BusinessWeek on America’s CTO gets to top of TechMeme
Hah, at the top of TechMeme right now is a BusinessWeek article about who America’s CTO should be if Barack Obama gets to be President.
Um, Google “America’s CTO?” and you’ll find my article on the topic where I ask Larry Lessig about this (the video of Lessig is a must-watch on this topic).
TechCrunch gets into this too. I guess I’m not the only tech blogger doing politics lately.

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October 21st, 2008 at 3:23 am
The Lessig video was excellent.
October 21st, 2008 at 4:10 am
Craig M.: Yep
October 21st, 2008 at 9:42 am
Google for President!
October 21st, 2008 at 9:48 am
I think that the CEO of http://www.assbrellas.com should be CTO.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:53 am
Wouldn’t it be great if Vint Cerf, Tim Berners-Lee or Bill Gates were chosen?
Who would you all select?
October 21st, 2008 at 10:49 am
Tim Berners-Lee would be the best. As a second choice I favor Richard Stallman.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:11 am
Well, you could argue that this last year America experienced a kind of system crash. If nothing else, I think that day the Dow dropped 800 points was the equivalent of getting the blue screen of death. So if you look at things that way, a Federal CTO would definitely be in order.
October 21st, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I’m going to avoid commenting on choice of whom, and say that it was a good call the month(s) ago when you posted the article.
I’m also going to say that I hope you continue to focus on the gold (technology) like you have…
Who knows, maybe you’ll talk both with something like voting machines.
First and foremost, I’m here for the tech. Doesn’t mean other stuff won’t come up. Maybe we’ll here more about your family
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:19 am
[OT] - Hey Robert, look at this: http://geekandpoke.typepad.com/geekandpoke/2008/10/scoble-whine-index.html
:)
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:33 am
lol, i would choose bill!
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:20 am
I do not mind hearing discussion about politics even from technology people, but the tone of the discussion can be a factor. But, I’ve been thinking about the issue a bit more, and I want to apologize for my comments in the prior post.
Taken as a whole, your comments, both political and technological, have shown nuance and respect for opposing views. I objected not so much to the fact that you have different ideas about some things than I do, but that you used language that only adds tension to the already polarized political landscape.
I am proud to be an American for the good we’ve done, the innovations we’ve led, and the diversity of thought we are capable of in our best moments. We are not a perfect country, but what country is? At least we can disagree with each and our government officials in a public context without fearing for our lives. Not everyone in the world has this blessing.
I don’t see why you can’t say that you are an American who believes certain things that others don’t. You are then free to explain why your ideas have more merit than competing ones. As long as you respect my right to disagree, I have no issue with that.
So anyway, I admire your work ethic, your eagerness to help others, and your understanding of the tech industry. I will continue to follow your updates, but if you care about what I think, try not to use such provocative rhetoric in your political commentary. Of course you are free to say what you want, but I am also free to get my news from people who respect my way of seeing things.
Regards,
Nick
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:27 am
Nick: you didn’t see Sarah Palin’s comments where she called large swaths of Americans “Un American?” That’s what that whole post was a reaction to.
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I have been following the campaigns carefully, but I have not seen or heard Sarah Palin use the phrase “un American.” If you can provide a link, I will consider it in context.
I did hear her comments about celebrating “pro-America areas of this great nation.” To me, that is just her way of pointing out that some people cheer on America and think of it as a great and good nation, a country with flaws but still a noble place of opportunity and hope, while others do not see America in this way.
This is not the same thing as saying that anyone who disagrees with me or with us is un American.
I won’t comment further about politics here, since it is your site and you are entitled to your views. I’m just asking that you take into account and respect those of your readers who think differently about political matters. If enough people do that we can, with our discussions and disagreements, build a better America together.