Well, he was in Congress while these technologies developed, certainly. And he voted on bills that saw Federal monies go to Pfizer, so can he take credit for all the boners that old men got in the last decade as well?

Um... Gore was basically instrumental as a Senator in the development of the Internet. He directly worked toward it. Vint Cerf, the "father of the Internet," credits Gore's work.

Wi-Fi was developed by ACR and AT&T, and later defined and regulated by IEEE 802.11 and the Wi-Fi Alliance, both non-profit, non-governmental organizations that oversee the development of the Wi-Fi standard. The most that the government has had in the development of Wi-Fi is the FCC releasing the spectrum area that uses the standard.

Now if Vic Hayes says that McCain was indeed instrumental in the development of Wi-Fi, I'll eat my words with a fork.

So, John McCain never said he invented Wi-fi and mobile phones, but he does claim this:

Under John McCain's guiding hand, Congress developed a wireless spectrum policy that spurred the rapid rise of mobile phones and Wi-Fi technology that enables Americans to surf the web while sitting at a coffee shop, airport lounge, or public park.

I would really like to see what his actual level of involvement was in the development of those policies.

He may not have invented wi-fi, but was probably one of the first to use a piece of string held taut between two oatmeal containers as a "mobile phone."

He is going to get crazier as the election nears. Because people will start paying more attention after Labor Day, this is going to be HILARIOUS.

Ryan2065: So, John McCain never said he invented Wi-fi and mobile phones, but he does claim this:

Under John McCain's guiding hand, Congress developed a wireless spectrum policy that spurred the rapid rise of mobile phones and Wi-Fi technology that enables Americans to surf the web while sitting at a coffee shop, airport lounge, or public park.

I would really like to see what his actual level of involvement was in the development of those policies.

I'd like to know more specifics, too. I don't know about cell phone standards or the proliferation of its technology, but Wi-Fi as a standard was developed entirely by non-governmental entities.

In fact, the governmental development, unless I'm seriously missing some specific legislation, is mostly due to the FCC freeing up parts of the spectrum.

McCain was indeed head of said Senate committee '97-'01 and
'03-'05, but I don't really see any way the committee has specifically resulted in the proliferation of wireless technology.

I don't know what it was like '97-present, but McCain isn't even the ranking minority member of the subcomittee on Science, Technology, and Innovation. And, funny enough, John Kerry is the head of that subcomittee.

This is Wi-Fi...Wigh Fidelity. What that means is it's the wighest quality fidelity.

You know, I'd love to see him try to pull this out during a debate, only to have Obama hand him a Blackberry and tell him to demonstrate the wireless functions.

oldebayer: He may not have invented wi-fi, but was probably one of the first to use a piece of string held taut between two oatmeal containers as a "mobile phone."

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Well, he is old enough. I believe this!

Hell they guy probably invented fire too...

McCain said rich means $5m a year and then gave out a laugh. WTF does that mean?

oldebayer: He may not have invented wi-fi, but was probably one of the first to use a piece of string held taut between two oatmeal containers olive oil amphorae as a "mobile phone."

FTFY

Woah wait, we just got unlimited texting plans? PLANS? awesome. I remeber back in 2001 trying to tether my laptop to the AT&T cell network as a dialup to Earthlink. They said something to the effect of: "Sorry you can't make data calls over cellular, unless you want to pay for satellite or something. That's like $10 a minute"

Yea, it would be so awesome to get mobile tech on my phone that other countries have had for years.

Of course he invented Wi-Fi. If you people would learn to use "The Google" you might find these things out. As soon as McCain learns how to log on by himself he'll gladly update Wiki for you to check it out with little fuss.

KramericaWallet: McCain said rich means $5m a year and then gave out a laugh. WTF does that mean?

Not a lot. He was ducking the question of "at what point would you define rich," talking how happy people are rich in non-financial ways, or some shiat. Then he says something like "say five million," but it was obvious even to me (in no way a McCain supporter) that he wasn't serious.

His next sentence was "that answer will be distorted," iirc. Which is true, and perhaps not entirely undeserved.

Trap-Door Spider: No where does it say he created any of these technologies.

