John McCain, inventor of the BlackBerry

Politics aside, we're totally cracking up that McCain policy adviser Douglas Holtz-Eaken told reporters today that his BlackBerry was "the miracle that John McCain helped create" -- dude, BlackBerrys are Canadian.

[Via Wonkette, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Big Wizz @ Sep 16th 2008 2:13PM]

Hey, if Al Gore has the Internet, why not?

[Knives_Out @ Sep 16th 2008 2:37PM]

Obama's campaign rips on McCain for not being able to use a computer, but the guy uses or has other people use the technology for him.

He'd would probably use computers/technologies himself if he didn't have painful arthritis in his hands stemming from injuries sustained while he was a prisoner of war.

Low blow from the Obama campaign.

[Ken @ Sep 16th 2008 2:40PM]

Sustained as a prisoner or crashing planes?

[NakedOldGuy @ Sep 16th 2008 2:44PM]

There were a few POWs who lived in my neighborhood when I grew up. They don't use computers now, either, because of arthritis. They also yell "GET OFF MY LAWN!" and would be a terrible President. Guess I don't have to doubt McCain being a POW - he is pretty damn similar to my old neighbors.

[Steveorevo @ Sep 16th 2008 2:45PM]

"Doesn't know how to use a computer" !? I guess he can always call India for tech support, or how to run the economy.

Remember folks, he's the America's war hero like Randy 'the Duke' Cunningham! He was a P.O.W. for your sins!

[Knives_Out @ Sep 16th 2008 2:46PM]

Ken @ Sep 16th 2008 2:40PM

Sustained as a prisoner or crashing planes?

------------

his injuries never healed properly because he was a prisoner of war .. wasn't like they put him in a hospital and set his broken bones.

[Knives_Out @ Sep 16th 2008 2:48PM]

NakedOldGuy @ Sep 16th 2008 2:44PM

There were a few POWs who lived in my neighborhood when I grew up. They don't use computers now, either, because of arthritis. They also yell "GET OFF MY LAWN!" and would be a terrible President. Guess I don't have to doubt McCain being a POW - he is pretty damn similar to my old neighbors.


-------------

similar because he's old? what's your point ... old people suck?

[Michael @ Sep 17th 2008 3:47AM]

Absolutely.
Yes, the adviser is an idiot for not phrasing it more carefully than that, but an adviser saying it is different from Gore's own deliberate lie.

But once Obama, through his campaign mouthpiece Rhodes, started accusing Palin of pedophilia, all bets were off on the truth.

When even the Atlantic Monthly is working for Obama, nothing Obama says has any credibility, so why hold McCain-Palin to a double standard?

And by extension, America's so-called journalists are going to have to pay for this when the election's over, no matter what the outcome. They are all fair game now.

[Yuriy @ Sep 16th 2008 3:01PM]

That's all stupid medias. Sometime they even say that that and that stars make such and such think and its was never happen - its normal here, in USA:-) That's how they make money.

[Skeezle @ Sep 16th 2008 3:02PM]

"He'd would probably use computers/technologies himself if he didn't have painful arthritis in his hands stemming from injuries sustained while he was a prisoner of war."

A friend of mine works for a company that sets up disabled (truly disabled, not arthritis) to use computers. They have a lot of technologies including one that tracks your eye movements and moves the cursor accordingly. You are going to tell me this guy can't use a computer due to arthritis? No, he can't use a computer because he is old, and like a great number of old people, technophobic.

2Old2Bprez...

[fred @ Sep 16th 2008 3:08PM]

So Engadget, since you now want to try your hand at political reporting, will you actually post McCain's response when he heard about what was said?

"Meanwhile, McCain senior aide Matt McDonald said that the senator “laughed” when he heard the comment.

