Interviews: Ask John McAfee About His Presidential Run 157
samzenpus writes: He's run a multi-billion dollar company and hidden in the jungles of Central America while being chased by Belizean authorities, but John McAfee's presidential bid may be his most interesting adventure yet. Last week John said: "Our government is in a dysfunctional state. It is also illiterate when it comes to technology. Technology is not a tool that should be used for a government to invade our privacy. Technology should not be the scapegoat when we fail to protect our digital assets and tools of commerce. These are matters of priorities," when announcing his run. According to his Cyber Party website: "Donkeys and elephants just don't make sense in the modern world. If the federal bureaucracy adopts technology in a meaningful way, it will become much easier to adapt to changes in policy or procedure. 10 hour long congressional hearings will no longer be needed for a simple change in workflow. By adapting a lean approach to government, the amount of savings that can be realized by improved efficiency will eliminate the need for wholesale changes to foundational policies. Other parties consistently lag behind trends in technology – Cyber Party members are committed to staying ahead of the curve and remaining proactive in policymaking." John has agreed to answer any questions you have about his step into politics or any other questions you may have. As usual, ask as many as you'd like, but please, one question per post.
Ahen,, (Score:1)
Are you insane?
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Are you insane?
Yes, he is.
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Anyone that runs for President is insane. It's sort of a job requirement. Certainly, being insane wouldn't disqualify anyone. So, yes, he is qualified to run for President on that criteria.
you sir, are no Dwayne Comacho (Score:2)
Maybe a Trump / McAfee 2016 ticket would cover all bases.
What will you do when you become president? (Score:5, Interesting)
What is your agenda for the first 100 days of the McAfee administration?
Re:What will you do when you become president? (Score:5, Funny)
And will be be able to uninstall after that date?
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Nuclear Power using LFTR (Score:5, Insightful)
John, what is your position on Nuclear Power?
Would you support the re-opening of research into liquid fluoride thorium reactors. These reactor designs, and the thorium fuel cycle were researched back in the 70's and can solve both our energy crisis, be far more environmentally friendly than uranium based fuel cycles, and can even used 'spent' uranium reactor fuel as fuel sources, allowing us to reprocess our vast quantity of spent fuel into less harmful waste, while also capturing the energy from them (instead of having it wasted heating water in spent fuel ponds).
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Would you support the re-opening of research into liquid fluoride thorium reactors.
As much as this question is flamebait, the truth is that many people smarter than me see these types of reactors as the only really feasible way out of the environmental mess that we're in. They reduce the need to release carbon, and at the same time clean up the mess that light water reactors leave behind.
I would support a presidential candidate on this basis alone.
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This is really a more generic question about energy subsidies. Thorium needs many billions from goverment to be commercially viable (why else do you think it isn't happening?), but there is also great demand from other technologies. Is Thorium the best way to spend that money, or would some other renewable system be better? Storage tech perhaps. Or just no subsidies for anyone, let them stand on their own merits.
Yeah, I'll get right on that (Score:1)
Yeah, I'll get right on that....because I really care about what this aging crack addict thinks about foreign policy.
(sigh) Just kill me now. Please.
Re:Yeah, I'll get right on that (Score:4, Interesting)
Yeah, well, look, with Donald Trump running (and having momentum), running for president is now officially a free-for-all.
If I was rich and nobody's told me "no" in a decade or two, I'm sure I could be convinced that I could run for president while balancing random fruits on my head and calling my party the "Hell no to GMOs" party.
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Yeah, well, look, with Donald Trump running (and having momentum), running for president is now officially a free-for-all.
It used to be that people asked themselves if they should run for the office of president, now they ask themselves, "Why shouldn't I run for president?"
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(sigh) Just kill me now. Please.
This is probably the #1 thing not to say to John McAfee.
Serious questions for a serious candidate. (Score:4, Funny)
In your opinion, what are the societal implications of electing an alleged murdering drug addict to the office of President? As a followup, if elected will you install a stripper pole in the oval office?
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In your opinion, what are the societal implications of electing an alleged murdering drug addict to the office of President? As a followup, if elected will you install a stripper pole in the oval office?
Odd he's starting his own party.
It sounds like he's the one who could finally challenge Trump in the Republican primary!
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In your opinion, what are the societal implications of electing an alleged murdering drug addict to the office of President? As a followup, if elected will you please install a stripper pole in the oval office?
ftfy
technology? (Score:4, Insightful)
that's the least of a president's worries. Trade, strategic alliances, military actions, departments of education, transportation, etc.......
never vote for someone just because they "understand technology", and the fundamental problems of the USA even regarding privacy are not in the realm of technology, but rather of who really wields power. Someone who doesn't understand corporate fascism will only become part of the problem
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To make a long story short
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I thought Carter's B.S. from Annapolis was in engineering.
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No it was an uspecified Bachelor of Science degree. He took six month reactor operator training after that. People might be confused as to the term "engineering officer" aboard a nuclear sub, but that is not a designer type of "engineer". A train engine operator type of engineer is closer to truth
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But he understood other things too, He was Secretary of Commerce under Harding and worked on relationships between banks, government, business, labor
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Or I'm old; I wasn't around when he was president but was alive when he was writer
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Or, to put it differently: If we're going to become issues voters and only vote on the technology issue, why should we vote for you instead of Lawrence Lessig?
