I've never started a political thread before, but WOW

[PrincessPAC]

Yeah, that was my thought process too. He's making really stupid mistakes. It's great to try to energize and attract a youth vote (and hope they actually show up and don't just pontificate in poli-sci class) but you don't alienate the other voters in the process!

He's definitely got much of the younger demographics covered. Heck, he's even got my DD on his side! She absolutely loooooooves him. She even named one of her baby dolls "Rock Obama" (of course, she's only 3).

I do feel like I owe him, though. Every morning, when I'm trying to get DD up & ready to go to daycare eek, at some point, there's always a political add on the TV. However, it's the McCain ads that get her excited -- not because they support McCain, but because they often show many images of Obama.

So, thank you, Obama - for helping make it easier for me to get my daughter up during our hectic mornings!

He's just like your typical grandpa who doesn't need/want a computer. But McCain wants to be the leader of our country without any technology skills. Now that's scary!!!

Well, I said it in a PP, but I'll mention it again. Not that I entirely support all of McCain's ideals, but . . . my dad often has his secretary type/send his e-mails - not because he just doesn't want to - but because he has much bigger/more important business to take care of.

 

[Chris2597]

I hardly think that I was belittling his service, rather I'm kind of shocked that someone would take this kind of shot. Quite frankly, I'd be surprised at someone his age being particularly computer savvy...just not indicitive of his generation. But if you already have the technology against you and you can't type (and if you can't comb your hair...think of how long it would take you to peck out this post)...why would you think that he'd send e-mails? It just seemed like a really cheap shot to me.

i don't agree with you. My inlaws and their friends are in their mid 70's and total computer nuts. My FIL was a fireman so it isnt that he did this type of thing for a living. My dh has a friend that is 75 and he is a complete self taught computer guru. We call him for tech support whenever we have a computer glitch, which has been a self induced glitch from our younger generation that is suppose to be computer savvy.

 

[LaraK]

i don't agree with you. My inlaws and their friends are in their mid 70's and total computer nuts. My FIL was a fireman so it isnt that he did this type of thing for a living. My dh has a friend that is 75 and he is a complete self taught computer guru. We call him for tech support whenever we have a computer glitch, which has been a self induced glitch from our younger generation that is suppose to be computer savvy.

I agree that you have outliers, but in my experience, the vast majority of the "Traditionalist" generation is not particularly computer savvy. Although many are trying out computers, it's just not the same as the younger generations.

 

[Brianne]

Not that it matters much because people are going to want to believe what they choose to believe but...

My grandmother's older than McCain and faithfully uses a computer. My MIL is about a year younger than McCain and guess what? She has been taking computer classes for awhile now.

People are going to read into the ad whatever they want to read into it. But to be dismissive of technology in the 21st century is not a good thing, no matter how someone wants to excuse it. There is no excuse; this is where life is headed and I personally would want a president who is willing to be involved in the evolution of moving our country forward in this age.

Comparing the articles that have been posted, McCain was into the whole email thing back in 2000, yet in 2008 he's gone backwards? Doesn't make much sense to me.

YMMV though.

 

[Rebelmom67]

I gotta say, a whole bunch of folks here tonight are trying real hard to put, ummm, some lipstick on this pig…

I've got to admit, I thought the same darn thing.

 

[DISUNC]

I can see the Obama commercial now.....

"It's 3:00am, there is a Crisis in the World....and <DING> your PC says "YOU GOT MAIL!"

Who do you want rushing to the PC to read the email?????

 

[Michelle67]

I can see the Obama commercial now.....

"It's 3:00am, there is a Crisis in the World....and <DING> your PC says "YOU GOT MAIL!"

Who do you want rushing to the PC to read the email?????

 

[PrincessPAC]

I gotta say, a whole bunch of folks here tonight are trying real hard to put, ummm, some lipstick on this pig…

I've got to admit, I thought the same darn thing.

OT - but did anyone catch this quote during Ugly Betty last night? I just thought it was pretty funny.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Not that it matters much because people are going to want to believe what they choose to believe but...

My grandmother's older than McCain and faithfully uses a computer. My MIL is about a year younger than McCain and guess what? She has been taking computer classes for awhile now.

People are going to read into the ad whatever they want to read into it. But to be dismissive of technology in the 21st century is not a good thing, no matter how someone wants to excuse it. There is no excuse; this is where life is headed and I personally would want a president who is willing to be involved in the evolution of moving our country forward in this age.

Comparing the articles that have been posted, McCain was into the whole email thing back in 2000, yet in 2008 he's gone backwards? Doesn't make much sense to me.

YMMV though.

I hardly think he's being dismissive of technology. He has found what works for him and he's still working to improve his ability. To be dismissive of certain disabilities in the 21st century is not a good thing.

 

[SueM in MN]

No he didn't. Where's the mocking there? If he can move his hand or arm at all, which we know he can, he can use email.

