More Feds Blog

The State Department wasn't the only agency that launched a group blog this week. The Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC), part of the General Services Administration's Office of Citizen Services, went online this week with GovGab. (The FCIC, according to its Web site, "provides the answers to questions about the federal government and everyday consumer issues whether citizens write, call or log on.”)

“The purpose of our blog is to highlight government services and information that many people may not know about and show them how to use it in their everyday lives," according to an email Government Executive received about the blog. GovGab’s five bloggers so far have written about online apartment hunting resources, international travel tips, lost luggage, free online photo services, and saving energy.

Another new blog comes from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, who started blogging Sept. 12. In the first entry of his blog Leadership Journal, Chertoff wrote, "I’ve started this journal to open a dialogue with the American people about our nation’s security."

In that blog post, titled "Is 9/11 Fading?," Chertoff also writes, "I know these family members [of passengers killed on the planes used in the terrorist attacks] and responders will never forget what happened to our country six years ago. I am concerned, however, that for some Americans, the reality of 9/11 is fading."

Right off the bat, Chertoff seems to have met his goal to open a dialogue with Americans. That first post had received 33 comments by this afternoon. The comments ranged from avid support ("The fact that there has not been another terrorist attack on America since 9-11 speaks well of you and your department. Thank you," an anonymous commenter wrote) to sharp criticism ("[E]verytime an illegal alien escapes across our border and assaults our children ,we Americans are reminded about 9/11 and the terrorism your dept , does not protect us from. We live in fear," wrote jorge, and "Why do you think people are finding it harder and harder to believe anything you say?" wrote durandel.).

In another blog post, Chertoff takes on a New York Times editorial criticizing DHS for a poor organizational policy for FEMA. Chertoff’s latest post is about privacy. ("We view privacy as a fundamental human right and that’s why preserving it is an integral part of our mission.") The only commenter as of this afternoon links to a sharp critique of Chertoff's post.

So far, most comments in the Leadership Journal blog reflect an American public fearful, frustrated and skeptical about DHS' ability to fight terrorism. How Chertoff and DHS use this feedback (understanding that most people who comment are motivated by negative emotions, not positive ones) will determine how successful the Leadership Journal blog is. That goes for State's DipNote and the less controversial Gov Gab.