A sends: “With a little enhancement, it’s easy to see that device in the center is a Motorola speakerphone cradle for the handheld, wireless unit the President has.”

Obama Phones

The telephone is likely Obama’s primary means of personal, direct government. More private, intimate and persuasive than meetings, classified briefings, legislation and regulation signings, appointments, White House invites, travel, campaign tours, press releases, executive orders, mail, email, fax, TV, radio, photographs, Internet blogs, dining, applause, dance, sports, hugs, back pats, arm grabs, handshakes, baby holds, fist bumps, shout-outs, waves, finger points, grins, guffaws, chin tickles, jokes, punks, pardons, secret orders, medal awards, hospital-casket transfers-cemetary visits.

Presumably all calls are recorded but not likely to be made public any time soon, thus may be the most secret of his service in office. These photos hide far more than they reveal — as intended in defiance of democracy and open government.