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never vote for someone just because they "understand technology",
Also keep in mind that if someone makes decisions about technology that you don't like, they probably know exactly what they are doing.
They have someone on staff who can explain. You want someone who supports your position, not necessarily someone who "understands technology"
Cyber Policies (Score:2)
Will your cabinet be allowed to WFH?
Nuclear Fusion (Score:3)
John, what is your position on Nuclear Fusion?
Would you support increased funding for US participation in ITER? I believe increased funding would allow ITER to achieve it's goals faster. Would you also support alternative programs for researching fusion, including the re-opening of the NIF (National Ignition Facility) which was exploring inertial confinement fusion?
Clearly, the US can afford such massive undertakings, just be switching its priorities from war (military spending) to peace (energy research)
If we had near unlimited free energy, there is a lot we could do to help the planet, including completely phasing out coal, natural gas, and oil for electrical production.
1 issue candidate? (Score:1)
I don't want to be overly critical with this question as many other candidates can be cast under this umbrella as well (Donald with immigration, Bernie with ridiculous spending policy, Hillary with illegal email is ok... etc).
Aside from the obviously important issues of information security what are you other positions and although you may not have been able to articulate a complete platform by now who might you share positions with on other issues (between say Ron Paul, and John McCain). I'd also
Will You Legalize ALL drugs?? (Score:1)
Not a question, but a suggestion: (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Not a question, but a suggestion: (Score:5, Interesting)
If my vote would be mostly a joke anyway, I'd like it to be a joke that's actually funny, and one that I can pretend might actually solve problems I care about. McAfee is my candidate.
Margin of victory (Score:2)
What do you think will be your margin of victory? Do you think it'll be a landslide?
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What do you think will be your margin of victory?
About (-100)%. I'll get exactly two votes, mine and some dead guy from Detroit.
Do you think it'll be a landslide?
On top of me? Yes...
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>> some dead guy from Detroit
Not true. The dead are a reliable Democrat bloc.
Fine. (Score:3)
Mr. McAfee,
As President of the United States, would you make any significant changes to what drugs you take and how often you take them? If so, could you give us a general sense of what those changes might be?
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Mr. McAfee,
As President of the United States, would you make any significant changes to what drugs you take and how often you take them? If so, could you give us a general sense of what those changes might be?
He will be using the JFK cocktail.
What will be your foreign policy intentions? (Score:1)
I guess I don't really need to elaborate. It's a huge subject to go into any nuance, but surely you can generalize for me.
Copyright (Score:2)
Do you feel that copyright protections on art and entertainment are too weak or too strong, and do you intend to do anything about it?
Why not run under the Democrats/Republican party? (Score:4, Interesting)
Third party runs in the US aren't really given a remotely fair shot.
Specifically the republican party primary seems like you would have the best shot there... I would be shocked if you can't make it to the top 10...
How do I uninstall McAfee antivirus? (Score:2)
How do I uninstall McAfee antivirus?
It really bogs down the 10 year old electronic voting machines and the trial expired years ago.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
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That is really him in the video isn't it? OMG.
Cybersecurity Knowledge? (Score:4)
Trump (Score:5, Interesting)
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Sorry to grammar police you but your punctuation was way off. Reformatted:
What are your thoughts on Donald Trump, another businessman (???), and why are you more qualified to be president?
Your stance on offshoring/outsourcing (Score:2)
See subject: Your thoughts on what needs to be done on the account of outsourcing/offshoring jobs in the United States, most specifically on the software industry related front?
* I think you'd be a great candidate on privacy issues, and from what I've read from you on that note plus your industry experience, there I have little doubts in your knowledge & experience... the above question is what I am interested in, as it affects the USA as a whole.
(I'm semi-retired from the field myself, only doing contr
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Did you offshore your hosts file creation yet?
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Last I checked, you stopped replying, but I guess you didn't find that thread.
Can your hosts files block the host file advertisements I keep finding disguised as Slashdot posts?
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Can hosts file:
1. Stop APK Spam?
2. Make you not sound like an insane drooling moron?
3. Make your typing style not extremely painful to read?
4. Work without admin privileges?
5. Handle Dynamic host or geographic distribution of hosts?
Run FORREST Run!
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Still can't answer a single question asked of you? Run FORREST Run!
I don't need to answer your questions, I use other programs to do what your "program" does, and none of them have the serious security problems your program has.
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Browser addons such as adblock plus does not require privilege escalation in order to install, your software requires privileges in order to even update.
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Lol, lame sockpuppet again, grow up APK, no one thinks people actually talk exactly like you and worship the ground you walk on.
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Another lame sockpuppet, nobody thinks this isn't you APK.
funding (Score:1)
Snowden (Score:5, Interesting)
Would you pardon Edward Snowden?
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Would you pardon Edward Snowden?
I came to ask this. Alas, no mod points.
