The thing is, those BlackBerry devices could have contained anything. They could have home addresses of relatives of key U.S. officials. They could have pictures of their kids. They could have passwords, access codes, phone numbers, directions to evacuation locations. They could have anything. And now, likely, the Mexican government (and anyone they decide to share with) has everything that was on the devices.

But what if there wasn't anything on those BlackBerry devices about war or al-Qa'idah? What if they just had email?

What if, indeed?

Imagine, if you will, that you work for some company of your choosing. Your company's feeling the budget pinch and you're about to make a final sales call on a client you really want to close. You and the client have already agreed on the deal, which will be worth millions. This visit is just to shake hands and meet any last minute needs.

The thing is, the client has no idea how bad you need this deal. That's sales poker, after all. Because if the client did know how bad you needed it, he'd push for concessions and discounts and so much more that you just don't want to give. As it stands now, this is a good deal, your company's going to make a nice profit, and you need a nice profit right now.

The thing is, you're a little off your game. Last night, you lost your BlackBerry. It's not a big deal, you'll get another, but it's inconvenient.

The thing is, you have no idea how off your game you are. You didn't lose your BlackBerry, the client had the BlackBerry lifted from you in the hotel bar. After all, this deal is worth millions, and he wanted to see if he could find anything out.

It took his tech geek all night to crack your password, and that's just because he didn't know your little boy's birthday. Now he does. He also knows that your boss sent you a one line email: "Get this deal done. No matter what, close the deal."

You'll be lucky if you escape this meeting with your shirt. Your client's now able to demand every concession and discount he likes, knowing for sure that you'll cut the deal anyway. You are now so screwed.

How far is America willing to go in a negotiation? You and I may never know. But one of those two BlackBerrys Rafael Quintero Curiel swiped might contain the answer.

So, how did this happen?
U.S. President George W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Mexican President Felipe Calderón were meeting at the North American Leaders' Summit on April 21-22 in New Orleans. This was the fourth meeting of North American leaders since 2005, continuing their work on Security and Prosperity Partnership initiatives. It also served as an opportunity for the three leaders to discuss hemispheric and global issues of importance to North America.

Early last week, members of the Mexican delegation were meeting with President Bush in a conference room at the Windsor Court Hotel. A "haven for the discriminating traveler," the Windsor Court Hotel offers a touch of England in the heart of New Orleans.