Blackberry Blues

Last week in my information sciences class we had a pretty heated discussion and though it was in the realm of politics, it had nothing to do with the terrible economy or our views on foreign policy. It had everything to do with a small device many people use on a daily basis - a blackberry. Now before you judge, this was not a meaningless shallow conversation focused on what style is the best or the newest color craze. The conversation was one of national security so to speak... Should President Barack Obama be allowed to keep his blackberry? If you were to ask President Obama, he would quickly answer yes and tell you he intends to "hang on" to it. He told CNN just days ago that he would indeed be keeping his beloved blackberry. For him, it was a means to stay connected to the people he represents in order to break free from the bubble the presidency puts him in. And he says he understands the importance of thinking about what he writes before pressing the send button.

So what seems to be the problem? Well, most of the controversy surrounds the fact that a president is using such a device to send outbound email and every White House communication must be recorded. If President Obama no longer bore the title of president, even if he was a lesser leader, say a senator perhaps, he would still be able to keep his blackberry with no problem. For many, this is where the disagreements begin.

Because Obama is the leader of the United States, there are many that feel he should be extra careful in every aspect of his life, even if that mean sacrificing some parts of his personal life for the added security of the country. They fear communications will leak out to those who search for weakness in the government and this tool will be all the need to take over. Maybe it is just me, but that sounds a bit extremist. I'm sure intelligence of great importance would not be reduced to the mere capabilities of a cell phone. And as I recall, one of the reasons some people like President Obama so much is because he brought a younger vibe to the White House with his use of new technology. Apparently, some have forgotten that.

I think President Obama should be allowed to keep his blackberry. Yes, he is our leader, but he is also the leader of a family. Two beautiful children and a wife... Is it too much to ask for him to be able to keep in touch with his family while he is away, to communicate with them in the most efficient way possible. I think not. I mean come on... It's just a blackberry. Keep on smiling Mr. President... and feel free to make that smile by way of a text.

Spotlight on Tragedy

I would love to have a career in the entertainment world, but I have often thought to myself “at what price would this career come?” I enjoy the crowds and being around a group of people every once in a while everyone wants/needs some alone time for one reason or another. I do believe that the words “celebrity privacy” has become somewhat of an oxymoron. So, should one assume that in order to have a life of fame and worldwide recognition a person makes the conscious decision to open themselves up to every aspect of their lives no matter how intimate they are? Some would answer yes and others would respond no. Me, I’m a bit torn.

Take for instance the recent tragedy that occurred with Jennifer Hudson. Her mother, brother, and nephew were shot and killed a little more than two months ago. The estranged husband of Hudson’s sister was charged with the murders. Ever since the murders, reporters have been swarming around Hudson trying to get the perfect shot that showcases just the right amount of sorrow. To me, she did not have time to grieve privately because the whole world was watching. And what did the world seem to want to know the most – if Hudson would make it through this and regain her position among Hollywood’s elite. In “Jennifer Hudson’s Return to the Spotlight,” Marc Malkin was more than happy to “exclusively tell you that Ms. Hudson will return to the stage for the first time since her horrific family tragedy…” He then goes on to list what appearances she is rumored to make in the next coming weeks and you can tell he takes pride in this “exclusive” news. Makes you wonder if he cares more about the heartache Hudson has overcome or the promotion he is sure to get soon if his connections keep him abreast of all the latest news.

In this case, Hudson should have been given complete privacy. Yes, when a person makes the choice to step into the spotlight every aspect of their life is magnified and they will know it. If one strand of hair is out of place when leaving a hotel they must have been sleeping with someone or if one bump on their lip appears they automatically have herpes. It is the life of a celebrity. They are placed on a pedestal as the role model of role models and they know it. So yes, it becomes a trade off of sorts. But some things are just sacred and should be left alone. The triple murder is one of them. Sure, you can report on what happened and give an update when new information becomes available, but to constantly talk about her grief does nothing for her. Maybe she wanted to watch some television to get away from what was happening. That would have been pointless because for weeks she was all over the news. Yes, there are fans and people feel for her they knew nothing about Hudson to stand in masses outside of the funeral of her family. Let that time be for the real family and friends.

Yes, celebrities put themselves in the spotlight but I sometimes think we forget that they are real people made of the same flesh and blood as the rest of us. Just as we grieve, have joy, fight, and have relationships that don’t work, so do they. It is okay to look at them as role models and wonder what their life is really like but until we learn to establish a much needed line, celebrity privacy will prove to be one of the biggest oxymoron out there.