“They go on [the internet] for me. 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.”
–John McCain

What the hell? No really … what the hell?!

I give my elders a lot of leeway on understanding and using computers and the internet. I understand they did not grow up with these things. Neither did I, for that matter. I also understand that not everyone has a computer, has ever used a computer, and that not everyone has an internet connection, whether or not they use computers. I am very understanding about computer and internet illiteracy … for common people. Common people have lots of other things to worry about, like putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their heads.

But I would expect a long-time US Senator and a presidential candidate to be capable of using one of the tools of the 20th and 21st centuries, or at least know how to “get online.” Even with a dial-up connection to the internet, the process involves nothing more than opening a browser. One click of the mouse button on one icon. When my mom first got a computer and had internet hooked up, it took her a mere five minutes to figure out how to “get online” and by the next day she was looking things up on Google, playing games online, and sending email. She’s fair less educated and significantly more backwoods rural than Mr. McCain.

How is it even possible for someone in government today to not know how to use a computer or the internet? Oh, because he has people to do that kind of thing for him! It’s a poor excuse. I don’t mind delegating. I delegate tasks myself, when I can, but rest assured, I always know how to do the task myself. I can’t even fathom being a politician in the 21st century and not knowing how to send an email or search for information online … all by my little lonesome self.

I’m not saying life can’t be lived without the internet. It most certainly can, but if one’s life involves staying informed of current events and being connected and communicating to the world at large, both things I believe politicians should be doing, then yes, knowing how to “get online” and use a computer takes on a little more importance. It’s utterly shameful McCain isn’t capable of that. But then we have a President right now who can’t be bothered to read the news or stay informed no matter what format the information is presented in, so it shouldn’t be a surprise, I guess, that McCain is both computer and internet illiterate. Not a surprise, but it’s certainly very sad. Maybe that’s what some people are looking for in a candidate.

By the way, the entire news story I pulled that quote from is worth reading for other gems like this one:

“I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no, I don’t believe in gay adoption.”

And this one on whether creationism should be taught in schools:

“It’s up to the school boards. That’s why we have local control over education.”