Karen Bune
Victimology Contributor
Officer.com
His Blackberry means a lot to him and, luckily, President Barack Obama is being allowed to keep it despite added and enhanced security coupled with a limited number group of contacts he can maintain on the device. As the President and leader of our great nation, along with living in the fast-paced nation’s capitol, being one among a group who can email him with a quick hello, some urgent business, or a fast question will put one in a rather elite position. As avidly as a number of people were angling to get tickets to his Inauguration, there will be those who will be doing the same to get on his exclusive contact list for various reasons.
Obama has said he wants to be receptive and open to new ideas and it is obvious, therefore, that he is in favor of a more participatory form of citizenry involvement in governmental and world affairs. With that in mind, therefore, he might want to have a few additional “exclusives†added to his list. Since I just got my first Blackberry this Christmas, I’m thinking that maybe the President and I should exchange PIN numbers, and we can message each other from time to time.
Being a legal scholar, a former professor, and someone who wants to focus on law enforcement, public safety, and victim issues—including domestic violence—the President and I have some common interests, causes, and passions. Being that I, too, am a professor, a practitioner in the field, and have been working in the law enforcement and criminal justice system in my career for a good number of years, I might have some thoughts, ideas, and even dreams to convey to the new President. Moreover, I might be able to assist him with some of his goals and work with him and his administration collaboratively towards achieving them.
Therefore, for both President Obama and me, this Blackberry device might be an invaluable tool for us to get better acquainted despite the fact that several years ago, I was going to the National Press Club to hear him speak and he was standing in front of me in the elevator. I was directly behind him and tapped him on his arm. When he turned around curious as to who was touching him, I introduced myself. We had a short chat in the elevator while he was surrounded by law enforcement / security officers who were instantaneously sizing me up in a heartbeat and probably thinking, “What does this chick think she is doing?†After a few pleasantries, we both departed the elevator and went our separate ways.
Though Obama has run into many people since that time and has everyone grappling to get his attention, he just might remember that lady in the elevator who was bold enough to reach out and touch him. Now, the same lady has her Blackberry and has become, in short order, as attached to it, as he is. So, Mr. Obama, let’s trade PINS and start emailing. It would be nice to get back in touch and, one never knows, I might have some good ideas for you.
