Obama ad slams McCain's Computer skills

[erynthered]

We don't have that right now, and we sure don't have that running on the GOP ticket.

 

 

Oh YEAH. Well does Barry know how to hog tie and gut a Moose?

 

I thought so.

[PastaJoe]

Gimmie a break. Like every other person of his age, he's lived his entire life with needing to be glued to email. Some of the dumbest people I've ever met are whizzes with their IPod and texting and whatever other new-age idiot devices are available and actively contributing to the dumbing dumb of our country.

 

We're not talking about your friends, we're talking about the POTUS.

 

 

 

I just imagine the tech savy President looking up from his iPhone after being informed that Iran has just attacked Isreal with "sorry, did you say something?"

 

I don't have to imagine a president looking up from a children's book...

[KD in CA]

I just imagine the tech savy President looking up from his iPhone after being informed that Iran has just attacked Isreal with "sorry, did you say something?"

 

 

Yes, 'tech savy' people rock.

[Chilly]

Seriously? A world leader in an age of advanced technology better have a rudimentary grasp on technolgy and science. How the fug will he be able to make an informed decision? Sure, he doesn't need to know how to write code, perform a heart transplant, clone a sheep or build a particle accelerator in his back yard (that would be freaking awesome, but Buckaroo Banzai's not running in this election), but he damn well better be able to have an intelligent, informed discussion on his own. We don't have that right now, and we sure don't have that running on the GOP ticket.

 

 

 

To me it's like not understanding math. Sure, you can get away with not knowing. Sure you can have advisors explain how 10 billion and 12 billion are 22 billion and 22 billion is a lot. But it really helps the understanding of a lot of other things when you know math. Technology is completely changing the world, practically on a daily basis. Knowing how it works is a major cog in understanding the global marketplace. Knowing how people communicate with each other is a big step. My business partner is older and doesn't bother to understand a lot of the technology. He knows more than McCain, and can get his own email, but there have been dozens of conversations I have had with him over the last few years where his basic ignorance of technology didn't allow him to even join the conversation, he didn't know how it affected how our own business is changing, he was just left behind and completely ignorant on an entire new phase and market in the business he used to know inside out. I think it's a big thing, yes.

 

 

Both of these arguments bring up a question: What is the President going to be deciding on where a "rudimentary grasp on technology" as Johnny Coli puts it is going to make a difference?

 

For instance, one of the big technology issues right now, in my view, is net neutrality. Most people, including internet users, just aren't all that concerned or informed about net neutrality. Using the internet doesn't suddenly qualify someone with knowledge about net neutrality.

 

What about internet taxation policy? Would knowing how to buy something on the internet change that?

[YellowLinesandArmadillos]

What about internet taxation policy? Would knowing how to buy something on the internet change that?

 

Now that would be worthwhile info for a President and a presidential campaign!

[IDBillzFan]

Holy crap. THIS is how you beat McCain? Pick on his computer skills?

 

What happened? You weren't able to tie him to tasering an 11-year-old?

[Kelly the Dog]

Holy crap. THIS is how you beat McCain? Pick on his computer skills?

 

What happened? You weren't able to tie him to tasering an 11-year-old?

Think of how your business would run if you didn't know how the Internet worked, how to get your own email, and had only a base understanding of how technology works. And yes it is the same. This is how the world works these days, and it has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. I just can't believe people like yourself have no issue with this.

 

You know how I know he knows nothing about it? Because he said, “I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I don’t expect to be a great communicator, I don’t expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need.” That says he has no idea that you can learn how to get online in five minutes. That isn't even a rudimentary knowledge of how the thing works. That's someone who never turned on a computer. That's pathetic and scary. That's something you should know if you're President. And yes, he probably knows by now how to get his own email.

[DC Tom]

Think of how your business would run if you didn't know how the Internet worked, how to get your own email, and had only a base understanding of how technology works. And yes it is the same. This is how the world works these days, and it has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. I just can't believe people like yourself have no issue with this.

