What you really have to look at is the narratives here, and on one end, history repeating itself:

In 2000 we had a flamboyant young gov from Tex-as who was going to come in and change things from that 'evil Arky' Clinton. Oh, and he had this old bloke who didn't say much as a running mate. Remember?

As soon as 9-11 came down the he got *real dumb* and all of a sudden, the old guy started getting more artic-oo-late and became his handler. Two there always are, a master and an apprentice.

Now we have flamboyant, charistmatic, and somewhat articulate Barack, and the old fossil, his 'handler'.. Teddy would have stepped in but .. you know, not enough scorpion venom to get him to think straight.

The Barack narrative is the same one we've had for the past 8 years, it's the 'safe bet' for the Dems.. the young'n needs a handler. And the first major conflag we have [again] he gets to run the same script Dubya did for the past 8 years.

Meanwhile, the RNC gets a woman on the ticket. See, Johnny's not all that bright and isn't up to speed on a number of things. Palin is young, and as long as they don't have a major scandal or she doesn't blow it some other way, she'll have 4 years to shine and then trounce the Shrillary in 2012.

The RNC has managed to turn the narrative back to what it USED to be. The experienced hand as president, the junior working their way thru to be on the ticket later. Or succeed. E tu Gerald Ford?

As to any 'dramatic change' between one and the other? Republicrats? Democans? Retards all.

But the RNC has the 'fresh narrative'.. and they're not as sloppy as last time. The Dems? Gosh.. I feel sorry for them.

The RNC has *one last chance* to get this right. Third strike, you're out, and then expect 3 terms of Dems. Hopefully we get another [Bill, not Hillary] who listens to reason, in that case.

there ARE more than these two jokers running for president on the national level - why aren't they getting equal coverage? why doesnt any media approach them ? because the two (dem and rep) candidates represent the exact same thing, "business as usual".. neither will bring real change, real improvement.
visit http://www.baldwin08.com for a serious national level candidate that wont give you the same sh*t over and over again.

Barack OBore, the affirmative action candidate, at the expense of HRC stands for whichever way the wind blows. If he thinks that's what is going to get him elected, that's what he's for. He's also for bombastic displays, which attempt to make him look important. I don't know if anyone has noticed, but he lies about stuff, and seems a little fuzzy on details like, oh.. how many states are in the Union for example. Until Sarah Palin came along today, I'd given up on this election. The only problem is that she should be the nominee and not McCain.

obviously, you haven't lost your home to foreclosure or a hurricane or tornado or lost a job to oversees outsourcing or gone bankrupt because of medical bills.

all of this while ceo's, oil companies reek fortunes, all of this while politicians in washington get sit back and eat steak and lobster and attend lavish parties and buy a multitude of homes and get free and better medical care from the v.a. than the veterans.

you speak of lies....! then you are referring to the case made for bombing iraq.

AMERICA IS BETTER THAN THIS, we just have to take it back from the republicans who for years whined about having a republican control washinton.

clearly, we have seen what they can do by the last 8 years.

DatabaseBen,
THERE IS NO NEED TO YELL.

Your response "reeks" of the propaganda that Democrats have been spreading all through this campaign. The fact of the matter is that Obama isn't going to change anything, just as the Democrats who now hold the House of Representatives, have done nothing since they took over. I wish to God Obama did represent real change, but he's an opportunistic politician just like the rest of them who is riding a wave of baby boomer nostalgia for the "good old days".

This is their last chance to realize that dream that fomented in that THC fog all those years ago, before they go on to the hell that awaits them. The only problem is that Obama isn't a black JFK wrapped up in Abraham Lincoln's coat, he's just a politician of minimal substance who happens to be a good speaker.

