John McCain's missing Technology Policy

[Coexist]

And Ill tell you what; I’d go to… I’d go to corporate America. I’d go to Silicon Valley and I’d say to John Chambers, who is a billionaire, You’ve made your money, now come, come and serve, come and serve this country. I wouldn’t care if these people with these great expertises, great talent, that have made America the leader of the world, economically and innovation, I’d go to these people and I’d say, Now come and serve your country.” John McCain, First Republican Presidential debate

John Chambers answered the call and joined Senator McCain’s campaign in February, 2007.

From the article:

McCain's national campaign co-chairs include John Chambers, chief executive of Cisco Systems Inc., a technology company that spent $1.4 million last year lobbying in Washington on immigration, digital television, personal data privacy and security, patent legislation and trade issues.

A little history here, Cisco Systems has gotten into some muckety-muck over questions about whether they sold software to China that helps their dictatorship monitor their citizens. They were hauled before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on International Relations and said they didn’t.

Meanwhile, McCain has been Mr. Ballsy Q. Maverick on this issue up until last year, stating “China astonishes the world with its economic and technological modernization, but then spends billions trying to control that great icon of the modern era, the internet.”

November 2007 McCain now thinks that corporations should just adopt a “do what you feel is right in your heart” policy towards those who may or may not be assisting in violating these sacred human rights.

JM: Well, obviously, it was an unacceptable act. And then apparently they tried to cover it up some time ago. Yahoo is a great, great corporation. They have contributed so much. And it’s embarrassing, and it’s frustrating. But could I also say that part of the problem lies with China, in that they have the kind of a government that remains oppressive, repressive. They select their leaders at a seaside resort in secret. And it argues for us pressing, not only that Yahoo never do such a thing again, but that we have more human rights, more democracy, more progress in China itself. By the way, as you know, Google made a deal with China, where if you google “tiananmen square” in China, you’ll see a very peaceful scene, but if you google it outside of China, you see the young Chinese man standing in front of a tank. So, Yahoo isn’t the only one that’s guilty here. My message to people in Silicon Valley, in high-tech, and people who do business in China, is you’d better not accede to assisting that government in maintaining an oppressive and repressive society. It doesn’t pay dividends in the long run. It harms the image of American corporations. And, very frankly, it confirms the suspicions of some Americans that, for the sake of profit, major corporations in America will do most anything. So, look, I regret it. I don’t think it was Nazi Germany and a lot of the overheated rhetoric that we have a tendency to hear at Congressional hearings. But, I do think it should be a shot across our bow, in recognizing that we’ve got to stand for what America is all about. And, many years ago, when we passed a law that said we couldn’t bribe foreign countries in return for doing business, everybody said “Oh, this will make it an uneven playing field. We’ve got to bribe as others do.” But, the fact is, we didn’t have to because we provide the best and most advanced technology in the world.

MA: So, I’m not 100% sure on your position. You mentioned that Google has also done some things, and so has Microsoft. Skype, which is owned by eBay, reportedly helps the Chinese government monitor and send through text messages. Again, these are all allegations that have been made. I don’t have any evidence. Cisco supposedly sells hardware to the Chinese government that helps them monitor the population. Do you think that US corporations should be banned from doing business with China in a way that perpetuates human rights abuses, or do you think that they should just know better on their own?

JM: Well, one, I think they should know better. Two, the exposure that they will get sooner or later if they are doing things that are in violation of the fundamentals we believe in, then action can be taken one way or another. But, as you well know, it’s not as simple as some would describe. For example, so-called dual-use technology. There are many products that come out of Silicon Valley that can be used for the greatest good, and can be used for the worst way – invasion of privacy, checking up on people, surveillance, and all that. I’d love for it to be black and white, but some of it is gray. But, at the same time, we have to do everything in our power to maintain the integrity of America and our commitment that all of us are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. That’s all of us, including people who happen to be citizens of China. I’m not prepared to quote punish these corporations yet, but I think they ought to know exactly what public reaction will be if they engage in those activities that cause abuses of human rights.

Except where Immigration is concerned, then of course, the Federal Government should step right in!

Immigration reform, which nearly derailed McCain's campaign last year, still ranks among his top priorities. His dogged call for more visas for skilled foreign workers embraces a top legislative priority for Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), Intel Corp. (INTC), Oracle Corp. (ORCL) and a host of other high-tech companies.

.

That his buddy's company Cisco Systems "spent $1.4 million last year lobbying in Washington on immigration, digital television, personal data privacy and security, patent legislation and trade issues" has nothing to do with his stance, of course.

So my issue is – when McCain finally reveals his Technology Policy, will it contain more Cisco-friendly policy than United States-friendly Straight Talk? And what is taking him so long to release it?

I think maybe we should all pay attention to the Lobbyists R Us camp over there when this finally comes out.

[niceypoo]

1. Republicans believe oil magically wells up from the core of the Earth....

Republicans hate higher education because educated people tend not to vote Republican. I have been in college classes where republicans run out upset at the professor going over the syllabus. I can see why technology isn't high on their list, their rank and file are basically morons when it comes to science and learning in general.

[Coexist]

2. but with Mr. Technology on board, whats the holdup with the plan?