The O-Pad

Citizens, as of immediate notice the following devices have been banned...The I-Phone, I-Touch, I-Pad, X-Box & PS3. Please check www.governmentapproveddevicesforabetteromerica.com for a complete comprehensive list & future updates. Theses devices must be turned in to your local ACORN immediately or face charges of immediate arrest & treason. To replace said devices the Governments new Technology Enhancement & Wellness division will be delivering the new O-Pad. The O-Pad has all necessary capabilities that Citizens need & none of the applications that are frivolous & not necessary to live a fruitful life as a Citizen. With usual Government efficiency the O-Pad will be ready for pre-order immediately at www.O-Pad.com . It will be ready for delivery in September, 2075.

For those of you that do not understand the above joke because you do not have access to certain devices or news sources please see the link above for a link to the actual commencement speech that Obama made recently. Below are the key quotes...

"And meanwhile, 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 always rank that high on the truth meter. And with iPods and iPads and X-boxes and PlayStations — none of which I know how to work — information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation. So all of this is not only putting pressure on you; it's putting new pressure on our country and on our democracy."

Was this said by the same guy who is supposed to be tech savvy & used social networking to get elected & push his agenda now in office? The same President that is the first President to have a CTO? Which for the record is a good idea. Why did he name the products by name? Did he not understand the ramifications? Couldn't he have said that you need to better yourselves & not spend all day on social networking sites & playing games on-line. Go out & socialize with people. Play football & basketball with a ball & friends & not on a coach w/a controller?!?

For the record while I agree we are over-fed non-stop news & opinion without back-up or facts. However, these devices are not to blame & like most things they are double-edged swords. You can easily waste your time on them or us them as a valuable tool both professionally & socially. One can also waste their time hitting a little white ball on an over-watered field that is privatized (Barry, tell me...how would you like being banned from the golf course while President & have your Blackberry taken away?)or one can hike through a National Park & help clean it up.

What info is OK to view & when? Who is to say? Our President? I think it's covered in the 1st Amendment if I'm correct. These devices are tools & like any other tool can be used for good or bad. A hammer can build a home to provide one's family with shelter. It can be used to drive a nail into a wall to hang a painting & add beauty to ones home. It can also be used as a weapon & cause grievous harm. The I-devices are not going away. They will become more & more an integral part of our lives. The key with all tools is to use them properly. To be properly educated both at home & in school. To use some common sense. Something that seems to be missing in our society lately & lacking among our intelligentsia. Who knows...maybe they will come up someday with an app for that...

In the meantime...if anyone decides to come after my I-Touch, X-Box or my soon to be purchased I-Pad...please make sure you are familiar with the 2nd Amendment...