“He would not claim to be the inventor of anything, much less the BlackBerry. This was obviously a boneheaded joke by a staffer,” McDonald said"



Oh btw here is the actual quote from the spoksperson:

"“Telecommunications of the United States, the premiere innovation in the past 15 years, comes right through the Commerce Committee. So you’re looking at the miracle that John McCain helped create,” said Holtz-Eakin. “And that’s what he did. He both regulated and de-regulated the industry.”"

[Frankenstein Black @ Sep 16th 2008 3:08PM]

LMFAO! Juan McSame (the most dangerous Panamanian since Manuel Noriega) doesn’t even know how to use email or the “inter tubes”. Yea, go ahead and vote for this dangerous SOB and his cohort (Sarah “Ludite” Palin). Just make sure you don’t whine when he implements the draft and come a knocking at your door, because we will need bodies to continue in Iraq and Afghanistan, plus fight new wars in Iran, Syria, Pakistan and keeping those pesky Russians out of Georgia. Welcome to a McSame administration. Now stop whining DROP AND GIVE ME TWENTY, YOU’RE IN THE ARMY NOW S-U-C-K-E-R-S!!!

[Steveorevo @ Sep 16th 2008 3:11PM]

Because he's old? Thats not true, my grandparents used to email all the time before they passed away... and they were OLD.

He doesn't use a computer because he doesn't KNOW HOW, just like how he doesn't know how to run an honest campaign. See? Simple! :-)

[Poom @ Sep 16th 2008 3:12PM]

I am not an american and I don't support either side, but I think McCain's campaign has had more low-blows than Obama's. Seriously... It really irritates me that someone who's running for president has only been accusing Obama of various things to win the election.

[kidcanuck @ Sep 16th 2008 3:12PM]

@Knives_Out:

"NakedOldGuy @ Sep 16th 2008 2:44PM

There were a few POWs who lived in my neighborhood when I grew up. They don't use computers now, either, because of arthritis. They also yell "GET OFF MY LAWN!" and would be a terrible President. Guess I don't have to doubt McCain being a POW - he is pretty damn similar to my old neighbors.


-------------

similar because he's old? what's your point ... old people suck?"

So, by your logic, he is qualified because he was a pow? Straw-man arguing.

[PynkFloydd @ Sep 16th 2008 3:13PM]

@Knives_Out:

As a veteran myself, I say this: McCain is a scumbag. He can't use the internet because he's too stupid to figure it out. Why can amputies from this war use a computer and not McCain who would only have arthritis? I even know parapalegics (with service related injuries) that can drive...with specially outfitted cars. They don't complain and make excuses.

[fred @ Sep 16th 2008 3:19PM]

"doesn’t even know how to use email or the “inter tubes”.

Ignoring the rest of Frankendumbasses post, the reason McCain cant type is because of injuries from Vietnam that prevent him from raising his hands above his head or even tying his own shoes.

His 2000 run was praised by democrats for being the first to actually utilize the internet to such a great extent that it was later adopted by Howard Dean And Obama.

If some of you actually read a real news source (i.e. not the Daily Show), you would have known this.


But hey, uniformed pricks, think they really have something on McCain, so I doubt their loony toon brains would even allow themselves to comprehend what I just worte.

[lolec @ Sep 16th 2008 3:27PM]

Stephen Hawkings can use a computer, and I don't hear him complaining about arthritis.

[foodgoes @ Sep 16th 2008 3:38PM]

Gore never said he invented the internet, what he said was he was taking the initiative to create the Internet through technological and educational policies. He later was mocked for claiming to have invented the Internet, although he never made such a claim.

[Ray @ Sep 16th 2008 3:38PM]

All of you people (taking extreme sides in this election) make me sick.

Saying that this is a double standard blah blah blah, obama cant be trusted either blah blah blah. I as an american can honestly call this election a joke. Its been like this from day one. At the very least i can say Obama has maintained a some what honest appearance, hell, even maccain hasnt been all out mad, but the campaign ads and the commercials and the speeches on both sides filled with lies after lies (obama's gonna raise your taxes, mccain hates technology) are really just a turn off for voters like me.

