Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Obama: Technology becomes 'diversion' rather than 'a tool of empowerment'
The Hill ^ | 5/9/10 | Bridget Johnson

Posted on 05/09/2010 1:53:49 PM PDT by NormsRevenge

President Barack Obama cited the influx of new technology as "putting new pressures on our country and on our democracy" in a commencement address to graduates at Virginia's Hampton University on Sunday.

"You’re coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don’t rank all that high on the truth meter," Obama said. "With iPods and iPads; Xboxes and PlayStations; information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment.

"All of this is not only putting new pressures on you; it is putting new pressures on our country and on our democracy."

Obama said that education would "fortify" the graduates to meet the challenges posed by these changes.

The president said education not only leaves the students prepared to compete in a global economy, but "it can also prepare you as citizens."

"With so many voices clamoring for attention on blogs, on cable, on talk radio, it can be difficult, at times, to sift through it all; to know what to believe; to figure out who’s telling the truth and who’s not," Obama said. "Let’s face it, even some of the craziest claims can quickly gain traction. I’ve had some experience with that myself. Fortunately, you’ll be well positioned to navigate this terrain.

"Your education has honed your research abilities, sharpened your analytical powers, and given you a context for understanding the world," the president added. "Those skills will come in handy."


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: 2crazy; 2crazytobeprez; diversion; empowerment; lunatic; obama; technology
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-54 next last
To: NormsRevenge

FUBO!! I will use all the “new technology” I can and will NOT be dumbed down, told to shut up or told to go back to the “plantation”! FUBO!!


21 posted on 05/09/2010 2:07:22 PM PDT by WellyP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Wild Irish Rogue
Obama, a self-enpowering tool.
22 posted on 05/09/2010 2:09:31 PM PDT by Hoosier-Daddy ( "It does no good to be a super power if you have to worry what the neighbors think." BuffaloJack)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Hoosier-Daddy

Well it took one judge to hand the Feds a stinging rebuke with this thing called “net neutriality”.


23 posted on 05/09/2010 2:10:14 PM PDT by Biggirl (I Have A New Rainbow Bridge Baby, Negritia! =^..^=)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
"....all kinds of arguments, some of which don’t rank all that high on the truth meter..."

Zer0 should know.

Does the Truth Meter's calibration go below zer0, into the negative region?

24 posted on 05/09/2010 2:12:38 PM PDT by Paladin2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

He doesn’t know how to use an IPOD? How does he explain this article in the U.K. Guardian dated Wednesday 25 June 2008? http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2510069/posts


25 posted on 05/09/2010 2:14:03 PM PDT by shooter223 (the government should fear the citizens......not the other way around)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Hahahaha! Odouchebag’s worried about “the truth meter!”

Excuse me. I must laugh more.


26 posted on 05/09/2010 2:16:51 PM PDT by StopObama2012 (CLICK ME to expose Osaudi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

He has a Blackberry and he doesn’t know how to operate an iPod?

Yeesh.


27 posted on 05/09/2010 2:19:31 PM PDT by GulfWar1Vet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cripplecreek

“Starting to sound a bit like Pol Pot.”

I think he is beginning to sound like he’s ON pot!;)

He probably thinks all us counterrevolutionary capitalist running dogs should be out in the fields harvesting sugar cane!/s;)


28 posted on 05/09/2010 2:21:55 PM PDT by Frank_2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Tzimisce

Yes he is.


29 posted on 05/09/2010 2:22:43 PM PDT by jospehm20
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
People do not often express their evil motivations or purposes, but they hide them behind deceptive speech. Obama is not concerned about the influx of new technology, but he is concerned that he cannot control these avenues of information. Every dictator claims to create repressive laws for the good of the people. It is about power and control. Nothing scares a socialist or a statist more than the free flow of information. The last thing that a dictator wants is people talking with one another.
30 posted on 05/09/2010 2:25:19 PM PDT by Nosterrex
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

THEN, why do they want to wire every school kid with a computer????


31 posted on 05/09/2010 2:30:15 PM PDT by goodnesswins (Destroy AMERICA.....Vote DEMOCRAT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Obama just don’t like free speech.


32 posted on 05/09/2010 2:35:51 PM PDT by kempo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Obama is mad because we actually find out what his cabal is doing to the country. If we were ignorant and uninformed he assures us the assimilation process would have gone smoother... It got news for Obama, real Americans unlike him, believe in the POWER OF FREEDOM....

“Live Free Or Die”


33 posted on 05/09/2010 2:36:31 PM PDT by Typical_Whitey (Obama Admin policy on stopping terror attacks in the US is to rely on Dumb Luck.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

“some of the craziest claims can quickly claim traction,”

In other words, it’s all about him. He can’t help himself but to try to defend himself by labeling his detractors as crazy, even at a commencement.


34 posted on 05/09/2010 2:36:39 PM PDT by kenth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Let me guess ... Obama wants the thought police to start writing thought crimes. Its 1984.


35 posted on 05/09/2010 2:37:15 PM PDT by Mozilla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Nosterrex

Nothing he can do to stop kids from texting and tweeting each other about what an @$$ he is.


36 posted on 05/09/2010 2:39:35 PM PDT by coydog (Time to feed the pigs!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: kenth
it’s all about him.

U.S. President Barack Obama waves before delivering the commencement address at Hampton University in Virginia, May 9, 2010. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS EDUCATION)


37 posted on 05/09/2010 2:42:13 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard .. Chuck DeVore - CA Senator. Believe.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Sounds like Obama needs a Josef Goebbels.
38 posted on 05/09/2010 2:46:17 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (FYBO: Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims reserve the right to kill anyone who says otherwise.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kempo

“”You’re coming of age in a 24/7 media environment that bombards us with all kinds of content and exposes us to all kinds of arguments, some of which don’t rank all that high on the truth meter,” Obama said.” Well, he is right about the last part of that statement in that most of the stuff coming from the white house is not high on the truth meter at all. This is just another swipe at the non LSM for portraying der Leader in a correct but unflattering light on most issues.


39 posted on 05/09/2010 2:47:39 PM PDT by Mouton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: coydog

prez O iz a weeny. LOL :~D


40 posted on 05/09/2010 2:51:19 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-54 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson