Former FCC chairman: McCain is a ‘technological troglodyte.’
Former FCC chairman: McCain is a ‘technological troglodyte.’
It’s widely known by now that Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is a self-admitted computer “illiterate” who has “never felt the particular need to e-mail.” But less examined is the fact that he served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation from 1997 to 2001, and again from 2003 to 2005. A new Salon article by ThinkProgress’s Amanda Terkel looks at his lackluster record. Some highlights:
— In the mid-90s, McCain fought against Education Rate (E-Rate), a program designed to provide discounts to schools and libraries to connect to the Internet. When running for president in 2000, however, McCain took credit for the legislation, saying it was a “good program.”
– McCain has sided with the telecom industry in the network neutrality debate, voting against legislation by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) in 2006 to preserve an open Internet. “When you control the pipe you should be able to get profit from your investment,” he said in 2007.
– In 1998 and 1999, McCain wrote at least 15 letters to the FCC, urging members to take action on issues that had potentially major consequences for his campaign donors. One merger McCain pushed for in 1999 benefited a client of his campaign manager, Rick Davis.
Former FCC chairman Reed Hundt told Salon, “Basically, John is a technological troglodyte, and proud of it.”
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There must be some sort of corollary between technological savvy and conservatism. Look at Bush and now look at McSame. Two basically technological illiterates holding the highest positions within their party.
Sends a chilling message to keeping ahead of the curve when it comes to science and technology, although it could explain why so many countries are surpassing us in those fields when we used to be the pioneers.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:08 amJohn likes spreading viruses the old fashioned way!
August 13th, 2008 at 10:12 amMcPutz is a troglodyte PERIOD!
A knuckle-dragging one at that.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:12 am“Former FCC chairman: McCain is a ‘technological troglodyte.’”
– - More like a Luddite troglodyte.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:12 amstill doesn’t beat “the internets” and “the google”…
August 13th, 2008 at 10:14 amActually, this comment is unfair to chimpanzees. In the 1970’s many of them were taught how to competently use a computer.
They also had a much better vocabulary usage than McCain.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:14 amThe fact that McCain will readily grab credit for successes he formerly opposed is old news. Ditto for his using his influence to benefit his lobbyist buddies.
The most alarming item on that list (at least, to me) is that McCain sides with the telecoms on the internet neutrality issue. It’s not surprising, but certainly disappointing. Whenever the neutrality issue comes up, it gets promptly smacked down because the only people who would benefit are money-grubbing corporate greedheads. If McCain gets elected, we must be as aware of what goes on with this issue as we are now aware of the way the current administration is gutting environmental laws.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:19 amOh, the ways John tries to explain things. What he really meant of his interest in internet control was when you control the pipe you should get high on your investment and fuk everyone else.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:20 amPolitics be damned. We can’t afford another ignorant, incurious, President. Especially an immoral one.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:21 amraynman Says: Sends a chilling message to keeping ahead of the curve when it comes to science and technology, although it could explain why so many countries are surpassing us in those fields when we used to be the pioneers.
Conservatism = ignorance.
(It also equals third world nation if we don’t kick it out of our government soon).
August 13th, 2008 at 10:21 amFDR said a conservative is a person with two perfectly good legs that refuses to move forward. This is understood, conservatives have shown that they intend to take us backwards and by god they have.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:21 amThe only technology that Grampy McSame is really familiar with is how to put on his Depends.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:25 amFred Says: FDR said a conservative is a person with two perfectly good legs that refuses to move forward.
Liberal presidents have brought us progress.
Conservative Presidents have brought us war.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:29 amLooks like the meat of a great Obama ad camppaign.
“Experience? When John McCain was Obama’s age, the vinyl record was the state of the art. Rotary phones and the post office were the means to keep in touch. If it was urgent, a telegram was the best thing going. And John McCain was very comfortable in that world.
But it’s a different world now. And we can’t afford to have a leader that doesn’t recognize the new world. If John McCain doesn’t understand the Internet, how can he relate to the fast moving world of today?”
