I've always said I feel really sorry for anyone that wins the presidency of the United States. Not only do they become America's Whipping Boy, set to take blames of past present and future, but their lives and those of their family become the object of the inquisitive masses. They no longer have much privacy and they are answerable for so much. I don't envy anyone in that office and it seems that Mr. Obama is already suffering strain from the people watchers and reporters.
http://www.newser.com/story/46498/as-presidential-bubble-closes-obama-pokes-back.html
I do worry that he hasn't even taken office and he's already frustrated with it all. I can empathize but you'd think he'd be ready for it or at least take it in stride. Maybe he will be by the time he takes office? What do you think?
Like I said, I don't envy him or his poor family. It must be awful to be so closely watched. They say he has to give up his Blackberry too. What's a Blackberry? LOL!
[question posted by Irishfrndly65]responses and comments:
I don't feel sorry for anyone that becomes the President, it was their choice to do so. I do feel sorry for their children though. They didn't ask for the garbage that comes along with it and may not even understand it. I don't think he should have to give up anything that he doesn't want to including his Blackberry (cellphone/pocket computer). He is still human. I truly hope he loses the frustration before he comes into office. Maybe he's not so frustrated and the media is just making it seem that way....I don't believe everything the media says. [camomom]
It shouldn't change because it's him. It should just be different then it is for all of them. They are still human beings with their own lives. We don't need to know EVERYTHING they do, it's just none of our business about some things. Did we really need to know that Bill Clinton had sexual relations with that woman? I don't think so. It was none of our business that he cheated on Hillary either. It was a personal matter between the 2 of them. I don't care what they eat or what color socks they wear......I don't care if he's emailing his wfe or children from oval office, he's a husband and father...and so were a lot of other presidents. They all deserve some privacy. [camomom]
Well he isn't even in office yet and involved in a scandal if only somewhat involved still involved. I just wash my hands of all politics. I don't know what is going to happen once he does get into office if there is already a big todo when he is not even there yet. I don't wish to be held be that kind of public scrutiny for sure. I like my somewhat anonimity(sp). I do have the IRS watching me closely as do all tax preparers this year it is rumored to be even worse for thier scrutiny of us. That is enough for me. Don't want to be in the spotlight any more than that. [sweetdesign]
Yes, one must really have an iron will and I think some ego to be president. A wimp can't hack it. They always get attacked for their egos but really, think about it, you need some sense of iron willed ego to take all the crap that goes along with the job. LOL! [Irishfrndly65]
I agree with you. I think it is hard to be living in a fish bowl watched by everyone. I am not surprised that he is finding it hard to deal with. He is the youngest president for a long time and it must be hard to shield children from this sort of experience. I also think it is something that he may get used to in time. It is not easy to have to get used to the total loss of privacy. He has only had a few months so far and knowing that things are going to be like that is not the same as actually living it. Not sure about the blackberry. Some sort of mobile communication thing probably. [sharra1]
Thanks for the best response. I was watching new footage of his inauguration the other night and thinking it is so nice to have a someone in the job who can talk. Bush was the most appalling speaker I have ever heard. Obama is nice to listen to. [sharra1]
I don't believe anything the media says cause he's the kind of person that likes attention..it showed from all his turnouts at cities he went to and his popularity..he will be fine, but i'm sure he'd love to keep his daughters protected more... [Rosekitty]
It does take a certain amount of ego, but then he will get haranged for that too! [Irishfrndly65]
Well, I am not a Obama supporter, BUT being that he is the elected new president I have a intrest, espcially because my brother serves our country in the US ARMY....I do worry that he is so frustrated already and has not even began to see the work he has ahead of him. I don't think that he is experienced enough to run this country in the situations we are in, but don't you feel sorry for any presidents children??? Think what kids go through, even though we say now "how cool " it would be to be a kid of a president. Think of the stresses they too endure through out the 4 to 8 yrs..... oh well, now I said my piece! Shihtzumama [shihtzumama]
Yep, I feel sorry for the kids!!! They didn't choose to be put in the spot light like that!! I too would run for cover somewhere else!! LOL [shihtzumama]
Hi Irish! Ahhh! He doesn't like the world knowing what he's having for lunch! Well he had better get used to it! He wanted to be President and the world is interested in every little tiny detail about the President and if that means what he is having for lunch the so beit! He had better realize that his life is no longer private or his own! He belongs to the public and the United States of America! Didn't he realize that when he decided to accept the job of President of the United States of America? Maybe he had better re-think it again before January 20th when he is officially sworn into the job! I'm sure Hillary would still be up for the job!lol [Opal26]
