Yes, McCain Can Use Electronics

The Drudge Report and several conservative blogs are working themselves into a lather over the new Obama ad noting that John McCain doesn't know how to use a computer.

Their claim is that McCain is simply unable to use a computer because of his POW injuries, citing a March 2000 article in the Boston Globe that states, with no supporting evidence...

McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes.

Of course, this directly contradicts what McCain and his campaign manager have said. McCain told the New York Times in July:

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.

Campaign manager Rick Davis said in June that McCain would grab Blackberrys from reporters and tool around on the internet:

He actually is, he always is grabbing people's Blackberrys on the bus. In fact, no reporter's Blackberry is safe from his prying eyes. He loves to tool around on the internet, he especially loves the videos that get produced that usually poke fun at him. I think that's his most entertaining part of the internet.

And in a Politico interview, McCain said again that he uses a blackberry and plans to go online:

I use the Blackberry, but I don't e-mail, I've never felt the particular need to e-mail. I read e-mails all the time, but the communications that I have with my friends and staff are oral and done with my cell phone. I have the luxury of being in contact with them literally all the time.

And if you don't believe their words, try these photos:

From March 2001: An AP photo, whose caption reads, "McCain works his cell phone in Arlington, Va., checking with staff members on the status of amendments to his campaign finance reform bill"

From July 2007: McCain using a cell phone while holding a Blackberry

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From June 2007: An AP photo of McCain "paus[ing] to check his cell phone during a news conference"

From November 2007:

Comments

[shewholaughs]

McCain has missed a golden opportunity to raise awareness of technology which allows persons with handicaps to use computers. I personally know parplegics,blind and otherwise disabled people who with the use of technology are able to use the internet with facility. Only unwillingness to learn will keep him from the internet and use of computers.

[wheelieboy]

I am utterly disgusted by the recent comments by Karl Rove suggesting that
Senator McCain is unable to use a computer due to extensive injuries from
being a POW. I sustained a C/4, C/5 injury from a wrestling incident that
left me paralyzed from the shoulders down in 1989.
Since that time I have used a computer with a mouse stick as well as voice
activation to successfully complete my university and graduate degree
and a minimum of full-time employment since. It is far easier to write a
letter than to use a mouse stick to type a letter, Senator McCain
seems to have no problems writing letters. It then begs the question, is
John McCain so out of touch with technology that he has not paid attention
to any advancements over the last 20 years that
has enabled millions of individuals with disabilities to return to work or is this just another excuse to pander pity on a disabling
condition? Either option is not good.

What bothers me the most is that they would use this excuse as if persons with disabilities had no ability to use computers. It does a huge disservice to individuals with
disabilities who are looking into returning to work as productive members of
society. Too many people are already struggling to find accommodations to return to work through technology to publicize such an untruths to individuals who are unaware of the possibilities.
Please dispel the myth.

[tekno2600]

So, the Republican line here is that the Democrats PURPOSELY mocked McCain's war wounds by saying he doesn't know how to send an email. Supposedly Democrats must have "known" that McCain can never, ever use a keyboard, even though he has said he is learning to go online by himself. But, still, they're arguing that the Democrats' ad was intended to mock McCain disability, saying essentially: "Ha ha, you cripple." Obviously, any reasonable person can see that it wouldn't make sense for the Democrats to do that.
So, plan B for Rove and the bloggers is to say, well, the Democrats were NEGLIGENT for not "knowing" that McCain can't use a keyboard. But, again, McCain himself has already said he is learning to use a computer on his own. Therefore, he must be capable of using a keyboard occassionally, even if it is not comfortable for him to type for hours. He could certainly respond to an email: Thx, CUL8r :) That doesn't take much typing. Do you find it at all unusual that McCain has said nothing about this? He could easily settle this, but instead he seems content to exploit his supporters who rant furiously on his behalf. He was very quick to to claim Obama's lipstick comment was meant to call Sarah Palin a "pig." But, again, how would Obama possibly from that? It follows the same ridiculous premise as claiming that Obama would publicly call McCain a cripple, just for the fun of it.

[voidware]

I love the way people attack McCain when he's humble. He doesn't bother much with email, and maybe he has some arthritic condition from years past.

So what? He's not going to email you. I never thought of that as a prerequisite for the appointment.

