"Obama’s iPad/iPhone App Hits the App Store Tonight"

[Ballygrl]

blah blah blah blah blah at the article, the fun part is the comments section. I found this while reading at the OET, seems like there's lots of insensitivity at the DUmp in reference to the poor and unemployed:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x353292#354361

Clio the Leo  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 01:38 AM
Original message
"Obama’s iPad/iPhone App Hits the App Store Tonight"

(Article Removed)

I still have my original Obama '08 ap that I refuse to delete ... because I'm a dork.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 03:05 AM
Response to Original message
2. It must be nice to have the money to buy the iphone.
   Edited on Thu Jun-24-10 03:43 AM by saracat
Who ARE all these folks with money? It isn't as though there are jobs! Is this the "base" the party wants to appeal to? People are losing their homes and their utlities and OFA is campaigning by Iphone?

Beacool  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 09:35 AM
Response to Reply #2
3. Well, the youth and those making over 150K were 2 of his biggest demographics.
   They'll be the ones buying it. Me, I'd rather not have any politician's propaganda downloaded on my iphone. I wonder how much this will cost the campaign?

Starbucks Anarchist  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 01:10 PM
Response to Reply #3
9. Yes, only the rich and young have iPhones.
   It's such a niche product that costs thousands of dollars.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 03:02 PM
Response to Reply #9
14. What is stunning is that some think $200 is nothing when Duers are posting they are losing
   internet access entirely because they no longer have jobs OR unemployment insurance!

Starbucks Anarchist  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 03:08 PM
Response to Reply #14
16. I didn't realize DUers were representative of the entire population.
   Edited on Thu Jun-24-10 03:14 PM by Starbucks Anarchist
$200 may be nothing to some people and something to others, but to try to shame people about how they choose to spend their own money because other people happen to be suffering (as if suffering is a new concept) is the height of arrogance.

By your logic, you shouldn't live on more than $1 a day because billions of people in the world have that predicament.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 03:15 PM
Response to Reply #16
19. I am not shaming DUers but I am question exactly who the "base" of the
   Democratic Party is is OFA is concentating on those with IPhones.

tammywammy  (1000+ posts)        Thu Jun-24-10 06:40 PM
Response to Reply #3
71. I have an iPhone.
   I make #33,000/year. I bought it with the money I received back on Administrative Assistant's Day from my people.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 08:41 PM
Response to Reply #71
81.  Congrats. You have a job.

tammywammy  (1000+ posts)        Thu Jun-24-10 08:53 PM
Response to Reply #81
86. Yes, I'm very lucky to have gotten a job after being laid off last year
   I'm also very lucky to have such great coworkers. My cell phone was literally falling apart and my very generous admin day gift paid for a new phone for me.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 09:00 PM
Response to Reply #86
88.  And I truly am happy for you.

Clio the Leo  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 09:43 AM
Response to Reply #2
5. I ate nothing but Ramen soup for a year so I could save the $200 to buy it...
   

.... HA! Seriously ... it's $200 .... it's not a Maybach ... it's a phone.

It's certainly CHEAPER than a personal computer .... that we used to POST ON DU. .... Now you could POST on DU with your iphone .... might be a good idea ... buy an iphone ... sell your computer and donate the money to charity.

   

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 02:57 PM
Response to Reply #5
12. $200 is nothing to you? Seriously? That is grocerious for a month
   and with no frills.

ProSense  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 04:39 PM
Response to Reply #12
39. Are you seriously trying to argue that people who spend $200 a month on groceries
   don't or can't buy an iPhone?

Seriously?

There are people who travel by donkey with iPhones. Don't you think people save to buy things they want? Don't you think people purchase things on sale or used?

