I am fearful that science and the Supreme Court will do away with the ability to remain anonymous. Last week, in Maryland v. King, the Court held that the warrantless collection and analysis of DNA samples from individuals arrested "for a serious offense" does not violate the Fourth Amendment. It is a ruling sure to make law enforcement cheer, but liberty cringe.

Anonymity is an essential component of freedom. It is not by accident that Luke sets the stage for Jesus’ struggle against Roman tyranny with "a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed" ("registered" in more modern translations). Oppression depends on information – the first piece of which usually is details about the identity of the oppressed.