Yes he must have had these thoughts, you would think so. Hi sugah!!!!!!!! [Irishfrndly65]
Media are responsible for all of the rumor around the president. I think that media is seeking sensation and if there is no sensation, they have to produce it to stay popular.... Blackberry? smart cell phone, similar to IPhone... [polachicago]
Hee hee, yes the Blackberry question was somewhat of a joke. Even though I've never seen one and don't know exactly what it is they do. LOL! [Irishfrndly65]
OK I assume the Blackberry line was a joke, but just in case, I carry a blackberry. My life resides on it, all my appointments, my e-mails, my contacts, special notes that I make everything. Taking away a persons Blackberry is like taking away their life. I agree, I don't think I could hold an office where I was closely watched for everything I do even when I buy art supplies at a thrift store, I am a private person and I like it that way. Again, blackberry is my life, I would do most of posts on this site, if I didn't have a Blackberry, it is like Mylot in your pocket. LOL :D [Bytemi]
But you have to pay to connect right? That simply would deter me on it. LOL! [Irishfrndly65]
a blackberry is a kind of PDA/phone [ElicBxn]
Hee hee, it was a joke...kind of.....lol [Irishfrndly65]
Who is this Obama guy you are talking about? Is he the new host of "The Tonight Show" or something?confused A Blackberry is like a Raspberry, only darker and bigger and sweeter, so it's really not like a Raspberry at all even though it is a berry.whistle [myklj999]
Yip Tonight Show! ;nods; Ohhhhh.....riiiiiiight.............blink [Irishfrndly65]
He knew the job was dangerous when he took it. Where his frustration lies is in the fact that he is still three weeks out from being able to make any moves on his own and now everybody and their cat and kitten wants to know what he's going to do about this mess or that. It is totally unfair that they should be doing this to him when he hasn't even been sworn in yet for Pete sake. The Blackberry. It's a portable phone/computer/camera/MP3 player type of toy. My sister calls them Crackberry phones because they are super addictive. Obama will be going crazy if he used his very much. But security is his thing now. Blackberry phones are just like any other cell phone in that they can be tracked easily. Especially if he is in an area with three or more towers. Triangulation can be taken to within mere feet making his whereabouts clearly knowable. And the secret service guys can't have this type of openness surrounding him or his family. [BCMike]
Ahh, one of THOSE sisters! LOL! Nuff said!wink [Irishfrndly65]
He wanted this with all his heart and soul. Enough to run for it. He knows whar he had to give up when he started. This is his life and he has chosen his future. God bless him on his journey into the history books of time and for his family I pray the best for them. [jordan04n]
He'll need all the prayers he can get, all the presidents do. [Irishfrndly65]
It must be awful for his family, but as for him, I think he knew the risk and that it came with the territory, I'm not saying it's right, a man needs his privacy, but it happens and he knows that. But taking away the mans blackberry? The mans gotta get his five a day!wink [3cardmonte]
lollol OK, in DC, he'd have to tie it to a stray cat! [Irishfrndly65]
He did take a lot on and I am sure he was under no illusions as to what exactly he was taking on... I am sure he had more than enough attention from the media through the whole election process, I doubt he is frustrated with it all as they say! The media are known to make a mountain out of a mole-hillrolleyes, so he chose to be with his kids other than another media circus, so what?confused Everybody is entitled to a bit of privacy and personal space and I believe he can still decide what he wants to do with his time... The blackberry thingi... http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/ No idea why they want him to give it up, do presidents not have mobiles?! haha:) [marina321]
So true, so true! [Irishfrndly65]
I would not want the job,your life belongs to the country and that is that.No more trips to the beach on a nice day.you cannot nip to the shops for a paper.Living behind bullet proof glass, having all that responsibilty,taking all the knocks when things go wrong,I would last about five minutes in a job like that.I think a Black berry is a mobile phone with internet connection.He is a brave bloke and good luck to him. [suzzy3]
They've all been brave to take it on. I agree, I wouldn't want it either! Hiya Suzzy! [Irishfrndly65]
Well, it comes with the territory. I believe he will be able to adjust somehow. It's some kind of 'labor pain'. Though I know it would be doubly hard on him because he's the first African-American president - but I believe he'll overcome it. [newdawn8]
I think every president goes through a period thinking, "what the HECK have I DONE?" LOL! [Irishfrndly65]
happy I think that it is only natural when a president elect ends up becoming the new "whipping boy". Americans can be that way sometimes. I think that there are people in this country that might be afraid of change and don't like what Obama stands for. I am going to try to stand behind him although there are some things he has on his platform that I don't agree with. We are not always going to agree anyway when it comes to politics. [bamakelly]
He's all of our president, so we can only hope for the best for us ALL! [Irishfrndly65]