The price of the phone and who can or cannot afford it is irrelevant to the announcement in the OP.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 04:43 PM
Response to Reply #39
41.  Yes. And I question the timing of this announcement.It is tone deaf. I wouldn't expect you to
   understand or offer empathy. It may surprise you to know that msny of those whose unemployment ran out this aeek also have to spend more than that on meds. The timing of this is "insensitive" at best

ProSense  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 04:45 PM
Response to Reply #41
42. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the announcement or the timing.
   Nothing.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 04:52 PM
Response to Reply #42
44. To you. It may be different to the unemployed. It is an issue of sensitivity.
   I am sure you do not understand. Long term unemployed People have just been denied an income, Apple celebrates in a haze of publicity, the new Iphone and the WH offers free apps to those who can afford to pay for not only the Iphone but the monthly fees,while these folks can't pay a light bill or for groceries. There are no jobs looming for them on the horizon. And this happens the same week. Whatever. It doesn't effect you. I get it.

ProSense  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 05:03 PM
Response to Reply #44
47. "I am sure you do not understand. "
   You make a lot of assumptions and also appear to believe that you speak for the unemployed.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 05:07 PM
Response to Reply #47
48.  No but as I am one and know many, I have a reasonable amount of knowledge of their pain.

ProSense  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 05:12 PM
Response to Reply #48
51. And you assume others don't?
   Like I said, this announcement has nothing to do with the unemployed, the cost of the phone or who can or cannot afford it. There are many things people cannot buy, choose not to buy and cannot afford. I'm sure the umemployed are not offended by the sale of Obama memorabilia, and I doubt there is going to be uproar because a phone went on sale.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 05:22 PM
Response to Reply #51
53. I think my answer has already been made. Funny how after chastising me
   for speaking for the unemployed, you decide to do so but undoubtedly you find it acceptable in your own case.

ProSense  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 05:33 PM
Response to Reply #53
59. "you decide to do so " I did no such thing.
   This, "I'm sure the umemployed are not offended by the sale of Obama memorabilia," is an opinion based on the fact that there is no evidence to the contrary.

These Eyes (210 posts)        Thu Jun-24-10 05:22 PM
Response to Reply #48
54. I'm unemployed...
   and this announcement doesn't bother me a bit. How someone chooses to spend $200 of their own money has absolutely no effect on my life -- and yours neither, to be honest.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 05:23 PM
Response to Reply #54
55. That is your opinion and you are entitled to it.

These Eyes (210 posts)        Thu Jun-24-10 05:41 PM
Response to Reply #55
60. Trying to control what other adults...
   choose to do with their OWN money makes no sense. You'll only end up frustrated and bitter.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 05:52 PM
Response to Reply #60
61.  Wow. How many times do I have to clarify that what I am saying is about PR and sensitivity to an
   Edited on Thu Jun-24-10 05:53 PM by saracat
issue?

[Chris_]

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 03:02 PM
Response to Reply #9
14. What is stunning is that some think $200 is nothing when Duers are posting they are losing internet access entirely because they no longer have jobs OR unemployment insurance!

wow, that's a long thread.

[Ballygrl]

IndianaGreen  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 09:19 PM
Response to Reply #34
95. The I-phone is manufactured in a Chinese sweatshop
   where there have been several suicides, and where workers are exposed to dangerous chemicals.

The amount of money that you may pay for an I-Phone, and the data plan that goes with it, may not seem like much to you, but for most Americans it is a luxury they can ill afford.

This is a good plan if all you wanted was to get Yuppies to vote.

That's the argument they use against Walmart all the time.

saracat  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 07:52 PM
Response to Reply #67
73.  One more time. I do not CARE about whether anyone buys an IPhone. I am talking about the lack of
   sensitivity displayed by the OFA/WH communications team in reaching out and publicizing that they do so to those who are able to participate in a relatively large expenditure during the same week Congress has declined to extend unemployment benefits to the long term unemployed. And as of yet, though I asked,absolutely no one has produced an answer as to the "other ways" the unemployed and poor are being targeted by OFA for their vote.

And I never flaunted expensive purchases( not that I had many) during a time of nation economic depression and record unemployment.

People certainly are entitled to buy what they want when they want to. But OFA could have used better timing or discretion.Just my opinion. You are free to disagree.

[Chris_]

Clio the Leo  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 09:43 AM
Response to Reply #2
5. HA! Seriously ... it's $200 .... It's certainly CHEAPER than a personal computer .... that we used to POST ON DU

Speak for yourself.  I love Tiger Direct

[Ballygrl]

wow, that's a long thread.

What I posted isn't even a 1/4 of it LOL.

[Ballygrl]

MineralMan  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 08:51 PM
Response to Reply #68
85. Good for you. Really.   
   But, please think of other instances when people say, "I got mine." Most of those are unpleasant, and are followed by, "so screw you." I've heard that from Republicans for years.

I'm glad you have yours. You're a good person, I'm sure. But, please, think about what it sounds like. Thanks.

Umm, this Republican never said screw you and BTW hubby and I aren't big cell phone users so we use Tracfone!

MineralMan  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 08:22 PM
Response to Original message
77. While I have no problem with people buying this phone if they   
   Edited on Thu Jun-24-10 08:23 PM by MineralMan
can afford it, I do have a problem with pushing it into the faces of those who cannot, and that group makes up a very important segment of the Democratic party.

I suspect that everyone who is clamoring to buy the new iPhone version already has an iPhone in their purse or pocket. I assume that all of those iPhones are still functional. So, what will you do with your current iPhone? Is it somehow no longer adequate for your needs? Will it go on the shelf with all the other antiquated cell phones you have owned?

Me? I have a Tracfone, and I can call on it or answer calls on it. I paid 8.95 for the phone and $100 for 800 minutes and a year's service. That was over a year ago. This year, I paid the same $100 for another year and another 800 minutes. I can call anyone from anywhere with that phone.

I can't browse the web with it, or check my email, but I have a nice 6-year-old Dell computer at home that does that very conveniently and that has cost me less than $100/year so far., and an even older Dell notebook that's still working just fine.

I'm glad that some DUers have the new iPhone. That's great. But, when you're tempted to gloat about it, or want to brag about the cool new apps you can now use, you might want to take a moment and consider all of those Democrats you hope will vote for Democratic candidates who can't afford any cell phone at all, or who are reduced to a disposable cell phone they use very sparingly.

Bragging about your good fortune is not a Democratic value, as far as I'm concerned. I think it's great that you're doing well. I sure know a lot of people, right here on DU, who are not. We have active DUers who are activists in party activities who are using a dial-up modem to connect to DU, and for whom the latest iPhone is not even a consideration.

So, good for you if you lined up and bought your new iPhone today. I'm happy for you, bless your hearts.

Oh no, MineralMan has a Tracfone like me.

[Chris_]

Umm, this Republican never said screw you and BTW hubby and I aren't big cell phone users so we use Tracfone!

Thumbs up from another TracFone user.  I swear I spend $5 a month on my phone... just what I need.

[Texacon]

LOL!  Great find.  Wait until Saracat hears about bobbo the hobo's iPhone!

KC

[Texacon]

hahahahaha

I'll bet MineralMan was one of those kids who was bitter growing up because his family couldn't afford the cereal so he could get the super secret decoder ring that everyone else was using to decode the super top secret message on the back of the cereal box!

KC

[Ballygrl]

Thumbs up from another TracFone user.  I swear I spend $5 a month on my phone... just what I need.

Yep, we have a great phone, and hubby's had people actually use his phone because they couldn't get a signal on their expensive phones. I love not having an $89 per month bill.

[Ballygrl]

ProSense  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 08:57 PM
Response to Reply #77
87. This is off base.

Who are you to tell people what they can be happy about? Who's bragging. Are you saying that people can't be excited about a gadget? Seriously, owning an iPhone is not about good fortune. There are people who do not make a lot of money who have them. It's a free country.