Maybe throw in some video of the old China and Mao, next to the opening ceremony shots. While the Olympics are still in the news.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:32 amThank God that he is not another Al Gore. Just think, McCain could be nothing more than a floor licking, pandering whore looking to become President and taking credit for all sorts of things that he did not support. However, we had the press to protect us from the likes of Al Gore and certainly they would protect us from someone else who would exaggerate.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:32 amunbelievable Says
August 13th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Liberal presidents have brought us progress.
Conservative Presidents have brought us war.
________________________________________________________
And isn’t it interesting how that juxtaposition of those terms really illuminates what diametric opposites they are?
August 13th, 2008 at 10:33 amConservative Presidents have brought us war.
I contend that Americans were anxious for a war. We have been looking for an excuse to kick someones ass for a long time……bush provided it. Now all we have left is to deal with the consequenses of our drunken roid rage.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:37 am“Republicans are men of narrow vision, who are afraid of the future.”
-Jimmy Carter
“The two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a big fat white guy who is threatened by change.”
-Seth MacFarlane, The Family Guy
August 13th, 2008 at 10:38 ammisshusseinmolly Says: And isn’t it interesting how that juxtaposition of those terms really illuminates what diametric opposites they are?
So then why do people keep electing Conservatives?
If Presidents like Thomas Jefferson brought us Democracy, FDR brought us Social Security, JFK brought us to the moon, and Clinton brought us economic stability, then why do so many people vote for the Nixons, Eisenhowers and Bushes who have brought us nothing but fear, hatred, Vietnam, Iraq Invasion I and Iraq Invasion II? I don’t get it.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:40 amFred Says: I contend that Americans were anxious for a war.
I find that hard to believe about most Americans. Perhaps there was the 9/11 factor that played a role.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:45 amAggression is taught as a virtue here. Who are the most notables from your college, a brain surgeon? Probably an athelete and what is the mantra for atheletes in America? Win at any cost. Same values present in corporate America which is where the attitude for our atheletes came from.
This was inevitable. We ignored bullying in our schools and it brought us columbine, etc. what did we think would happen?
When steroids are as rampant as they are in the US then a lot of people are looking the other way.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:50 amHumor humor humor
McCain got him a computer and started to practice.
He wrote his first two words Tire then Guage,
McCain suddenly got a sound coming out of computer his
speakers..
“You Got Air..”
———————
While practicing, McCain got a picture of Senator Gramm on his monitor screen telling him,repeatedly :” You are a whiner”
August 13th, 2008 at 10:52 amAngry McCain couldn’t get rid of the frozen picture, then he used his Cell. phone to call Senator Gramm:
MCCAIN: “How dare you do this to me,I’m supposed to be your friend”?
GRAMM replying: “What letters did you push on your keyboard?”
MCCAIN replied: “I guess, I pushed R and N letters”.
GRAMM: “see, That’s Ralph Nader behind this virus, and not me…”
McLame: Building a bridge to the 19th century.
Ah, good times, good times…
PEACE
August 13th, 2008 at 10:53 amFred Says: This was inevitable. We ignored bullying in our schools and it brought us columbine, etc. what did we think would happen?
I worked at two different high schools over the past three years and I can tell you that it is far worse than most people know.
Not only are students bullied, but they are taught to be silent, submissive little sheep who never ever question authority or the consequences are so astronomical that they will be certain to not do it again. They memorize useless trivia in order to regurgitate it for the sake of standardized tests, which judge them for life.
My favorites were the ones who saw through the charade and didn’t bow to the fear. They were the ones with the most potential to something amazing with their lives. Unfortunately, their records keep them out of the top tier colleges and universities.
Our eEducation system needs a serious overhaul. I like Obama’s plan. I hope he gets to implement it. But I’m not holding my breath.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:59 amunbelievable Says
August 13th, 2008 at 10:40 am
If Presidents like Thomas Jefferson brought us Democracy, FDR brought us Social Security, JFK brought us to the moon, and Clinton brought us economic stability, then why do so many people vote for the Nixons, Eisenhowers and Bushes who have brought us nothing but fear, hatred, Vietnam, Iraq Invasion I and Iraq Invasion II? I don’t get it.