I guess that makes him a LIAR since he has a Blackberry, right?

Guess what? I don't need a metro-suave in the White House who's campaign boasts the ability to use the internet.

But you're so cool, Obama. Maybe you can take dictation for McCain after he wins.

LOL.

[elmoor]

McCain says he doesn't know how to get online, so there goes the theory that he's really 'tech savvy'.

If he need a quick answer to a question, is he going to check his Encyclopedia Britannica? Or make a staff member following after him to look it up for him, as if they don't have anything better to do?

Not knowing how to use a computer, and how that impacts the business world in this day and age, is just plain unbelievable.

[ericphillips]

Rove's (and now FoxNews') defense of McCain not being able to use computers because of his POW injuries is an insult to the millions of disabled Americans who have less range of motion in their arms and hands than McCain.

There are software and hardware assists for disable users. Even quadraplegics regularly use computers. Does McCain have so little ability to overcome adversity he has to hide behind a disability? I doubt it.

To use this excuse is an insult and McCain should distance himself from this excuse.

[argon20]

McCain only needs a single finger to type, click, and scroll. I see him wagging his index finger at people all the time. Even so, I'm not particularly concerned that he can't operate a computer, but it's worrisome that he seems to lack appreciation for the technology and how it's changed the world. Does he not realize that any poor slob with an internet connection can check the facts behind his statements with just a few key strokes? Must not.

[Vidsweet]

PART 6: Health/injury stuff

(Read previous posts on McCain's possible injuries).

Finally, I'd like to say that I am a young, educated, tech-savvy female and I DON'T care that the future president doesn't type emails. He can read them but he can have someone else type them. I'd rather he be fixing the country or talking to world leaders and spreading democracy than have him sit in front of a computer for hours. I'd be uncomfortable if someone as ego-centric as Obama spent hours emailing all day long, reading Gawker or Kos and checking how many friends he has on Facebook (cause he's the type to want to be loved and elevated).

[Milster]

That is a lot of feedback. I also have an arm injury. Fortunately only one arm. Severe nerve damage, lost complete use of arm temporaily, 4 surgeries, nerva graft and lots of therapy later I have quite a bit of use again. Like McCain I can't lift my arm over my shoulder. I also play soccer. When I started with my team I just said I don't or can't do throw-ins - didn't explain why. About 5 times I said "I can't do throw ins" as my new team mates forgot. After the game a well meaning ref told me that if I practiced I'd be able to do throw ins. Since all I ever said was "I can't "or "don't" do throw ins how was he or anyone else to know the difference. Since McCain has never attributed his lack of computer skills to his injuries, how would anyone know. He still hasn't, others are guesing as to why or how his injuries might impact his typing ability. I was amused by the ref . He had no way of knowing that I wasn't choosing not to do throw-ins. We still don't know whether McCain has simply choosen not to embrace technology. Like many others I don't think it is important if he emails or not. The point of the commercial was that he has not kept up with the times. To turn it into an attack on his war record is assinine.

[Vidsweet]

Part 5: Health stuff comments:

(After you've read McCain's possible injuries.)

Aren't these issues of equality and fairness what you Democrats talk about all the time? I didn't know you guys mock handicapped, sick, or injured people. Or is it just women's and minority equalities that count? (BTW, your women equality line is crap as it is, given how you've treated a woman VP nominee & Hillary with disrespect). You should be ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES!

Yeah, we McCain voters like to think about things, such as the veracity of your mean-spirited attacks on a guy's injuries. We think, we listen to our gut and seek information. That's why we didn't get swayed by the media. BTW, the MEDIA and YOU OBAMA SUPPORTERS , and no one else, are to blame, should you lose this election year. You were the top dog this year! But you shone the light on an unexperienced, unvetted Pres nominee over the experienced Hillary. It would've been great to have Hillary v. McCain, but alas, you Dems chose the wrong candidate. How silly.

If you want to talk about the Psychiatry of this Obama Mania, then I can point you to the CULT mentality. In this case, Cult of Personality, but cult nonetheless. But that is a really long topic, so just look it up yourselves, or you know, observe your fellow Obama supporters.

[Vidsweet]

PART 4: Health stuff.

