I Laughed Derisively…
By Mitch Berg
…when the likes of the Minnesoros “Independent” thought this was a real ding on Mac.
Now that Obama is using it…
John McCain is mocked as an out-of-touch, out-of-date computer illiterate in a television commercial out Friday from Barack Obama as the Democrat begins his sharpest barrage yet on McCain’s long Washington career.
The new fighting spirit comes as McCain has been gaining in the polls and some Democrats have been expressing concern the Obama campaign has not been aggressive enough. Obama’s campaign says the escalation will involve advertising and pushes made by the candidate, running mate Joe Biden and other surrogates across the country.
If Obama can’t play guitar, he should just stop. Because that’s what’s really important.
September 12th, 2008 at 8:39 am
No no, what’s REALLY important is focusing on ‘celebrity’ claims.
THAT’s REALLY REALLY important.
I often think you only know how to laugh derisively, and sneer condescendingly, and speak patronizingly paternalistically.
September 12th, 2008 at 8:47 am
You “often think” a lot of claptrap.
September 12th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Don Preciado says
“I often think ”
ok Descartes prove it!
September 12th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Peev often thinks just because he’s commenting, he’s actually making a point; and he’s often, if not always, wrong.
September 12th, 2008 at 10:07 am
No no, what’s REALLY important is focusing on Sarah Palin. I bet she could help Maverick post jpegs of a field dressed Obama campaign.
September 12th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Someone should ask Obama why neither he or his staff apparently never bothered to look at website for Obama’s church.
September 12th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Okay, so if we take personalities out of it, Penigma….
I know a hell of a lot of computer illiterates out there. A lot of them are older folks. You would think that Obama’s campaign would know this, but it’s worth remembering — old people vote. And they vote much more reliably than the chimerical “youth vote” that we hear about every cycle that never, mirable dictu, shows up.
And there are many others who are unskilled laborers or in a business where using computers is not part of the equation. I was unemployed for a time this decade and spent some time at the Minnesota Workforce Center. Every day you would see people coming in who needed a resume and didn’t have a clue how to use a computer. And they needed a lot of help to understand how things worked. And they were often quite embarrassed about it.
The clear idea here was to show McCain (or as one of my lefty pals calls him, Grandpa Cancer) as out of touch, much in the way that Bush 41 was pilloried for not seemingly being aware of supermarket scanners. But this is different because while everyone is aware of computers, not everyone is comfortable with using them, for the reasons I’ve mentioned above. And it’s a poor meme for Obama because of that — a lot of people are in the same boat McCain apparently is and won’t appreciate being reminded of their computer illiteracy. The people who would laugh at McCain for this wouldn’t have been voting for McCain anyway.
September 12th, 2008 at 10:42 am
What is the price of arugula nowadays anyway?
September 12th, 2008 at 10:45 am
What do you mean? Regular or organic arugula?
September 12th, 2008 at 11:07 am
a lot of people are in the same boat McCain apparently is and won’t appreciate being reminded of their computer illiteracy.
So many angles on this story. As a usability guy, the notion of ridiculing people for not being fluent on computers is the sign of a smug (I hesitate to say “Stupid”) person. Plenty of peoples’ lives don’t revolve around computers or the internet. And for those of us whose lives do – get over it. It’s just a skill. It’s like ridiculing someone for not being an accomplished electrician or drummer or for that matter A4 Skyhawk pilot.
Most of us know this. That Obama and his followers seem not to is good news for us.
September 12th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Maybe someone should look to Oback Barama and say, “Enough”.
September 12th, 2008 at 11:19 am
European, Kermit. Well, you have to know these things when you’re a king, er President, you know.
September 12th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I’ve been designing low level computer and networking hardware for decades. I was doing networking when the Internet host table was still a file passed around with fewer than 500 entries. I’ve written OSes, compilers, and industrial control applications.
Mitch, I want a dispensation in this case to laugh derisively at those less technically competent in computers and networking. Or at least permission to mock Obama, his campaign, and the Obamabots for mistaking being able to use a tool and the ability to lead.
No? Yeah, you’re right. Too easy a target. Let’s reset the thread.
So Obama, tell me, can you explain the control systems of an ICBM and how to operate them? No? How about their propulsion systems? No again? Why should we let you give commands to those who do if you don’t know how to do the work?
There are tasks a leader of the most powerful nation on the planet should do. Cruising the Internet isn’t one of them. That’s what underlings are for.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I work with several older guys trying to use computers. The fact they can’t “speak” the language doesn’t make them stupid, just as the average computer guys inability to read Latin doesn’t make them stupid. I, being an OMG soopergenius can do both.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
So Obama, tell me, can you explain the control systems of an ICBM and how to operate them?
I’d be happy if he could just give the definition of “trajectory” off the top of his head. Considering the state of his campaign, the word takes on special significance.
September 12th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Heard about this today as well. If memory serves, G.W. Bush was an e-mail fanatic back in the day as TX governor. Dashing off notes, passing around the latest LOL Catz picture, etc. Had to stop that when he got to the White House on the advice of council. E-mail is subject to subpoena (sp? PB – call all your lawyer friends) and much like his predecesser, he feared the legal invasion of the opposition party into his doing his job. The One will probably stop e-mailing and texting should he win as well, it’s prudent.
So, in essence: The One = G.W. Bush. Way to go Liberals!!
September 12th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
There’s actually a simple reason why Senator McCain doesn’t use a computer or send email. From the March 4, 2000 issue of the Boston Globe:
“McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain’s encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He’s an avid fan – Ted Williams is his hero – but he can’t raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball.”
Source:
http://graphics.boston.com/news/politics/campaign2000/news/McCain_character_loyal_to_a_fault+.shtml
So basically in addition to alienating older voters who are the least likely to be tech-savy but the most likely to vote, Obama has also reminded voters YET AGAIN that McCain was a POW while making himself look like an utter douche bag for mocking him for not using email when McCain cannot even use a keyboard because he had his arms broken while serving our country.
You really can’t make this stuff up.