__________________________________________________________
Because there are far too many of us who are afraid of change. People who are comfortable with their old mindsets and prejudices. They’re like the teen whose mother is trying to get him out of bed in the morning and on his way to school (”just five more minutes — please!”) — they are being jangled awake by an annoying alarm clock and they are desperately trying to hit the snooze button.
And any candidate who espouses the “let’s kick the butts of anybody who isn’t like us” will attract such a voter, because this relieves the obligation of thinking.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:59 amWhen TR said “bully bully bully” I’m kinda thinkin’ that is what he predicted future Repukes to do.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:00 amThen why did the Americans allow the aggressive impeachment of Clinton instead of defending a sound leader?
Why were bush and the neocons embraced knowing full well what their agenda was?
Why is waving the flag and proclaiming how great we are of higher importance than advancing our nation economically?
Why are violent sports that damage our children for life even without the advent of steroids the main event in America?
Why are union/corporate relationships unnessesarily advecerial. Other civilized nations have sucessful union/corporate relationships, why not here?
Why is being sucessful in life here a sure sign that you stepped on other peoples heads to get there or stabbed someone in the back?
Why are companies that make their income from other peoples misery the most sucessful companies in America?
ect.
We need to rethink our priorities. This predictable bad economy have many people doing that for the first time in a while, there will be more.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:03 ammisshusseinmolly Says: Because there are far too many of us who are afraid of change.
That seems odd considering evolution, the basis for species survival is all about change. You’d think our DNA would be programmed to embrace change.
Personally, I thrive on change – am just not so fond of the transitions :)
Well, everyone seems primed for change now. Guess it’s because the fear of change at presesnt is far less than the fear of staying the samee.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:06 amFred Says: Then why did the Americans allow the aggressive impeachment of Clinton instead of defending a sound leader?
Why were bush and the neocons embraced knowing full well what their agenda was?
Why is waving the flag and proclaiming how great we are of higher importance than advancing our nation economically?
Why are violent sports that damage our children for life even without the advent of steroids the main event in America?
Why are union/corporate relationships unnessesarily advecerial. Other civilized nations have sucessful union/corporate relationships, why not here?
Why is being sucessful in life here a sure sign that you stepped on other peoples heads to get there or stabbed someone in the back?
Why are companies that make their income from other peoples misery the most sucessful companies in America?
ect.
We need to rethink our priorities. This predictable bad economy have many people doing that for the first time in a while, there will be more.
Ignorance and/or fear (which is usually a consequence of ignorance).
Hopefully we’ve learned from this that there’s nothing to fear but fear itself.
People need to turn of the t.v. and start paying attention. I agree with you. Democracy won’t be democracy if we don’t participate.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:10 amunbelievable Says:
Look at the unqualified members of the bush admin. Do you think they climbed to their positions on thier abilities?
Brown, rumsfeld, gonzalas, bush himself…..wolfowitz, etc.
These peoples best friends are corporate America. They run things, they decide for our communities too. They tell Americans what to think because they have control of the purse strings.
Got a pepsi machine in your local public school?
Who donates to local schools and what are thier priorities. This should be changed so that they are not in control of the agenda for our public schools.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:17 amWhen running for president in 2000, however, McCain took credit for the legislation, saying it was a “good program.”
#####
Wow, that sounds familiar! He actively worked against the new GI Bill, then when it appeared on the cover of the American Legion, he took credit for it. Seems like a pattern for him.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:19 ammisshusseinmolly and unbelievable.
I don’t think people are afraid of change. They are afraid of screwing up and getting caught. Often, even the well meaning are afraid of making things worse.
I think it ties into what Fred was saying about aggression and domination. Our society, especially our elected representation, seems to find it impossible to say “I screwed up, help me fix it”. We have a superiority complex.
The horrors of Iraq could have been lessened if, once it became apparent that Saddam had never been a threat, we had forced a policy of “we screwed up, help us fix it”. But, our insane superiority complex was enough, coupled with a need for revenge and pure shock that Bushco really was THAT bad, to allow a fundamentally flawed cabal to pursue an insane policy of occupation.