Iris Queen, You must come off your throne long enough to find out what your people are doing? A BLACKBERRY? I guess it's something that can do all. I'm sure you've heard all about it by now. As far as feeling sorry for the Presidential Family, I don't. That is one of the reasons everyone kept asking, is he ready for the job? They know all this when they decided to run for the highes office in America. He better find his backbone and stand tall. It's his job now and he better toughen. Sorry if I sound unempathetic, but now isn't the time for empathy. It's time to see what he is made of and pray to God, that he has what it takes. Hugsss leenie [leenie50]
That's very very true, wise words! He'll definately have to develop some kind of shell. [Irishfrndly65]
I honestly don't know why anyone would want to be President anymore. Not only do you become the biggest celebrity on the planet, but you have no privacy, even in your private quarters. Even though I didn't vote for him, I do support Mr. Obama and pray that he will be able to handle all the challenges he will soon face. I don't have a Blackberry either,(smartphone) so I suppose its like smoking, if you've never done it no problem, but if you do, its a hard habit to break. It is going to be very tough, on all the members of his family. [di1159]
I agree, I don't know why they do either. It's a completely thankless job! [Irishfrndly65]
I just don't understand why they would make him get ride of his blackberry. That is stupid! It is a phone!! What he can't have his own personal cell phone? [messageme]
Well if what I hear is true, apparently he can be targeted by using it. I'd chunk the thing if I was him. LOL! Or as one lady said, "tie it to a goat". LOL! [Irishfrndly65]
I don't know why anyone would want the job of President. You're right, they are blamed for everything - even the weather. The thing is, they have to know what they're getting themselves in to. You have to have very thick skin to be in politics. [6precious102]
Oh I agree, it's quite a thankless job as he will see soon enough. I don't envy him at all. [Irishfrndly65]
(beware: ranting opinion) You are right, public officials, movie stars and of course, the President are targets. They are watched carefully, so that the major media businesses can keep their cash flow going and the American people can once again be entertained by the mediocre events from the lives of other people that a majority of us will never get to meet in this lifetime...or even in the afterlife. I can't tell you the number of times I enjoyed reading about D. Cheney's heart attacks in hope that each one will be the one to actually kill him and any of the shenanigans by Dubya is always good script material for Saturday Night Live . I'm sure Obama's concern is more in the interest of protecting his young children from being exposed to the heartlessness of the media circus more than for himself. Since Obama has been in public office for a part of his adult life, I'm sure he was already aware of the strain of being scrutinized by the media. Seeing that he is the first black president in charge a country founded by men that could never imagine such a thing would ever happen. He is watched even more closely by those who admire him with the hope he will repair most of the damage that the last boob manage to accomplished in the last 8 years and then there are those that despise him simply for the color of his skin and despite his impressive qualifications, expect him to fail. A Blackberry is a short-lived children's cereal that was marketed along side with the popular Frankenberry, Booberry and CountChocula back in the early nineteen eighties. It was developed under the misinformation that children really like the taste of black jelly beans and licorice. The cereal was doomed to failure the second it reached supermarkets everywhere. To this day it is speculated that "Lucky" from Lucky Charms may have spread this information as a way to sabotage the Monsterberry cereals from the General mills selection of breakfast cereals. I guess the lesson is don't trust those fruity leprechauns! ...or a Blackberry is a portable digital device that is designed to maintain personal files, business contact info and any other data that makes that bald headed guy in the baby blue volvo think he's important. [mrghill]
So...what you got against fruity leprechauns? I shall send some your way, posthaste! [Irishfrndly65]
Uhmm,I think it was his choice,so he has to deal with it,just like we have to deal with our life,if he didn't want all the hassel,then he should have not run for the presidency.That's it end of story. [pumpykat]
Yes, that is true! [Irishfrndly65]
Irish, m'dear, a Blackberry is similar to a Dingleberry except that it has keys, like a computer/phone, and you hold it in your hand or to your ear rather than it being attached to the hairs on your rear. Memo to self: Good grief! Irish left herself wide open for that one! (C) 2009 RJScott [rjscott]
Yea yea, Mr Smarmy Pants! [Irishfrndly65]
are you a noob or what? blackberry is a phone. to be the president of the United States is of great honor. they will be the part of the history of mankind. why would you feel sorry for them just because of your own sentiments and judgement? How about if they had the best house insurance? [bittertruth]
lol.. scoop, never mind.. I'm not gonna believe you anyway. [bittertruth]
Well he had to get used to it sooner than later because it will be five years of it. Maybe it can take a leave out of PJ Patterson book. He is our former Prime Minister, the journalist here heckle him for the 17 years he was at the helm. lol They even go as far to called him Gay. PJ just laugh and move on. Now he is in retirement and looking back than he was when he was leading the country.lollol [kerriannc]
BPJ? Noo...that's PBJ lol [Irishfrndly65]