 

You know how I know he knows nothing about it? Because he said, “I am learning to get online myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I don’t expect to be a great communicator, I don’t expect to set up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the point where I can get the information that I need.” That says he has no idea that you can learn how to get online in five minutes. That isn't even a rudimentary knowledge of how the thing works. That's someone who never turned on a computer. That's pathetic and scary. That's something you should know if you're President. And yes, he probably knows by now how to get his own email.

 

I don't know. I mean, I get your point...I just don't see it as a requirement for the office of President that he be able to download porn. It's something he can probably delegate...

[VABills]

I don't know. I mean, I get your point...I just don't see it as a requirement for the office of President that he be able to download porn. It's something he can probably delegate...

Al Gore and Bill Clinton aren't doing anything useful, maybe we could give them a job.

[Kelly the Dog]

I don't know. I mean, I get your point...I just don't see it as a requirement for the office of President that he be able to download porn. It's something he can probably delegate...

If you can't download your porn, you cannot possibly survive on this planet with your real lovers and loved ones, and get to the truly perverse sites only you like that you don't want anyone else to know about. I think everyone knows and understands that. Except, well...

[Chilly]

Think of how your business would run if you didn't know how the Internet worked, how to get your own email, and had only a base understanding of how technology works. And yes it is the same. This is how the world works these days, and it has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. I just can't believe people like yourself have no issue with this.

 

How is McCain not being "technologically-savvy" going to inhibit his ability to be President? How is the post of President so technologically different from being a Senator that it is suddenly a requirement for the job?

[Kelly the Dog]

How is McCain not being "technologically-savvy" going to inhibit his ability to be President? How is the post of President so technologically different from being a Senator that it is suddenly a requirement for the job?

Infowar is one of the biggest threats the United States has today. Nearly as grave as most WMD attacks would be. If you don't understand how it works, you don't understand how grave it is. People can tell you what could happen to the country and you would just nod and say, "Yeah, that sounds bad" but you wouldn't really understand it. Sorry, but that is a huge disadvantage. I think John McCain knows a lot about infowar. I don't think if he doesn't know how to turn on a computer that he really understands it.

 

One of the biggest mistakes of recent American history, from both parties, is simply not studying and understanding the cultures of our enemies, especially in the Middle East. The simple lack of understanding put us at an enormous disadvantage. We couldn't make the most correct decisions because we didnt have a basic understanding of the differences between the tribes. You could say you knew the history of the region but you really didn't understand it at the level it needed to be understood, because the basics were not taught. It's the same thing. A misunderstanding, and then a misreading, of the world has been an American quality and defect for quite some time now. I, for one, am sick of it. I think it hurts us. I think Americans die because of it. Sorry, but you need to know how technology works, how the Internet works, how terrorists communicate via it, how quickly things can change because of it, how it changes the world marketplace, and a 100 other things to truly understand the world the way it needs to be understood in 2008.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

. Sorry, but you need to know how technology works, how the Internet works, how terrorists communicate via it, how quickly things can change because of it, how it changes the world marketplace, and a 100 other things to truly understand the world the way it needs to be understood in 2008.

 

Amd being a former IT guy, I'll guaran-fricking-tee that Obama doesn't understand HOW those things happen, either. He'll hire someone who does, just like John McCain.

[IDBillzFan]

Think of how your business would run if you didn't know how the Internet worked, how to get your own email, and had only a base understanding of how technology works. And yes it is the same. This is how the world works these days, and it has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. I just can't believe people like yourself have no issue with this.

You can help someone like McCain figure out how to get online and send an email. Frankly, I honestly can't believe that someone like yourself DOES have an issue with it. He'll have eighteen gzillion handlers. I someone don't think the fate of the world rests on McCain's ability to log into his bank account and pay his electric bill. And as a conservative, I'd rather have a guy lacking internet experience running the country than the very, very, very liberal option.

[Kelly the Dog]

For instance, one of the big technology issues right now, in my view, is net neutrality. Most people, including internet users, just aren't all that concerned or informed about net neutrality. Using the internet doesn't suddenly qualify someone with knowledge about net neutrality.

Net Neutrality is the very first order of business on the Internet for the Obama presidency, by the way.