MineralMan  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 09:04 PM
Response to Reply #87
89. It is a free country. So, I will say what I think.   
   Actually, owning an iPhone is about good fortune. It just depends on where the observer is standing. It's all good fortune when we can own what we do not need. I watched the lines at the Apple store. Later in the day, I drove by the Union Rescue Mission in Saint Paul, on my way to a business appointment.

I'm a socialist at heart and a Democrat by necessity. When I think something is excessively proud or when someone gloats over their good fortune, I will point it out. You and I agree about most things, as you will know if you are familiar with my posts. On this thing, we disagree. It is not off base. It is reality for a very large minority in this country. I am asking those who have good fortune to be happy in their good fortune, but not to throw it in the faces of those who do not. I think that's fair enough, don't you?

Again, I'm happy for those who have the good fortune to be able to afford an iPhone and the service plan that lets them use it. I wish them all the best.

Tomorrow, I will send a check for $200 to the Union Rescue Mission in St. Paul, and continue using my Tracfone. I will say what I think. I will say it politely, but I will say it.

ProSense  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 09:08 PM
Response to Reply #89
91. "Tomorrow, I will send a check for $200...
   to the Union Rescue Mission in St. Paul, and continue using my Tracfone."

And what about the people who can't afford to send that $200 or purchase an iPhone? In fact, what about the people who can't afford your good fortune:

MineralMan  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 09:11 PM
Response to Reply #91
92. Some of them will benefit from that donation. That's what about   
   them. You are tilting at the wrong windmill here. Please stop reading what you want in my posts. I consider iPhones to be an extravagance, particularly if one already has a working iPhone. You may not agree with that. That's just fine.

Again, please read the bulk of my postings. We agree on almost everything. On this, we do not.

A donation to an organization that feeds and houses the homeless is not equivalent to buying an iPhone. Sorry. It's just not.

ProSense  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 09:17 PM
Response to Reply #92
93. "I consider iPhones to be an extravagance"
   Owning a car is an extravagance. Owning a computer is an extravagance. Owning a cell phone, regardless of its cost, is an extravagance. Again, you are free to live your life as you see fit, but you cannot dictate how people should live theirs. Also, why are you assuming that someone with an iPhone doesn't make donations to such organizations?

I've posted about the administration's initiative to end homelessness, and I notice that it has largely gone ignored.

MineralMan  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 09:06 PM
Response to Reply #87
90. To add. You will note that I am not TELLING anyone anything.   
   I asked. I said please. That is all I can do. I have no power to tell anyone to do or not to do anything. I can ask, though. Please tell me you are not opposed to my asking people to avoid gloating over their good fortune...

Clio the Leo  (1000+ posts)          Thu Jun-24-10 09:41 PM
Response to Original message
98. WOW Saracat! Thanks for kicking the heck out of this thread...
   .... I'm sure many more of my fellow bougie liberal elitists were thus able to see it after they got home from a long day of standing in line at the Apple store no doubt weary from the 7am sun.

I'm gonna write the President, tell him you deserve a special commendation for helping to rep his new iphone ap.

[Celtic Rose]

Oh the humanity!!!!  People are daring to spend $200 on a phone, and discussing it on the internet, while there are unemployed people!  

[Texacon]

Oh the humanity!!!!  People are daring to spend $200 on a phone, and discussing it on the internet, while there are unemployed people!  

And O'bama's brother is still living in a refrigerator box!! 

KC

[Ballygrl]

And O'bama's brother is still living in a refrigerator box!! 

KC

It's such hypocrisy the lack of outrage by the left in reference to his brother making $100 per year and living in a hut.

[BEG]

I have an iPhone.....screw you DU.

[Randy]

Yep, we have a great phone, and hubby's had people actually use his phone because they couldn't get a signal on their expensive phones. I love not having an $89 per month bill.