FTA
Unter John McCain's guided hand, congress developed a wireless spectrum policy that spurred the rapid rise of mobile phones and Wi-Fi technology that enables Americans to sure the web while sitting at a coffee shop, airport lounge, or public park.(Had to quote that by hand, stupid KOS)

The truth lies somewhere in the middle. McCain is trying to claim credit for something he does not even understand.

Flying Code Monkey: He was ducking the question of "at what point would you define rich," talking how happy people are rich in non-financial ways, or some shiat.

As a working class hero i'd say "rich" is 100k+ a year. Well maybe not rich, but comfortable. Anyone who dissagrees is trying to figure our how they can work a Ski-Doo payment into that budget.

Trap-Door Spider: It means that he doesn't have any use for class warfare and the politics of envy.

Yeah, we should let them eat cake.

slobarnuts: Woah wait, we just got unlimited texting plans? PLANS? awesome. I remeber back in 2001 trying to tether my laptop to the AT&T cell network as a dialup to Earthlink. They said something to the effect of: "Sorry you can't make data calls over cellular, unless you want to pay for satellite or something. That's like $10 a minute"

Try this (new window).

/old school

themindiswatching: slobarnuts: Woah wait, we just got unlimited texting plans? PLANS? awesome. I remeber back in 2001 trying to tether my laptop to the AT&T cell network as a dialup to Earthlink. They said something to the effect of: "Sorry you can't make data calls over cellular, unless you want to pay for satellite or something. That's like $10 a minute"

Try this (new window).

/old school

Moot point now.

Now that I have read that link... shiat, old school, you weren't kidding.

And even on the point, well not on the point. 300 baud wouldn't have been acceptable.

He really thinks he's Tesla

slobarnuts: Now that I have read that link... shiat, old school, you weren't kidding.

And even on the point, well not on the point. 300 baud wouldn't have been acceptable.

Yeah. Supposedly, the newer ones can do 28.8kbps now...but when the first world has broadband of some sort in most hotels and homes, and the places that don't have it have RJ11 jacks, it's pretty much not needed. :)

slobarnuts: 300 baud wouldn't have been acceptable.

I had awesome games of Leagend of the Red Dragon at 300 baud. For some reason i miss the old BBSs.

themindiswatching: Yeah. Supposedly, the newer ones can do 28.8kbps now...but when the first world has broadband of some sort in most hotels and homes, and the places that don't have it have RJ11 jacks, it's pretty much not needed. :)

Actually to a lot of people, 28.8k steady (as opposed to burst) would be pretty acceptable to many people on a mobile connection. But I digress, it would be awesome to have a red rotary phone.

It's really fascinating that McCain played such an instrumental role in the spread of cellphones and Wifi, without knowing how to use a computer or the internet.

Aarontology: You know, I'd love to see him try to pull this out during a debate, only to have Obama hand him a Blackberry and tell him to demonstrate the wireless functions.

I came in to say something similar. Ask him to explain in very general, laymen's terms what wi-fi is.

Trap-Door Spider: All the statement said was that he chaired a committee that put forward policy. No where does it say he created any of these technologies.

You people are just trying to project Gore's smug arrogance onto somebody else. It's not going to work.

Gore never said he invented the internet either. It's really just a meme now that even he jokes about.

Especially considering "The Internet" existed before Gore ever held any public office. People think the web is The Internet.

And yet nobody outside of Fark or the Kos will even hear about this, whereas everyone knows "Gore invented the internet." Liberal media my ass.

Gore was overheard saying this to McCain:

I'm surprised that people still believe Gore made that claim.

I think the GOP is testing the masses with McCain. "Lets see if our reliable voting block will vote GOP no matter what we do or say. We have to see how far we can lower their standards before 2012."

He's also married to Morgan Fairchild. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Shvetz: I'm surprised that people still believe Gore made that claim.

I don't think most people do. Whenever I talk about Gore inventing the internet I'm obviously joking. Like I said, the farking military invented it like 40 years ago or more.

bubbaprog: And yet nobody outside of Fark or the Kos will even hear about this, whereas everyone knows "Gore invented the internet." Liberal media my ass.