Even if he could only move a cheek muscle, he could use a computer if he wanted to - see this video. It's actually pretty amazing to see how fast she can type without use of anything other than her eyes and a cheek muscle.
And, here's someone who writes email with his eyes.

So, if McCain wanted to do email, he could whether he can type with his hands or not.

 

[Charade]

No, Obama stated that McCain is out of touch in new ad -The ad states that McCain is not computer literate and can't use email. And he mentions the economy and taxes in that ad too. People are interpreting this as if Obama is mocking McCain because it’s been said that McCain does not type because of his arms. I just heard this on the radio driving home on a local talk radio show. Judge for yourself.... Conservative radio was going nuts over this - this evening....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ2I0t_Twk0

Well gee, if he CAN'T use a computer, how in world would he become computer literate?

I don't believe he's mocking him, it's just incredibly insensitive. Sorta like what Biden said to the state senator in a wheelchair. Incredibly dumb but without malice.

 

[profdsny]

Shouldn't you tell him to just ignore the intense pain that these fine motor skills cause too???

Oh please. Using a thumb or one finger? If he's in that much pain, maybe he should just stay home. I'll be he doesn't have any pain cashing his salary and writing checks for his 7, 8, or 9 homes. He's not an invalid, stop treating him like one.

 

[TCPluto]

Have you ever heard of the term "universal design?" Look it up. We have students at our university majoring in computer science with severe multiple disabilities.

McCain certainly has no problem pushing buttons on a telephone since that is his motus operandi. If he can do that, certainly he could use a Blackberry for email since it uses the same fine motor skills as using a cell phone.

And don't blah blah about his disability getting in the way. Throughout my career in Special Education I've come across many kids and young adults who use assistive technology devices to help with computer and communication skills -- People with cerebral palsy who have absolutely no use of their arms and can't speak, but can communicate with computers and technology.

There are companies like ability hub http://abilityhub.com/ who design mouse and keyboard alternatives. Or companies like abilitynet http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/ who
help people with disabilities utilize computers and other forms of technology. There's also speech recognition programs that one can use and doesn't even have to touch a keyboard. However, many people with disabilities don't have the financial resources that McCain has to connect with the technology. Many programs to help people with disabilities are cut out of the budget by conservatives, but now you are trying to use this as an excuse?

He's just like your typical grandpa who doesn't need/want a computer. But McCain wants to be the leader of our country without any technology skills. Now that's scary!!!

If you only knew how insensitive you sound here. I'm confident you don't.

I actually have a little experience with all of this stuff. At times, it's not what it seems. You should be ashamed.

 

[Charade]

Yes... Obama can e-mail, but it appears he can't Google!!!

Ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!!!

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Oh please. Using a thumb or one finger? If he's in that much pain, maybe he should just stay home. I'll be he doesn't have any pain cashing his salary and writing checks for his 7, 8, or 9 homes. He's not an invalid, stop treating him like one.

He's doing that just fine while Obama is busy visiting all 57 states.

 

[profdsny]

Obama is slinging all the mud he can....hoping something sticks.... He even has the democrats....that are running for re-election.... distancing themselves from him. .

Really? Name one? Name two?

 

[TCPluto]

Oh please. Using a thumb or one finger? If he's in that much pain, maybe he should just stay home. I'll be he doesn't have any pain cashing his salary and writing checks for his 7, 8, or 9 homes. He's not an invalid, stop treating him like one.

Or, he could go out and be a champion, conquer whatever disability he has, in whatever way he can.

I know the democrat plan is to keep people at home, give them a government assistance check.

 

[profdsny]

Or, he could go out and be a champion, conquer whatever disability he has, in whatever way he can.

I know the democrat plan is to keep people at home, give them a government assistance check.

Really? Another lie you've been fed? As always, prove your point.

 

[LaraK]

Even if he could only move a cheek muscle, he could use a computer if he wanted to - see this video. It's actually pretty amazing to see how fast she can type without use of anything other than her eyes and a cheek muscle.
And, here's someone who writes email with his eyes.

So, if McCain wanted to do email, he could whether he can type with his hands or not.

But how does that give Obama a pass for the jab? I don't in anyway dispute that people who have been given some of the greatest challenges in life find ways to overcome them and adapt. On the other hand, we shouldn't make fun of them if they choose to adapt in a different way. Clearly McCain has the ability to communicate clearly. With or without a computer.

I just want to be sure people don't think I'm saying people with challenges can't use adaptive equipment. Rather I was upset that something that is so hard for McCain was used to deride him.

 

[Geoff_M]

Well gee, if he CAN'T use a computer, how in world would he become computer literate?

I don't believe he's mocking him, it's just incredibly insensitive. Sorta like what Biden said to the state senator in a wheelchair. Incredibly dumb but without malice.

I think that is a fair assessment. No malice, just another not too well thought out attack from Obama.