I even think some of the least trollish trolls are driven, mostly, by an unwillingness to believe they backed a loser. But, there’s sort of an upside.
When it becomes apparent to enough people, and/or those who wield real power, that things are screwed up and need fixing? The need to try something overcomes the fear of making things worse. I hope.
Despite all the carnage, this is an exciting time. Within a few short years we will know if the strengths of our system are enough to redress the damage caused by wicked men.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:35 amunbelievable Says:
“So then why do people keep electing Conservatives?”
My short answer in this point in time is a complicit corporate run media.
“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring them the real facts.”
-A. Lincoln
My longer answer to this age old question has been stated better by sager men than me from various points in history:
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
-Alexander Hamilton
“Giving every man a vote has no more made men wise and free than Christianity has made them good.”
-H.L. Mencken
“Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.”
-Bertrand Russell
“We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven into an age of unreason if we dig deep into our history and remember we are not descended from fearful men.”
Edward R. Murrow
“The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment.”
-Robert M. Hutchins
“So long as men worship the Caesars and Napoleons, Caesars and Napoleons will duly arise and make them miserable.”
-Aldous Huxley
“Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of confusion and bamboozle requires intelligence, vigilance, dedication and courage. But if we don’t practice these tough habits of thought, we cannot hope to solve the truly serious problems that face us – and we risk becoming a nation of suckers, up for grabs by the next charlatan who comes along.”
-Carl Sagan
“Only the mob and the elite can be attracted by the momentum of totalitarianism itself. The masses have to be won by propaganda.”
-Hannah Arendt
and lastly, sad but too true:
“The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.”
-Joseph Stalin
August 13th, 2008 at 11:36 amFormer FCC chairman Reed Hundt told Salon, “Basically, John is a technological troglodyte, and proud of it.”
And too dumb to understand the meaning.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:38 amA Patriot Acting,
I like those quotes. That points out the problem from the manipulated receiver’s end, but there’s also a huge problem from the sender’s end:
“There was no point in seeking to convert the intellectuals. For intellectuals would never be converted and would anyway always yield to the stronger, and thus will always be ‘the man in the street.’ Arguments must therefore be crude, clear and forcible, and appeal to emotions and instincts, not the intellect. Truth was unimportant and entirely subordinate to tactics and psychology.”
“Propaganda is a means to an end. Its purpose is to lead the people to an understanding that will allow them to willingly and without internal resistance devote themselves to the tasks and goals of a superior leadership. If propaganda is to succeed, it must know what it wants. It must keep a clear and firm goal in mind, and seek the appropriate means and methods to reach that goal. Propaganda as such is neither good nor evil. Its moral value is determined by the goals it seeks.”
Joseph Goebbels – 1934
August 13th, 2008 at 11:55 amKarl Rove – 2003
Former FCC chairman Reed Hundt told Salon, “Basically, John is a technological troglodyte, and proud of it.”
Only a Conservative could be proud of being dumb as a bag of hair.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:57 amMcCain is ‘technically a troglodyte.’
This would be more correct.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:00 pmMcCain’s a danger to the freedom of our tubes and wires.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:29 pmDon’t forget this one:
Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.
~ John Stuart Mill
August 13th, 2008 at 12:30 pm.
Johnny McCain’t be tech savy but …
August 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pmWHO COUNTS YOUR VOTE?
http://www.velvetrevolution.us/prosecute_rove/images/Spoon_Full.wmv
GOP cyber security expert Stephen Spoonamore, in this exclusive must see interview, boldly accuses the GOP of stealing elections and lying about it. Please watch and send it to your friends. This interview was supposed to air on national television prior to the last election but was censored. Why was it censored? Who decided to censor it? Please ask Congress to investigate Spoonamore’s allegations. Go to http://www.rovecybergate.com and send a letter to Congress.
A ‘technological troglodyte’ is a pretty fair description when the work ‘technological’ is dropped.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:25 pm