Sen. McCain, You've Got Be KIDDING Me!

I'm a political junkie like the rest of us here at NDN, but I often leave the political ribbing to others more versed in the game. But on The Huffington Post this morning, I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief at an interview of U.S. Sen McCain admitting that he doesn't know how to use a computer.

When asked by the Politico's Mike Allen whether he uses a Mac or PC, here's what he said:

Neither. I am an illiterate that has to rely on my wife for all the assistance I can get.

I mean, really? How does he not know how to use one of the most simple, yet important, technologies in our homes, workplaces, research labs, schools, universities, and enterprises? When NDN talks about the importance of preparing children and adults for the 21st century economy, we didn't think to count McCain as one of the "illiterates." He might just be an excellent candidate for our proposed program that would provide free computer and IT training at community colleges. Sen. Obama, who evidently "gets" the power of computers and the internet given his extraordinary online fundraising and outreach to voters, has endorsed this idea. What's most scary about this is that Sen. McCain simply seems out of touch with the modern ways of the world. And he admits it, with no apologies. How can he envision and plan for America's future when he has no interest in or curiousity of current modes of communication, commerce, and education? Sure, Sen. McCain pre-dates the computer age, but how many of us have parents or grandparents who log on every now and then? I respect Sen. McCain immensely for the sacrifices he's made for this country, but times, they are a-changin'. Sen. McCain's already been left behind.