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Homeland Security Launches A Blog

The Department of Homeland Security this week became the latest Cabinet-level entity in the Bush administration to start a blog. It is called Leadership Journal.

Department Secretary Michael Chertoff authored an entry yesterday to outline the goals of the blog and to note his activities in commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks a day earlier. He said he wants to "open a dialogue" about security with the American people -- and he welcomed "constructive criticism" about the department's work. We'll see how that works among bloggers and commenters more inclined to rant than debate.

It's encouraging to see that the department is at least aware enough of the blogosphere to know that unmoderated comments are a bad idea, especially for a blog like this one. The comment policy includes this warning:

We expect all contributors to be respectful. We will not post comments that contain personal attacks of any kind; refer to federal civil service employees by name; contain offensive terms that target specific ethnic or racial groups, or vulgar language. We will not post comments that are spam, are clearly off topic or that promote services or products.

Now that the blog is online, what can readers expect in terms of content flow? Here's what Assistant Press Secretary Jeff Ostermayer said in an e-mail to me: "The DHS Leadership Journal will share insightful information about DHS from a unique perspective from the secretary and senior DHS leadership. Several times a week, the secretary and senior department leadership will offer commentary on the work they are doing."

Homeland Security's foray into the blogosphere follows on the heels of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt starting a blog in August. Republican blogger Robert Bluey has thoughts on that development.

Posted by Danny | 10:10 AM

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