... why did you guys get me started... this is supposed to be a tech blog damnit! Wheres my Touch Pro update and iFans when i need them!?!?

[CraigJ @ Sep 16th 2008 3:55PM]

@fred.

You actually make sense when you're not bashing apple...

+1

[GorillaSalsa @ Sep 16th 2008 3:59PM]

To Knives_Out

Those "injuries sustained" are also supposed to prevent him from lifting his hands above his shoulders. Alas! The picture on Engadget's Front page! Mine eyes!!!

[Spyvie @ Sep 16th 2008 4:08PM]

Politics aside, FUCK ENGADGET!

[Zak @ Sep 16th 2008 4:10PM]

Speaking of idiots, attention all idiots who think Al Gore said he invented the internet:

http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.asp

Read it and weep.

[Ben @ Sep 16th 2008 4:25PM]

I dont believe he has arthritis directly as a result of being a prisoner of war. I dont think attacking him for lack of technical knowledge could be considered un-patriotic in anyway, despite what the Republican Attack machine may want you to think.

[CraigJ @ Sep 16th 2008 4:39PM]

@Ben. Since you don't believe it it must not be true! Except, it is.

[Trent @ Sep 16th 2008 5:17PM]

Some of you people are complete idiots. If you do not know or understand that the government helps to create INDUSTRIES and COMPANIES by deregulation as McCain supported (in this case telecommunications), you don't deserve to vote for either candidate. McCain's adviser said he "helped create." And technically this is true but can also apply that to other office holders who support deregulation which in turns create innovations, companies, jobs, etc.

[Pauldy @ Sep 16th 2008 6:59PM]

Are you freaking kidding me Zak, nice find course it means I don't think I can ever trust snoopes for dipelling internet myths ever again. Just look at all of the quote and then the part where he actually says he took the intiative in creating the internet. WTH you have to be a complete moron to look at that and say he never said anything that could be construed as staking claim to inventing the internet. If I told you I took the initiative in creating anything would it not be a logical assumption to think I was claming it as my creation?

[loosely_coupled @ Sep 16th 2008 7:15PM]

Painful arthritis my ass.. McCain is older than my grandpa. He doesn't even know how to use a web browser...

[Benson @ Sep 16th 2008 7:46PM]

The issue Snopes focuses on is "creating" vs. "inventing"; it's true he never claimed to have invented it in the sense of knowing a TCP packet from his posterior, but he did claim to have taken initiative in creating it, in the sense of voting for a bill spending taxpayer money to hire someon to invent it.

Since TCP (which included what became IP) was published in '74, he's still lying. He helped promote it's growth after it was created, but he didn't have a hand in the creation.

[Rayon Fog @ Sep 16th 2008 9:14PM]

@ Michael: Gore was referring to the internet as we know it. How many of you knew about TCP in 1987? If you say you did, you're a liar.

@ Benson: You're also a hypocrite for having the gall to mention TCP without mentioning that the inventor of TCP unequivocally backed Gore's statement.

So let's see what a few people who actually did have a hand at creating what we know as the internet have to say about Gore's statement:

Vincent Cerf, generally regarded as the father of the internet: "The Internet would not be where it is in the United States without the strong support given to it and related research areas by the Vice President in his current role and in his earlier role as Senator."

Robert Kahn: The man who INVENTED TCP: As the two people (Kahn and Cerf) who designed the basic architecture and the core protocols that make the Internet work, we would like to acknowledge VP Gore's contributions as a Congressman, Senator and as Vice President. No other elected official, to our knowledge, has made a greater contribution over a longer period of time. No one in public life has been more intellectually engaged in helping to create the climate for a thriving Internet than the Vice President. Gore has been a clear champion of this effort, both in the councils of government and with the public at large."