[Kelly the Dog]

You can help someone like McCain figure out how to get online and send an email. Frankly, I honestly can't believe that someone like yourself DOES have an issue with it. He'll have eighteen gzillion handlers. I someone don't think the fate of the world rests on McCain's ability to log into his bank account and pay his electric bill. And as a conservative, I'd rather have a guy lacking internet experience running the country than the very, very, very liberal option.

The fact that you guys have continually harped on the concept of just signing on and sending an email shows me you're not thinking, or responding to what I have been saying. Lets just leave it. It's good to not know how the world works.

[Kelly the Dog]

Amd being a former IT guy, I'll guaran-fricking-tee that Obama doesn't understand HOW those things happen, either. He'll hire someone who does, just like John McCain.

Then you know less than zero about what he has been doing, what his experience, knowledge and understanding of it is.

[justnzane]

Holy crap. THIS is how you beat McCain? Pick on his computer skills?

 

What happened? You weren't able to tie him to tasering an 11-year-old?

In a world that relies heavily on technology, it is imperative that the leader of the free world is relatively up to date with modern technology. McCain's current computer skills are an indication of his willingness to keep with the times. When you have a government that is so anti-technology, you end up with leaders that preach ignorance (see the Islamo-fascists).

[VABills]

Then you know less than zero about what he has been doing, what his experience, knowledge and understanding of it is.

Maybe if he spent less time downloading porn and send spam to everyone to get them to contribute to his campaign, he might understand how the real world works. It isn't behind a keyboard, or in the senate. It's out working a farm, serving in the military, being a journalist. Not serving your whole life in and aroud politics and positions of power to move up the political ladder.

[Chilly]

Infowar is one of the biggest threats the United States has today. Nearly as grave as most WMD attacks would be. If you don't understand how it works, you don't understand how grave it is. People can tell you what could happen to the country and you would just nod and say, "Yeah, that sounds bad" but you wouldn't really understand it. Sorry, but that is a huge disadvantage. I think John McCain knows a lot about infowar. I don't think if he doesn't know how to turn on a computer that he really understands it.

 

Perhaps I am missing something; can you give an example?

 

I don't believe that McCain wouldn't understand the ramifications of being told the entire financial sector was brought to a stand still because he doesn't know how to use the internet.

 

One of the biggest mistakes of recent American history, from both parties, is simply not studying and understanding the cultures of our enemies, especially in the Middle East. The simple lack of understanding put us at an enormous disadvantage. We couldn't make the most correct decisions because we didnt have a basic understanding of the differences between the tribes. You could say you knew the history of the region but you really didn't understand it at the level it needed to be understood, because the basics were not taught. It's the same thing. A misunderstanding, and then a misreading, of the world has been an American quality and defect for quite some time now. I, for one, am sick of it. I think it hurts us. I think Americans die because of it. Sorry, but you need to know how technology works, how the Internet works, how terrorists communicate via it, how quickly things can change because of it, how it changes the world marketplace, and a 100 other things to truly understand the world the way it needs to be understood in 2008.

 

What you are essentially arguing here, from what I understand, is two-fold (if I'm wrong, please correct me):

 

- The internet has fundamentally changed the global political scene

- Not understanding how to use the internet prevents someone from having a correct view of the world

 

I would argue against that first point. The fundamentals of international relations hasn't changed due to the internet. If you're a subscriber to the Realism school of IR, the fundamentals might be something like this:

 

1. Humans face one another primarily as members of groups.

2. International affairs takes place in a state of anarchy.

3. Power is the fundamental feature of international politics.

4. The nature of international interactions is essentially conflictual.

5. Humankind cannot transcend conflict through the progressive power of

reason.

6. Politics are not a function of ethics.

7. Necessity and reason of state trump morality and ethics. (Schweller 1997:

927)

 

Likewise, the root causes of terrorism haven't changed either due to the internet.

 

As such, I would argue that the second point is invalid.

 

Now I absolutely agree with you that the government needs to understand these things; it's pretty hard to fight a war, defend yourself, etc., when you don't understand the technology that is being used. However, these aren't strategies that the POTUS is involved in (at least, they better not be - no way in hell do I want the President making day-to-day strategic decisions in fighting a war on that scale).

 

The internet has changed how people communicate and how quickly things happen, but it hasn't changed the motivations or rationale behind those actions.