Keep the BlackBerry

When I had to give up my Blackberry, I actually slept better and started having cool dreams. It is a relief for some and a necessity for others.

I completely agree Jonathan. Being in the presidential bubble is one of the pitfalls of the office. There's a way for him to view-only or respond only in routine fashion that can keep Obama out of legal or security risks by using a BlackBerry. If you're wondering how President-elect Obama will deal with the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms from his CrackBerry addiction, my tongue-in-cheek letter to President-elect Obama has some answers on how he can cope: http://www.justmypointofview.wordpress.com. Welcome your feedback and comments.

I completely agree Jonathan. Being in the presidential bubble is one of the pitfalls of the office. There's a way for him to view-only or respond only in routine fashion that can keep Obama out of legal or security risks by using a BlackBerry. If you're wondering how President-elect Obama will deal with the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms from his CrackBerry addiction, my tongue-in-cheek letter to President-elect Obama has some answers on how he can cope: http://www.justmypointofview.wordpress.com. Welcome your feedback and comments.

skeetchamp "He should not do it through a Blackberry because that's a Canadian operation and that does create the opportunity for someone to find out his physical location at any given time."
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But I thought John McCain invented the Blackberry. Somebody on his campaing staff said something like that. They wouldn't lie, would they?

"Bogus security demands?!" How well does the author really understand the security dangers involved with Presidential email? Over a wireless Blackberry device no less?! There are far worse concerns than a terrorist intercepting a message of "Go Sox." Alter (and President-Elect Obama) should stick to politics and leave computer and network security decisions to those who know what they are talking about.

YES and NO. Obama should find a way to keep in constant contact with his close friends without "filters" like Emanuel. He should not do it through a Blackberry because that's a Canadian operation and that does create the opportunity for someone to find out his physical location at any given time.
Obama should get himself an iPhone. His choice of suitmakers shows his preference for American stuff and the Secret Service can work with AT&T to keep his location and communications secret until such time as they have to be revealed by law.

If the blackberry has GPS capabilities, although very common place to most, it is reason enough to get rid of it. I think he should listen to those who are trying to keep him safe.

If the Blackberry has something as simple as GPS capability, he should give it up. The people who are trying to keep him safe from harm are the ones he should be listening to when it comes to security.

I agree, keep the Blackberry!!! Obama as a politician of modern times, as President of the People for the People. For the youth and all of us working women (40's & 50's year old) who volunteered for him and received all his messages and the campaign messages in our Blackberry. Being in touch through modern technology is what made us elect him. He is in touch with us and everything we do and what we go through. He GETS IT. My dear President Elect, keep THE BLACKBERRY! Stay in touch with us.

I agree, keep the Blackberry!!! Obama as a politician of modern times, as President of the People for the People. For the youth and all of us working women (40's & 50's year old) who volunteered for him and received all his messages and the campaign messages in our Blackberry. Being in touch through modern technology is what made us elect him. He is in touch with us and everything we do and what we go through. He GETS IT. My dear President Elect, keep THE BLACKBERRY! Stay in touch with us.

If he is not using his Blackberry to discuss national security issues, he will be using the White House network, which was already hacked into by a Chinese entity. If he and his team are security conscious and stay up to date there should not be a problem. Only time well tell

The argument against the Blackberry is ridiculous and symptomatic of the fetish Americans have for being technologically illiterate. Or, more frightening still, indicative of the same belief that our own CEO (ahem, President), should be deprived of the skills, tools, and technology that every other executive has. But we don't need an intellectually curious, adequately informed leader, right, I mean, eight years of that went just wonderfully.

He's not going to be discussing national security secrets on his blackberry, for gosh sakes.

He's not going to be discussing national security issues on his blackberry, for gosh sakes.

I think he's a big boy and can handle text message and e-mail. How could we vote him in as President and not trust him to utilize a communication device properly. Come on now. I think the real question is no "Should he get rid of his Blackberry?", but "Why doesn't he have an iPhone?" ;-)

most people are probably not aware of this and I know this is a technical mambo jambo but I seriously don't think Obama should keep his blackberry for national security reason. Did you know that all of the blackberry traffic that was generated all over the world, got routed to Canada before it got push to your blackberry devices? I know Canada is an ally but it is still a foreign country. You understand now why NSA only approved blackberris for use in unclassified government apps?

There are NSA approved Blackberries for use in unclassified government applications. There are also PDA type wireless devices approved by NSA for applications up to the Top Secret level. If Obama has security experts telling him this is not do-able. He needs new experts. In addition to using the right technology; he will have to strictly adhere to a sound security policy (e.g. complex passwords).

Pres. Obama will be able to handle his Blackberry.

Not a bad idea but there is the issue of forged messages and security flaws in the blackberry OS itself that can pose a threat. If he continues to use a blackberry he should be very aware, if not educated on the security flaws such a device has. Or if he decides to drop the blackberry, he can work with his team to develop a solution to stay in touch and maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of his information