may be special in that
> respect, but it never hurts to ask if they have any kind of financing or
> discount program for families that can't afford it.  At a christian
> school, you might be surprised at the result (and it never hurts to
> ask).

True. I will reconsider this option for next year.
>
> >> I'm sure
> >> many point can be brought up in regard to Biblical warnings on this
> >> subject, but there are also examples where others were very flexible to
> >> the request of society.  Such as the name change: "to Hananiah,
> >> Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego." Yet they did
> >> not bend on eating the royal food.  Ultimately our freedom to spread the
> >> Good News still stands.
> >
> >This is where I'm confused. I don't know whether to ask them not to
> > include my child in this, or consider removing them from the school or
> > just go along with it.
>
> Well, you likely can't stop them from implementing it if that's what
> they want to do.  But if they *don't* disallow actual money, then what
> difference does it make?  Instead of using the "new fangled biometric
> system", your kids keep a few dollars in their pocket.

I'll find out the details today. I know I'm not going to be able to stop it, 
but I will absolutely raise a stink if I cannot opt out my children.


-- 
David M.