Secret Service: "Mr. President-elect, you'll have to surrender your Blackberry." Obama: "Nope"

[Xiphos]

I really don't think the USSS can compel him to stop using his cell phone.

If it's a matter of security I'm sure they can dig up a few spooks at NSA who can make it a secure device.

Or heck, even the USSS could carry around a small jammer that would block any signals when they need to secure his specific location from anyone.

If he's dumb enough to use it for sensitive information he deserves the political fall out and black eyes from it.

[MacLean]

Again, from a security perspective it isn't a matter of sensitive information being accessed.

[Morris]

How long ago was it the Blackberry system was hacked?

Anyway, dogfight already and the socialist isn't even in office.

By the way, join me for "Buy a Gun for Obama" Day on the 20th!

[ChesCopPodz]

As long as he's willing to comply with any and all parts of the records act and give up any records or e-mails, I don't care if he has his cell phone with him. If he starts getting shady and using it for secret communications that he's trying to hide, then he deserves the punishment.

[JeffW]

White House Communications Agency (WHCA) provides all sorts of really neat communications stuff. Additionally General Dynamics' Sectera Edge provides some level of security that even the NSA approved.

[countybear]

Here's my take.

The "President-elect" is demanding his Blackberry, big deal.

Well, in fact, it just might be, security-wise. Aside from any law, what does mean something to me (from a grunt's perspective), is that there are people sworn to protect him, and give of themselves to the point of taking his bullet if that is what they are called upon to do in order to ensure his survival. I believe that he fails to consider that anything he does to jeopardize his own safety, also jeopardizes theirs as well. Keeping his precious Blackberry, when there is a plethora of more secure communications devices from which he may pick from is no more than a boorish, self-centered, grandstand play.

Now, I don't think its a 'major' issue, enough to create a massive turmoil over, but I do consider it a glimpse into the character (or lack thereof) of the man who will lead this nation.

That is all.

[121Traffic]

Here's my take.

The "President-elect" is demanding his Blackberry, big deal.

Well, in fact, it just might be, security-wise. Aside from any law, what does mean something to me (from a grunt's perspective), is that there are people sworn to protect him, and give of themselves to the point of taking his bullet if that is what they are called upon to do in order to ensure his survival. I believe that he fails to consider that anything he does to jeopardize his own safety, also jeopardizes theirs as well. Keeping his precious Blackberry, when there is a plethora of more secure communications devices from which he may pick from is no more than a boorish, self-centered, grandstand play.

Now, I don't think its a 'major' issue, enough to create a massive turmoil over, but I do consider it a glimpse into the character (or lack thereof) of the man who will lead this nation.

That is all.

Can I get an AMEN?

[Morris]

AMEN!

[Willowdared]

It's funny, in every single article I find on this, the Presidential Records Act is the primary concern.

[MacLean]

It's funny, in every single article I find on this, the Presidential Records Act is the primary concern.

It's funny, that you continue to miss reading between the lines.

Do you think the press is going to tell you precisely why the Secret Service is worried about a Blackberry?

Most of them don't get it, either - and the Secret Service doesn't talk beyond generalities or whichever convenient excuse they can get the press to print.

I'm not going to spell it out here either, but give it some thought. Why would the Secret Service be worried about a cell phone?

[Retdetsgt]

As much as I hate a lot of it (my cell phone stays in the glove box of my pickup), I think stuff like this is here to stay. As been stated, we really don't know why the USSS is so upset about it, it might be nothing more than Obama's breaking tradition. Heaven knows the government is steeped in that and some of it no longer makes sense.

The government does a lot of things just because "that's the way we've always done it".

[Xiphos]

As much as I hate a lot of it (my cell phone stays in the glove box of my pickup), I think stuff like this is here to stay. As been stated, we really don't know why the USSS is so upset about it, it might be nothing more than Obama's breaking tradition. Heaven knows the government is steeped in that and some of it no longer makes sense.

The government does a lot of things just because "that's the way we've always done it".

It shouldn't be too hard for a foreign government, or even terrorists with the money, to not only hack his cell but track it. That kind of information could be very valuable to the wrong people.

I suspect though that this story is blown out of proportion. I have no doubt the tech folks there will be able to provide a secure replacement.

[Retdetsgt]

I suspect though that this story is blown out of proportion. I have no doubt the tech folks there will be able to provide a secure replacement.

I'm sure you're right. Frankly, now that I think about it I wonder how any family member even would contact the POTUS w/o going through at least 3 layers of security. I can sorta see why he would want to keep something.