4) Your hands and feet have so many nerves and blood vessels in such a tiny space. When something breaks, the bones can fracture and shards of bone can cause more injury. When there's trauma to the hand, and blood vessels are occluded or break, no blood goes to that area. The cells served by that vessel dies. Sometimes the remaining good cells heal and grow well. More likely, those cells get scar tissue, and again, less flexibility.

Those are just MY THEORIES. I could be wrong. There are many, many more possible damages and injuries that can explain this. I've given you the basics, with words a lay person can understand. Go research the rest, because you people are not really worth typing this much for. However, it is worth it to honor a man like McCain who doesn't deserve being made fun of because he was injured in the service of his country. To mock him is to mock our courageous servicemen/women. It also shows disrespect to people with handicaps or injuries. What, you've never been sick? Broken an arm or leg while playing baseball? Twisted your ankle? Twisted your wrist? Hit that "funny bone" and had that unpleasant lightning feeling travel down your arm?

[Vidsweet]

Part III: Health stuff...

3) Know anyone with arthritis? Ask them what it's like.
Info: Part of it is that the normally smooth joints can bend. People with arthritis get severe pain because these joints get ragged or inflamed, or loses its synovial fluid.
Someone whose fingers have been tortured obviously had abnormal pressure and stress on those joints. It can damage those joints. How about healing? Sometimes, scar tissue builds on what should've been flexible and smooth joints. This obviously makes it harder and perhaps painful to move those joints frequently as one would have to do while typing.

Know any GRANDPARENTS with arthritis? YOU YOURSELF? Go be sensitive about it, would you?

[Vidsweet]

PART II: Health stuff...

2) Many Americans are afflicted with something called CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME. You've heard of it, but it affects a lot of typists and secretaries. You may have even experienced it when you get overzealous spitting & typing your vitriol against McCain.
Info: The problem is that there's a "Median Nerve" that passes through a thick sheath where your wrist is. That sheath can be inflamed, or can be constantly compressed, such as when you lay your wrist as you type. So the nerve gets compressed and not work as it's meant to. Even if you use those soft pad things, it is still painful.

So what do people with this syndrome feel? Well, because it is a NERVE, pain radiates from the nerve to the palms and fingers. Like hitting your funny bone. Numbing, tingling, like electric shocks. it is an uncomfortable and sometimes extremely painful condition. Go research it.

So, if McCain was tortured, it's possible that tunnel-like sheath that contains the median nerve has been damaged if they twisted his wrist, or hammered it, etc. Scarring after trauma to the hand makes it worse because the scar thickens inside that sheath. Now the median nerve has smaller space and gets more compressed. So typing gets painful real quickly.

[Vidsweet]

PART 1: Message about HEALTH issues and injuries:
I know medical issues. let me inform you about handicaps before you dismissMcCain's injuries & service. Let's figure this out, ok?

Looks like McCain can use the blackberry and a cellphone. what does this mean?
Can he click it or scroll things with his thumb? APPARENTLY.
Can he compensate for his injuries like people with their arms in a cast can manage to work around their handicap? APPARENTLY.
Does his use of other electronics mean he can type on a keyboard? NO. NO, NO.

First of all, we don't know the full extent of his injuries, and frankly, if you've already fought and been tortured for your country, you don't owe anyone any damned explanation. BUT I think these are POSSIBLE problems can affect TYPING but NOT SCROLLING, holding, etc. MY THEORIES:

1) Your fingers have 3 JOINTS. When I type, I use all 10 fingers and bend the joints. Are McCain's joints broken? I dunno, could be. *Experiment:* I want you to put on a SPLINT on your typing fingers and TRY TYPING WITHOUT BENDING YOUR FINGERS. Can your big thumb fit on those small lettered keys? ----Slow, isn't it??? tons of typos? When you PUSH the "Answer" button on your phone, how many fingers do you use?
One can hold things and bend the joints, but it's harder to push against something, such as the impact of the bent fingers have to repeatedly hit those keyboard keys.

Continued...

[swogwarbler]

First they say McCain can't use a computer. Then when it's pointed out he doesn't email because of his damaged arms, they show that he can use a computer and cell phones, rendering the ad by Obama a lie any way you look at it. Ridiculous.

[TheBad]

What a waste of time. I annot believe this is concidered news. And Obama made a ad out of this. Its getting easier everyday to decide who to vote for.