PA governor is about as tech literate as John McCain
John McCain has gotten a lot of flack recently for his lack of tech savvy. McCain doesn't use email, the web, or a computer. But it turns out he's not the only high ranking politician who prefers a fax machine to email. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has a cellphone and recently learned to send text messages - but has never sent an email. The article raises an interesting point - does the guy at the top really need to be CCed on every single email his underlings send around? Some of Rendell's staffers say the answer is not only no, but that this frees the governor up to think about other things. He can make the decisions when it's time to do so, but he doesn't have to get bogged down in all the back and forth emails sent while hammering out the details.
On the other hand, Rendell has probably been responsible for the destruction of a small forest during his time in office, since every single document he needs to read has to be printed out in advance.
What do you think? Is it OK for politicians to be technologically illiterate, or would you like your elected officials to at least know how to look themselves up on Wikipedia even if they still prefer to write out their speeches by hand?
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They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chet Kuhn said 5:14PM on 8-18-2008
Politicians and political leaders using email is not only silly, but dangerous as well. I don't think that political figures should necessarily be using email for communication as it pertains to the office that they hold.
That being said, any elected official who doesn't use email because they *don't know how* shouldn't be in office. Today's world, and the complex technological decisions within it, require at very least a basic understanding of the technologies involved. How can we expect someone to have a reasonable and coherent understanding of net neutrality and complex copyright issues as they pertain to government and the people, if they don't have a firm understanding of the 'send' button?
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Todd said 4:48PM on 8-18-2008
Yeah but in the extreme state of divisiveness this country is in, boasting you are computer illiterate says:
"I am pro life, pro gun, pro blood for oil, an Evangelical Christian and the internet is a series of tubes..."
...instantly endearing oneself to 49.999% of the population.
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sodapop said 6:53PM on 8-18-2008
Will your comment is accurate to an extent (and laced with bias), you'll find plenty of people in that 50% who are using email and the internet. Being tech savvy is a matter of age and the industry you are employed in, not moral and ethical values.
Todd said 7:36PM on 8-18-2008
Imagine if the head of General Motors publicly stated he does not know how to drive a car, absolutely refuses to ever learn BUT intends to start changing the laws that govern licensing, speed limits, traffic safety, etc. - Ridiculous I know.
...but having this guy for a governor, or worse 114 year old John "My wife sends my emails" McCain for president is the same thing. How can one participate in technology laws and legislation that impacts us all and be so out of touch with the realities of 2008?
DiRT said 9:37PM on 8-18-2008
Everyone who doesn't use e-mail is pro "blood for oil."
You do realize that phrase means nothing, right?
dejal said 9:38PM on 8-18-2008
So sad, so full of hate.
Rawker said 2:23PM on 8-18-2008
I think it is fine if they dont know alot about tech, as long as they admit it. Hopefully then they will be more likely to seek an outside source, that is more informed than they are, when making decisions about tech issues.
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kgriffis said 6:27PM on 8-18-2008
If they made the emails and letters into food we wouldn't have to worry about it. Fast Eddie would eat it. He may be Democratic but he's another Bush.
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jdw242b said 5:46PM on 8-18-2008
It's not so important for the Gov to be in on everything that happens as much as a constant history is generated so he may, at his discretion, go back and view events. Hyland OnBase is good for that.
However, if the Gov starts talking tech, or debating tech, when no knowledge is present, geeks with fortitude should be on staff to aid in such debates so some underling doesn't muck the system with lies and half-truths designed to pad someone's pocket.
Yeah, well I can dream of honestly in politics, right?
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kingkool68 said 6:36PM on 8-18-2008
I like politicians to be able to relate to me, and I use a computer, the web, and e-mail every single day!
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sodapop said 4:48PM on 8-18-2008
The problem is that these guys grew up with other tools. How often do you go out and shake peoples hands, attend community meetings, read law reviews, send personal letters snail mail etc. In most cases we don't relate to them as much as they don't relate to us. We have time to use new technology because we aren't occupied using old technology.
James said 4:57PM on 8-18-2008
Related: the last video game Obama played was Pong.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/85518-Obama-was-a-Pong-Player
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sodapop said 5:27PM on 8-18-2008
You guys have to talk into account age. My parents (70s) use email and internet only because they worked at tech companies in in Silicon Valley. My other relatives in central CA don't use email or Internet becasue they have never had to. I don't think we'll ever see tech savvy candidates because they are busy doing other things that reading sites like Download squad.
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Guillaume said 8:16AM on 8-19-2008
My father is 78 old, and is able to do his emails and order stuff on web sites. It was no easy the first months, (especially since I'm not sure a son is the best teacher :) ).
And he never worked in computer, or even have a computer before his 70s.
YpoCaramel said 5:45AM on 8-19-2008
Same.
My father is in its mid-60s and was a accountant/executive who never had to touch a computer (typing was for secretaries, back then). But he manages to use a Touch Diamond for GPS when hiking, in Chinese even. Even old people, with some effort and a manual, can go high-tech.
Ian said 7:37PM on 8-18-2008
Politicians have the power to chnage our lives in so many ways that they should become computer literate or be asked to step down. Like it or not computers and the internet are now a part of the social fabric of our lives. It's NOT acceptable for Politicans to thumb their noses at such technology. ANd forget the age thing. That's absolutely NO excuse.
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DiRT said 9:38PM on 8-18-2008
I like how most commentators here seem to think that all politicians work in a vacuum, unable to find tech savvy folks to help them. Of course, every politician worked on a farm, built a highway, collected taxes, took a census, ran a hospital, and made guns and ammunition by hand, but if they never use e-mail, they have no right to deal with tech issues!
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TurboFool said 2:20PM on 8-19-2008
In a day and age where technology and science are the foundations of our future, I think it's inexcusable to elect those illiterate on the topics. I'm not saying they need to be experts in the fields, but a lack of working knowledge is unacceptable and will lead to dangerous decisions on the subjects made due to ignorance. Advisers cannot make up for your own complete lack of knowledge. How would you even know how to pick an adviser on the subject if you don't understand it? Our government has time and again put people in charge of things they knew nothing about because the people hiring them knew nothing about it. And remember the RIAA's admission that they were so clueless about internet technologies that they didn't know how to even find or trust someone to help them come up with working solutions. You don't think our politicians are in the same boat? Just like I know little enough about cars that I can't know which mechanic is being honest to me, a politician who can't even write an e-mail can't possibly know which candidates for technology adviser are blowing smoke up their ass.