I was interested in him until the moment he said that he sat in that racist church for 20 years and heard nothing.
When it became apparent that he finally had to admit that he had indeed heard his preacher say
things that (all of a sudden) he didn't agree with, he changed his tune. That's his problem, he changes with the wind about everything, and therefore is not suitable for the office in my opinion.

ps I'm very sure he likes steak and lobster though, and you have to admit he throws very lavish parties as well.

you're a republican W-H-I-N-E-R

and a republican W-E-E-N-E-R, too ;)

As you can see, O bama has some really intelligent supporters. Have a nice life kid.

all he needs is my "vote", the rest is up to him.

Please. The only reason that McCain is where he is now is because of affirmative action. The privileged son of an admiral (who was himself the son of an admiral), McCain's piss poor grades and class rank would have meant that anyone else in his position couldn't be dog catcher, let alone a presidential nominee.

And it's not like McCain ever lied about anything important (except for, you know, his wedding vows), but when the wind blows you to a wealthy heiress who can finance your political ambitions, who cares if your wife is disfigured in a horrible accident?

And as far as changing positions to get elected, well...let's just say that before McCain debates Obama, McCain may want to debate himself first to see if he even HAS any consistent positions. He won't even support a bill with his own name on it. Maybe he should save time and just ask Joe Lieberman if he's changed his mind about anything else important.

But I think Palin was a good choice...what better way to show your "experience" by choosing as your running mate someone who has absolutely none herself?

Holy s***, he changed his mind?

Hang him.

Wait, that's not what you meant?

Well, it's what you said.

How nice.

No, I said he's a LIAR. That's L.I.A.R. for those of you who are mentally challenged, which obviously constitutes many of BO's supporters.

Don't go saying Bush lied too, that would be hypocritical of you now wouldn't it? Any other big words you can look up if you don't understand them.

Your arguments have all the lucidity of Keith Oberman at his finest. In other words they make no sense at all, but hey, why let facts get in the way of parroted propaganda that you have ingested from the Democrat slander machine?

Yes, Palin has about as much experience as Barak Obama, except for the fact that she has actually had executive experience, which he hasn't. He's a dumba**, and McCain's a silly old goat, what do you want? You're stupid if you like either of them.
I honestly don't care who wins the election, I don't like McCain anymore than Obama if you must know. All I know is four years of one idiot or another. Choose your idiot.

Oooh, looks like we found our republican troll in imafurby. Notice how quick he is to yell "propaganda!" any time someone posts in favor of the democrats in any shape or form?

He even had the audacity to use a phrase like "Democrat slander machine" Please. Every 4 years when the election comes around, the republicans are ALWAYS the first one to start a ridiculous smear campaign. These campaigns are so horrible and transparent, people with brain damage should be able to see through them. Take the whole Paris Hilton & Britney Spears = Barrack Obama celebrity ad for instance. Yeah, calling Obama a celebrity really addresses the issues, doesn't it? I mean, hey, McCain owns 7 houses but he's no celebrity.. he's just filthy stinking rich, so that's alright.

I do agree on one thing though, both candidates are your typical flip-flopping politicians. I don't see the big surprise there, every election turns out this way. Obama may have his many faults, but he is most definitely the lesser of two evils. Never underestimate the republicans though. I'm sure they'll do everything they can to buy another election. They'll spend a trillion dollars on McCain's campaign if need be, just to convince people to vote republican again and spend the next 4 years destroying whatever is left of "the land of the free".

"parroted propaganda that you have ingested from the Democrat slander machine?"
==================================================

Using big words doesn't make you smart, guy. Keep that in mind for your next post. But on the bright side, I'm honored that you finally used grammar check on your post this time.

Palin's executive experience is as the mayor of a town of roughly 6000. Chicago has entire neighborhoods bigger than that. And given his time in both the Illinois state legislature and the Senate, he has a lot more experience than the MILF who would be President.

The only dumba** here is McCain for not taking into account his age and health issues when picking a veep. And the best part is that he only met with her twice before offering the the slot to a woman who, in her own words, "has no idea what the V.P. does" If this is how McCain makes major decisions, he doesn't need to be anywhere near the White House.

After all, he spent his whole campaign complaining about Obama not having enough experience; then he selected a VP with less experience than Joe Average!