Marc Andreessen, creator of the Mosiac Web Browser: "He had people buying into the concept of the information superhighway before anybody had an idea about what it would be."

Joseph Traub, pioneering computer sciences professor and founder of CSTB (if you don't know what CSTB is, look it up instead of regurgitating blather from your fellow lemmings): "[Gore] was perhaps the first political leader to grasp the importance of networking the country. Could we perhaps see an end to cheap shots from politicians and pundits about inventing the Internet?"

I'll leave it at Traub's final sentiment.

[Rocketboy @ Sep 17th 2008 9:07AM]

@ Ben.. Yes, he did not say that he invented the internet. That in itself is false. What he did say is "I took the initiative in creating the Internet.". His contribution was helping to pass leglisation that standardized one of the protocals used. He helped in the creation of the internet, but he did not take the initative in creating the internet.

[Stupidiot @ Sep 17th 2008 10:12AM]

It always surprises and frightens me just how superficial (not to mention nonsensical) the arguments and campaigning for the US presidential election can be.

[Rayon Fog @ Sep 17th 2008 10:31AM]

It doesn't so much surprise me as it saddens me that the American electorate has reduced itself to getting its politics from bumper stickers and sound-bites. Politics here are nothing more than a beauty pageant.

What surprises me is when I travel overseas and I see how much more informed foreigners are about American politics than most Americans are. Somewhere in the mid 80s, the American electorate just became disengaged,

[zonamanoz @ Sep 16th 2008 2:14PM]

"what are you wearing......"

[Engadgetier @ Sep 16th 2008 2:53PM]

nothin........ or am i

[John @ Sep 16th 2008 4:52PM]

Never thought I'd say this about a dude, but he looks TERRIBLE without makeup.

[tom @ Sep 16th 2008 6:41PM]

I was thinking if his suit is made in Italy?

[ugg.tryptophan @ Sep 16th 2008 8:42PM]

a regular, ill-fitting, conservative, american business suit; c'mon McCain cant afford a tailor and some suspenders to hide his old-man gut?

[Sisyphus @ Sep 16th 2008 2:14PM]

Defeating Canadian fundamentalism is the transcendent issue of our times.

[Russ @ Sep 16th 2008 2:24PM]

I nominate this "Best Comment"!!!

Russ

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

[Ron @ Sep 16th 2008 2:29PM]

Defeating fundamentalism just north of Canada is a more pressing issue at this time.

[puhsitch @ Sep 16th 2008 2:41PM]

For the last time, Ron, Santa Claus is not a threat.

[Engadgetier @ Sep 16th 2008 2:52PM]

Its not Santa Clause i am worried about, its the Bear.......

[thatrotierkid @ Sep 16th 2008 3:30PM]

you guys just made my day :-)

[Craig B. @ Sep 27th 2008 1:21PM]

Their PR campaign has obviously blinded you all - please, cease your misinformation. It's not the Bear, Alaska, or some jolly guy in red, it's the penguins!

If Al Gore invented the Internet, and McCain invented Crackberrys ('berries?), then what did Ross Perot create?

[Craig B. @ Sep 16th 2008 3:41PM]

Their PR campaign has obviously blinded you all - please, cease your misinformation. It's not the Bear, Alaska, or some jolly guy in red, it's the penguins!

If Al Gore invented the Internet, and McCain invented Crackberrys ('berries?), then what did Ross Perot create?

[Ron @ Sep 16th 2008 4:00PM]

puhsitch, I killed the Santa Claus project. I said "Thanks, but no thanks!"

[IndiaTech @ Sep 16th 2008 4:09PM]

Yes... It's aboot time...

[Woodrow @ Sep 16th 2008 2:16PM]

Senior McCain aide Matt McDonald said that the senator "laughed" when he heard the comment about the BlackBerry.

"He would not claim to be the inventor of anything, much less the BlackBerry. This was obviously a boneheaded joke by a staffer," McDonald said.