[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Government-provided cell phones is not a new program.

No it is not. They have been around for eight years that I know of.

There was a previous program that provide cell phones to the poor but they only dialed 911. Maybe that is where all the stupid calls to 911 come from?

There are also several charities that offer free cell phones and minutes.

I strongly object to the phrase "Obama phone" and will be contacting my congress critter because this is government funds being used to campaign which is against the law.

[Buckeye McFrog]

I undertand the USC Marching Band has an absolutely killer Obamaphone section...

[Fester Chugabrew]

"There was a previous program that provide cell phones to the poor but they only dialed 911."

The Obama Phone should have all "0"s on the key pad.

[MD Expat in PA]

I strongly object to the phrase "Obama phone" and will be contacting my congress critter because this is government funds being used to campaign which is against the law.

It’s a little unclear who created or owns this website but from the registration it doesn’t appear to be a government website, but I could be wrong:

whois

[MD Expat in PA]

ETA

Any cell phone that can still be powered up and hold a charge can be used to dial 9-11, even if the cellular service has been discontinued, i.e. turned off.

I donated several of my old cell phones to the House of Ruth in Baltimore, a shelter for battered women and their children. Of course that was after I cleared off all personal information; stored numbers, call history, saved voicemails, etc. The donated phones, while they can’t be used to make and receive regular calls, can still be used to dial 911 in an emergency. And yes some charities purchase or receive donated minutes.