...but more than Obama.

Still not a lie.

The rest I agree with. :p

Your response has all the charm of a 16th century witchhunt, "Oh look we found a troll". The standard post here to whatever the person screaming "troll" doesn't agree with. Pathetic actually, I feel sorry for you.

technology like many things, is a tool and a weapon.

also, we need more funding for stem cell research and cloning so we won't rely on soylent green in the future.

I'd like to hear McCain's stance on anything technology related, but since he can't even check his own email, I'm not gonna hold my breath.

doesn't!=can't.

There are several email accounts I have that I do not check. Ever.

Wanna send me some spam?

spamitallthetime@gmail.com

Don't worry...it never gets checked.

But you CAN check those accounts if you want to right? As in, you have the ability to do so? McCain doesn't; he has to have his wife check his email for him.

you have the ability to do so? McCain doesn't

*laughing*

Riiight. Just like last year at this time, I was "incapable" of using a cell phone?

I do not think that word means what you want it to mean....

Sorry, he's not "incapable", he simply chooses not to use that medium of communication.

Sure, it's a little wired to us perhaps, but certainly not too different from my own stance a year ago regarding Cell Phones.

..and yes, I let my wife do all of the talking on that thing. (Keyword: Let. Does not imply I "had" to, as you imply McCain 'must' do regarding email)

We hope to do it next week, I'd think Thursday. We're going to also dig up Palin's committments to technology, but I'm not going to lie... that's going to be tough

He chooses not to use it because he can't understand it...kind of like how I choose not to be a brain surgeon because I don't understand surgery. McCain has said himself that he is basically computer illiterate, and that (along with not knowing much about the economy, repeatedly confusing Sunni and Shi'a, etc.) worries me a bit.

It's interesting that you put the word "incapable" in quotes twice. Do you realize the guy you're arguing with never used that word? Do you often quote people with words they haven't used?

The relevant word is "ability". Big Mac doesn't have the "ability" to check his email, do a search, or surf porn. Of course, that last one is quite difficult with one good arm.

He may acquire these "abilities" at some point in the future, but at this point in time, he does not have these "abilities".

But who cares? I think it's great that he has intellectual curiosity of a spork. Would we really want a president who sees a wealth of information at his fingertips and decides to take advantage of it? Nah.

Just curious, what could have possibly changed in the past year to get you to change your "stance" on "Cell Phones"?

Incapable, as in, lacking the ability to do something.

As in, you have the ability to do so? McCain doesn't;

Do you often have trouble comprehending basic English? (See? Snide...right back at ya!) ;)

Just curious, what could have possibly changed in the past year to get you to change your "stance" on "Cell Phones"?

Billing issues with my landline provider. Decided to scrap "billing" for my phone service all together and went "pay as you go". While I end up paying more, I never again have to deal with some idiot who cannot take 30 seconds to look over the data in front of him before disconnecting the *wrong* number. Trust me, it's worth the extra cost.

*laughs*

So what you are saying is that a president should be all-knowing?

....or shouldn't admit his weak points (for which one can rest assured there will be ample cabinet support)?

*shakes head and sighs*

I never said "all knowing," but some knowledge is basic enough that, as commander in chief, he needs to know it. This is especially true since he claims to be a foreign policy expert, and while the President doesn't have to be a genius, he should at least be able to get certain facts correct without having to be corrected again (and again and again).

And his cabinet, while important, is not there to make decisions FOR him, the cabinet's job is to ADVISE him; in the end, if McCain screws up he can blame his cabinet all he wants to, but as the President, it will be his fault. The buck stops with him.

Actually, Ed, and quite surprisingly, Sarah Palin's stance on technology (not to mention knowledge of) is much clearer than McCain's

See:
Palin: http://www.govtech.com/gt/402325
McCain: http://www.circleid.com/...ins_technology_non_plan/

They teach evolution and every other religion & mythology even though some people don't want to learn it, but for some reason there's nothing wrong with that, hmmm, funny how that works.

