This letter is associated with the following article:
Letters
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 12:00 AM

John McCain, Internet dunce

Why the Arizona senator, who can barely Google, is not the chief that an increasingly technological world requires.

Read other letters about this article

  • Tuesday, August 12, 2008 08:37 PM

    Techno-ignorance is a national security threat

    I have not had much time to work on this one, but here is a little something for an Obama surrogate...

    “It is crucial for American safety and security to understand the threats of the 21st century, especially the threat of terrorism in all of its guises.

    “Our military, security, and intelligence experts know that threats from terrorists come in many forms, including cyber-terrorism. Barack Obama understands the threats to our economic and transportation infrastructure from cyber-terrorism.

    “Computers and telecommunications network, cell phones and Blackberries, are important tools of the 21st century. Threats to these tools are 21st century threats. Senator Obama understands that, as do our experts in the military, the CIA, and the FBI.

    “We’ve seen that John McCain is confused by some of these tools. We’ve all seen the stories about his lack of familiarity with the very technology that our enemies use with ease. We can’t afford a president who is confused about these vital threats.

    “We can’t risk a president who doesn’t know the difference, and amazingly doesn't even care to know the difference, between an iPod and a Blackberry, just like we can’t afford a president who is confused about the difference between Shiite and Sunni, or about which countries border Afghanistan. Now is not the time to be confused. Too much depends on understanding the threats against us. We need a president who can see a way to a brighter and more secure future.

    “Barack Obama understands the complex nature of the threats to America, and he is ready to meet the full range of challenges. He understands that our military and security experts are adapting to changing tactics from America’s enemies. We can’t afford to elect somebody, in Senator McCain, who refuses to acknowledge the changing nature of America’s enemies. We can’t afford to elect somebody who will have to play catch-up to our enemies.

    “We need somebody who is ahead of the game, somebody who can lead the fight against all the threats we face. Barack Obama is just that type of leader.”

Most Active Letters Threads

405

I'm thankful I'm not President Obama

Backers deride Katrina-style negligence, haters hate him more each day. Can this presidency be saved? Of course
320

Greg Craig and Obama's worsening civil liberties record

A new Time account of the fall of Obama's White House counsel sheds much light on rule of law issues.
318

Tough-guy John Bolton, hiding under his bed

As usual, right-wing pseudo-warriors are drowning in extreme cowardice.
153

Phil Carter's resignation from key detainee policy post

Many of the "War on Terror" policies he spent years condemning were ones expressly embraced by Obama.
146

A key British official reminds us of the forgotten anthrax attack

A vast array of establishment and expert sources do not believe this episode was really resolved.

View all »

Letters Help

Currently in Salon