That's the message that Kossacks want to portray. Never mind that Gore oversimplified his statement and McCain's specifically mentions policy and growth.

krelborne: bubbaprog: And yet nobody outside of Fark or the Kos will even hear about this, whereas everyone knows "Gore invented the internet." Liberal media my ass.

That's the message that Kossacks want to portray. Never mind that Gore oversimplified his statement and McCain's specifically mentions policy and growth.

What specific policy? I challenge you to actually show me what policy McCain pushed that resulted in the proliferation of wireless communication technology. Gore, on the other hand, pushed specific legislation towards the development of the Internet, and Vint Cerf has given him credit for his work.

bubbaprog: And yet nobody outside of Fark or the Kos will even hear about this, whereas everyone knows "Gore invented the internet." Liberal media my ass.

That's because Karl Rove made sure to place Gore's out of context quote on every television set in the Western World. It was really when we first saw Rove's 'Say it enough and it becomes true' philosophy.

hubiestubert: Well, he was in Congress while these technologies developed, certainly.

By that logic, expect McCain to claim he invented the internal combustion engine.

Ed.: Shurely he meant Hi-Fi and portable gramophones.

Bloody William: Gore, on the other hand, pushed specific legislation towards the development of the Internet, and Vint Cerf has given him credit for his work.

And if he would have said what McCain said, which is that he pushed legislation, instead of using the word "create", which means "to bring into existence", then he wouldn't have to deal with all of this mockery. Which was my point.

Shvetz: I'm surprised that people still believe Gore made that claim.

"During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet."

Direct quote. How is that not claiming he invented the Internet?

"Under John McCain's guiding hand"...

I wonder how much a man can provide a guiding hand in the development of policy for new technology when he doesn't even know how to use a computer?

This is just another pathetic attempt by McCain to make people think he's tech-savvy. I hope someone (maybe Olbermann) can dig into this and see what he actually did. I'd like to see his definition of "guiding hand".

Subby's headline says "John McCain ... claims he invented Wi-fi and mobile phones".

I read TFA, and I didn't see this anywhere. All it said was that McCain was the head of a Senate committee that developed a policy which "spurred the rapid rise of mobile phones and Wi-Fi technology".

He isn't claiming to have "invented" anything. He's saying that he was in a position of unique responsibility at the time the committee developed its policy, which helped the rise of mobile phones, etc. How does that equate to him claiming to have "invented" it?

Oh, the liberals are looking for something to counter the "Al Gore invented the Internet" thing. That's right.

Kar98: Shvetz: I'm surprised that people still believe Gore made that claim.

"During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet."

Direct quote. How is that not claiming he invented the Internet?

Context is useful.

kleppe: Subby's headline says "John McCain ... claims he invented Wi-fi and mobile phones".

I read TFA, and I didn't see this anywhere. All it said was that McCain was the head of a Senate committee that developed a policy which "spurred the rapid rise of mobile phones and Wi-Fi technology".

He isn't claiming to have "invented" anything. He's saying that he was in a position of unique responsibility at the time the committee developed its policy, which helped the rise of mobile phones, etc. How does that equate to him claiming to have "invented" it?

Oh, the liberals are looking for something to counter the "Al Gore invented the Internet" thing. That's right.

From the site:

"Under John McCain's guiding hand, Congress developed a wireless spectrum policy that spurred the rapid rise of mobile phones and Wi-Fi technology that enables Americans to surf the web while sitting at a coffee shop, airport lounge, or public park."

That's taking credit for policies that somehow resulted in the proliferation of cell phones and Wi-Fi. If he can show specifically how, I wouldn't laugh at this. However, like I said before in the thread, Wi-Fi and cell phone technology, unlike the Internet, were developed from the beginning by private organizations, both corporations and non-profit groups. The standards are set by non-government organization. I don't farking see how McCain's position on that Senate committee has anything to do with "the rapid rise of mobile phones and Wi-Fi technology."

Kar98: Direct quote. How is that not claiming he invented the Internet?

Do you know more about the Internet than Vint Cerf? No? Then STFU.

Well, following his logic that his idea for the surge spurred the sunni awakening... then yes, I guess he did.

Too bad his logic is farked.

John McCain also invented the light bulb and founded GE.

crazy.old.coot.