I pay $126 a month for unlimited calling, text and data.




on 5 phones.



 

[Ballygrl]

I pay $126 a month for unlimited calling, text and data.

on 5 phones.

Having a plan is such a waste for us because we hardly use the cell phone as it is. Hubby and I have a Tracfone, and I also pay for a Tracfone for my Mother, and I'm still able to use an older like a brick Tracfone which we use for our business line, I spend maybe $300-$350 per year for 4 Tracfones. I admit though that I went to AT&T's site and fell in love with a couple of phones there, and it looks like they have 4 pay as you go plans there and 1 plan is 25 cents per call flat rate with no daily usage charge, it's very tempting.

[Randy]

Having a plan is such a waste for us because we hardly use the cell phone as it is. Hubby and I have a Tracfone, and I also pay for a Tracfone for my Mother, and I'm still able to use an older like a brick Tracfone which we use for our business line, I spend maybe $300-$350 per year for 4 Tracfones. I admit though that I went to AT&T's site and fell in love with a couple of phones there, and it looks like they have 4 pay as you go plans there and 1 plan is 25 cents per call flat rate with no daily usage charge, it's very tempting.

I moved over from an AT&T/Cingular/AT&T Go Phone. I had the rollover minutes and had the max limit banked. I have 3 step daughters who wear out the text messaging feature of the phones we have now. If I had to pay for text I'd go broke. Thank God for unlimited plans.

[JohnnyReb]

I don't have a cell phone.


I've seen the government ads for free cell phones.


I want my free cell phone.


Somebody owes me a free cellphone.


I demand my free cell phone now.


BTW...where's my damn pony?

[thundley4]

Having a plan is such a waste for us because we hardly use the cell phone as it is. Hubby and I have a Tracfone, and I also pay for a Tracfone for my Mother, and I'm still able to use an older like a brick Tracfone which we use for our business line, I spend maybe $300-$350 per year for 4 Tracfones. I admit though that I went to AT&T's site and fell in love with a couple of phones there, and it looks like they have 4 pay as you go plans there and 1 plan is 25 cents per call flat rate with no daily usage charge, it's very tempting.

My wife and I both have Tracfones, and probably spend maybe $200/year total.

[delilahmused]

Okay but what if the person has an old iPhone bought when the economy was booming (during the Bush presidency, before the left talked into the ground). Might they also want the app? Why do they assume everyone is running out and buying a brand new iPhone just to download the iPhone app? And doesn't bobo the hobo own one? And she's homeless.

Cindie

[njpines]

I have a Net10 phone which is basically the same as a Tracfone.  $100 gets you 1 year and 1000 minutes and I've yet to get through 1000 minutes in a year.  Flat rate for texting is .5 minutes per text.  I've had it since '06 and I currently have a surplus of about 2900 minutes.  Husband has an AT&T plan which thankfully runs out next month so he's dropping it as soon as the renew service date arrives -- with all taxes included it's about $52 a month (no texting) and it's totally not worth it!

[DumbAss Tanker]

 

Sounds like saracat is subbing for Bobo the Hobo!



I have very little need of a cell phone, but I have one on a cheap and limited plan so I have one handy for emergencies.  I only turn it on to make calls out, and use it so rarely that I have forgotten where the charger is.  I need another $100+/- bill like a need a hippo in the farm pond.

[AllosaursRus]

Speak for yourself.  I love Tiger Direct

Ever tried ZipZoomFly? Shipping is cheaper for those of us in FlyOver country.

I haven't bought a complete 'puter in over 12 years!

[AllosaursRus]

Sounds like saracat is subbing for Bobo the Hobo!



I have very little need of a cell phone, but I have one on a cheap and limited plan so I have one handy for emergencies.  I only turn it on to make calls out, and use it so rarely that I have forgotten where the charger is.  I need another $100+/- bill like a need a hippo in the farm pond.

What a cool idea! Know where I can get one? lol!