Wow.

She's got more experience in office than the rest combined.

She doesn't want it in the curriculum. Period. I love how they can take parts of a quote and not be called flat-out liars.

It'd be really neat if they'd include the entire argument:

"Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of education. Healthy debate is so important, and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both."

"I don't think there should be a prohibition against debate if it comes up in class. It doesn't have to be part of the curriculum."

She added that, if elected, she would not push the state Board of Education to add such creation-based alternatives to the state's required curriculum.

Members of the state school board, which sets minimum requirements, are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature.

"I won't have religion as a litmus test, or anybody's personal opinion on evolution or creationism," Palin said.

You should really stop watching MSNBC, man.

If the definition of "all-knowing" is a skill (using a computer/internet/checking email/downloading porn/playing online poker) which is almost second nature to just about every person living in the civilized world, and is taught to school children at a very early age, and a 75 year old man (my grand father) can grasp most of the basics in a weekend, then YES the president SHOULD be "all-knowing". Is McCain able to successfully operate an ATM or is that a similar skill that only an all-knowing president should be able to handle?

Now let's wait for the belittling retort that will do nothing to answer my question, but focus on attempting to insult my intelligence in some shape or form, or my use and understanding of the English language.

Hardly proven. :p

...but definitely *more* provable.

Did you ignore what I posted of hers above?

Just because some Adams is hoping she is doesn't make her a nutjob, and her response above would seem to indicate she's not.

which is almost second nature to just about every person living in the civilized world,

You've never been outside your rustic little city, have you?

...poor thing.

So you agree that he is incapable. Brilliant.

The only thing I see here that isn't a direct response to what the polls tell him his "people" want to hear is the CTO bit.

...and amazingly, that actually impressed me.

Of course, it's not a promise, and the world wouldn't notice if he....forgot to do it.

Why is anyone listening to either side right now? You have to know they are currently nothing more than mouthpieces responding to flawed polling data, right?

Want to know what they're going to do? Look at their past, look at their clique, and read their college thesis/term papers. (No, seriously...)

PC_T,
As usual, ya know I love your sentiments, an' I pray on the name of "GOOD LORD JESUS", ya locked & loaded.
May your aim be true!
Thank you, without guys like you, we'd never of known our true capacity.

Toolie,
I gotta ask this {before you get me banned}, are you an "Air Guitar" champion?
Reason for my query is the weight of your hackneyed comments, all fluff and no substance!

While I wouldn't normally reply to post made by you (unless you post as zridling), I couldn't resist the, {before you get me banned}, bit.

I have never once requested a ban on anyone on this site other than PC Rat.

Any Ban placed upon you is therefore your own doing, likely as an indirect result of your propensity to expose your mental retardation in the form of posts.

Speaking of "fluff and no substance", what's your excuse, psychosis brought on by brain tumor, perhaps?

At least it seems like Obama knows more about technology than "never felt the particular need to e-mail" McCain.

Enough with the entrenched dinosaurs in politics. I really wish more scientists would run for office instead of it being career politicians and lawyers all the time.

Better yet how about the everyday citizen. The hell with scientists no place for them in politics.

Umm, I'd much rather not everyday citizenry. Half of America is below average, and average is what you see on Jerry Springer.

What ever you say. Maybe where you live they are below average but not by me. Maybe you should move out of that part of town.

Let's have some "mad scientists" too, but please none of the ones who think Al Gore is right all the time.

So you're basically saying you live in an above average neighborhood and you want people like that elected. That's not so different from what I'm saying either in that we need above average people elected.

I'm just narrowing it down a bit more to be more representative of people other than career politicians and the lawyer lobby. The reason I picked scientists as an example are because they're more likely to be rational people and above average. It scares me a little bit to think the next guy with his finger on the nuclear button will either be a somewhat rational but senile guy pandering to a bunch of irrational whackos, or a somewhat irrational but non-senile guy pandering to a lesser bunch of whackos.

