As has been discussed already through most of the internets by now, the Presidential Inaugural Committee has selected Microsoft’s Silverlight as the technology of choice for streaming video of the inauguration on the interwebs. This has two big things to say about Obama.
- Obama is more than happy to use inferior, under-adopted technology when the costs associated with its use are being underwritten by a large company that probably had a lot of wealthy, liberal donors give money to him. I’m sure that Adobe and Apple also have lots of wealthy, liberal donors that gave Obama money as well, but it looks like Microsoft greased the wheels a little better than the competition. Surely, better options for streaming video content to a wider variety of platforms was available, right? (Oh, and Moonlight doesn’t count.)
- See, with Silverlight, unless you’re running Windows XP or Vista, or OS X on an Intel Mac, you’re not going to watch his inauguration on the internet. What about all of those poor children with Linux-powered netbooks? They’ll have to use their televisions to watch. Thank goodness the DTV switch hasn’t happened yet, because I’m sure they don’t have the money to buy their converter box, with the government running out of coupons and all.
What I’m getting at is that Obama really isn’t about inclusiveness or bringing people together, despite his hippie communist rhetoric. He’s just another politician pandering to the sources of money that will keep flowing as long as he needs them to. Poor people don’t give you money, but they give you votes. Once you’ve got their votes, you don’t need them again for another 4 years. Who gives a rats ass if they can’t watch your swearing in? You’ve got the cash cow to milk now, and in 3.5 years or so, he’ll start making promises about jobs, health care, and tax refunds (for those who don’t pay taxes) again. Woo!
Sure, I’m a cynic about Obama. But I’m not about to bend over an take bad behavior because the first black guy is taking office and it’s “historical” and should be embraced. Bad policy is bad policy, and affirmative action in the White House is a bad fucking idea, no matter who the recipient of the preferential treatment is.