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As an inverse to this, would you order the CIA to execute the traitorous bastard?
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purpose of government (Score:2)
What is your best time? (Score:1)
Can you run in under 2 hours 30 minutes?
Or are you slower?
life (Score:1)
Where's the rest of the platform? (Score:5, Interesting)
We understand where you stand on surveillance. Where do you stand on these issues?:
firearms
abortion
gay marriage
investing in prisons and drug stings vs. investing in job training and job creation
legalizing marijuana
keeping the FCC from preventing flashing of consumer electronics with new firmware
net neutrality
the Keystone XL pipeline
amnesty for illegal immigrants
streamlining guest worker visas for legal immigrants
HB-1 visa quotas
lowering the skyrocketing levels of student debt
making healthcare affordable or subsidizing paying for it
investing in our roads and bridges
making Internet a common utility like water and electricity
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We understand where you stand on surveillance. Where do you stand on these issues?
Add to that:
Stance on Israel
Nuclear power
Renewable power
Carbon-based power
Fusion research
Edward Snowden
Manned space exploration
Robotic space exploration
Recent Russian expansionism
Syrian and African refugees
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Hello,
To add to the list:
campaign finance reform (wrt. Citizens United v. FEC)
copyright infringement (should it be a civil or a criminal matter)
education (vouchers for private schools)
intellectual property (in particular, patents on software)
prostitution (legalization of)
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky
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Thanks. That's quite helpful. There are still some things I'd like answered out of my original list.
Why don't you proofread your website? (Score:2)
Priorities (Score:3)
Would you rather fight one horse-sized Hillary Clinton or 100 duck-sized Donald Trumps?
Also, "Cyber Party?" Is that like a group sex chat room? I do not want to have a cyber party with you.
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One World (Score:5)
Hello Mr. McAfee,
The world largely views the USA as a bully and full of very wealthy people that don't care about those less privileged. As president of the USA, how would you advance world cooperation and work to change world views of the USA to just another location in the world full of mostly average non-privileged individuals living out their lives?
Unrelated, my best friend almost ran you over at Defcon. He wasn't looking where he is going and apologizes.
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Follow-up: how DID you make it to DEFCON this year after getting picked up for DIU and weapons charges?
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2... [theregister.co.uk]
>> how would you advance world cooperation and work to change world views of the USA to just another location in the world full of mostly average non-privileged individuals living out their lives?
And for the last poster: why should this be a priority? Is this a question about reducing the size of the terrorist bulls-eye on us or what?
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The world largely views the USA as a bully and full of very wealthy people that don't care about those less privileged.
We were promised that the world would love us if we elected Obama. Did the world break it's promise?
Why do you live in west Tennessee? (Score:2)
Why do you live in west Tennessee?
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Easy river access - this guy knows how to travel.
Wow (Score:2)
I don't know what's more exciting - this, or the Ellen Pao court case!
What is your stance on prostitution in the USA? (Score:1)
Would you clamp down on commercial sex, or move towards legitimizing it?
Comment removed (Score:3)
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He has been working on driving the nail through his foot and decided that running for president actually was the better option.
Reality (Score:4)
Anti-virus (Score:2)
Is there anything you can do about self-reproducing laws? Like how people repeatedly make it illegal to murder, to show they are "tough on crime"?
How can we take you seriously? (Score:3, Insightful)
Clueless (Score:3)
What Technologies? (Score:3)
Broken Summary? (Score:2)
I thought he left McAffe (the company) before the whole Belize incident. Or did he run another big corporation at that time?
BS alert (Score:2)
"By adapting a lean approach to government, the amount of savings that can be realized by improved efficiency will eliminate the need for wholesale changes to foundational policies."
The line which amounts to "We will save so much under my administration that I will give you all this pork for NO COST!" has been used before, and it was bullshit back then.
If you are cynical, you should avoid this line because other cynics (cynical about government? this is a large population) will see your BS clearly. If you
single issue much? (Score:2)
everyone knows that the american people vote on single issues, but your campaign site takes the prize.
besides cyber security and police state and using technology on goverment processes, what is your second most important issue? if there is any.
target campaign goal? (Score:2)
Do you have a target goal for the amount of money you need to launder via your campaign? or are going to keep on even after that amount is met?
Federal security forces (Score:2)
Would you disband the NSA and TSA, and replace them with a Federal Bureau of Tree-Cops?
Rules of engagement for cyber espionage (Score:1)
Well Rounded Governement (Score:2)
The key issue I've read about relating to your campaign is that the government is "illiterate when it comes to technology". Governing, like managing and leading, requires being an expert in working with advisers, it's up to those advisers to be experts in their fields. Technology aside, what makes you more qualified than other candidates in the fields of National Defense; Foreign Affairs; Environmental Protection; Infrastructure Management; Resource Management; Financial Management; Employment Stability; a
runaway freight train (Score:1)
Mr McAfee, your campaign seems to have the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why are you so popular?
Likelihood (Score:1)
What do you feel the likelihood of getting elected is as a numerical percent?
Can't have a criminal in office! (Score:1)