No he was saying your comment was wrong.

Toolie is gonna need a spotter? C'mon guy put ya heart where your mouth is, or are ya a shrinking violet?
What say ya boy?

He does not know anything...he does speak about everythign he knows nothing about.

In the present stage of IT, I hope somebody in Washington reminds that users of computers are also citizens of USA with constitutional privacy rights, among them the right to not being spied, and proposes to be a crime the implementing of any kind of backdoors in any software or hardware sold in America.

Everything in America is BIG - Egos, Bombs and lets Nuke the b*****ds. Thank god I`m britsh

Well said small man, and give my regards to your superior Her Majesty the Queen, long may she rot.

Whatever he feels... the article will say.. woman, children, and minorities hardest hit! If you don't listen to Mesi-Obama!

Ofcourse he would want to make his geeks happier!. Unlike McCain who called us a "nation of whiners"
http://www.foreclosuredo...g-of-end-of-foreclosure/

McCain who called us a "nation of whiners"

You know, I have to say that that locks my vote in for sure. Truer words were never spoken. Just look at the 5,000 facebook groups protesting vigilantly how upset they are that their *FREE* social networking site made a change to its interface.

Um... geeks use Facebook? I think not.

He should have said a Nation of Entitlement.

That would have gotten my vote in a heartbeat.

*laughing*

You feel for that?

You?

Why was there a sudden rush on housing? Oh yeah...the economy was great. (unemployment, interest *and* inflation were low. Some folks call that a 'Perfect Storm'. There's only one way it's going to go from there....buying in that kind of market is suicide.)

Why did these people take out such brain-dead loans? Because interest rates were low, inflation was low, and unemployment was...low and they were told by the banks that they'd *stay* that way.

They didn't. (Duh?)

...but that's Bush's fault, right?

OK. Fair enough...

Do you honestly think McCain was referring to the guy who lost his job, or the glut of people taking risky loans?

To the complainants:

Do ANY of you notice that we will be doing the EXACT same thing with the Republicans next week? Wayyy to quick to throw out the "bias" meme.

It's been a month of Obama stories. This is not just a week-long thing.

You can't do that. If you did people would say you are biased and pro republican. The light needs to be Obamie not the republicans.

If nothing else, at least BetaNews writers like Ed Oswald and Scott Fulton have the guts to take on tech issues. If you don't think those [often useless and spineless (obama!)] pols don't affect your daily life in front of your computer, you're dead wrong.

From the DMCA to Microsoft's antitrust cases to FISA to patent law to security law and more, it's all very real. It's pretty sad that obama didn't spend one minute in his short stint in the Senate, however, doing anything about an issue as central as net neutrality.

Having a "position statement" on your campaign website isn't a substitute for the long, difficult slog it takes to bring real legislative changes to tech policy.

Have a nice trip out of here and take thoese two whacked-out liberal meat-heads (Obama & Biden) with you!

Perhaps you can all meet and leave this country togrther. I am sure Putin has a use for you.

"Fair and Balanced"

I'm with gawd21. What the hell is with the biased (and really small issues) coverage? Seriously?

BetaNews is not being biased. Sure, some of my co-workers are voting for Obama, but me.. I will be voting for McCain - unless they can sway my vote somehow ;)

Since its a 4 part article I would assume the other two parts are about the republicans. but who knows maybe they will highlight one of the known but unknown political parties.

Damn! Stop already. I am about done with BN. I don't care if you don't miss me, but I can tell you this, I am telling you that I will be leaving, think of the 100s that won't tell you.

Don't worry, if this is all you are complaining about, neither of you will be missed. Good riddance.

Uh...

Buh-bye!

No, seriously, I actually agree with you to a degree. Between the political pieces and Jaq, this site's about had it.

I agree, it's going down hill.

But look at the bright side! While fooling around less on BN for the last two weeks or so I could spend all that time on work instead!

Ummm, hang on...

Work?

Isn't that what I pay *other* people to do?

;)