America Responds

Chertoff's blog elicits criticism from Americans on the state of the nation's security

• By Karina Sanchez
• Nov 05, 2007

Cyberspace has infused the lives of people across the country. Its latest victim: Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Back in September, DHS posted a comment policy as a preliminary step in introducing the Leadership Journal—a blog by Chertoff designed to open a dialogue with the American people about the nation’s security. It is Chertoff’s hope that this blog will encourage people to remember why DHS is taking actions to protect the country and why it is important that Americans never lose their commitment to the memory of the heroes of 9/11.

Chertoff’s first post is dated Sept. 12.

“I would like to hear your thoughts about the steps we’re taking to keep the nation safe. This way, we can learn more about concerns you have within your states and communities,” Chertoff said. “And I want to hear fresh ideas and even constructive criticism about our department.”

What People Are Saying
More than 30 people responded to Chertoff’s first blog posting, which is titled “Is 9/11 fading?” In it, he gives an overview on how his day played out on 9/11 in 2001 and in 2007. Toward the end of his post, he said he’s concerned that the reality of 9/11 is fading for some Americans. Considering those who responded to the post, it’s clear that 9/11 is not far from people’s minds, even six years later. And for those in the security industry, 9/11 is a daily thought, for it’s why many of the professionals in this industry work so hard to do what they do best.

What the public may not understand, though, is the country’s current unprecedented level of protection. The nation is more secured now than it was just six years ago. And people’s awareness is heightened. But because people do now have an interest in security, the field is that much more vulnerable to criticism. So Chertoff receives the criticism he looks for.

“Sept. 11, 2001, will never be forgotten by America. Yet, while we have been successful thus far in preventing similar attacks, we continue to leave ourselves exposed by not sealing our borders,” said bcsco, a blog responder. “Let’s get the job done, folks. A border fence is not impossible. Neither is holding employers accountable for employee citizenship identification.”

A majority of the responses that Chertoff received for this blog posting contained similar reactions. Many voiced concern about the United States not having proper border fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. The responses bring to light an issue which those in the security industry face on an ongoing basis—the discussion of overt versus covert surveillance. Though a fence may help thwart some illegal border crossings, it won’t deter all. And DHS is implementing unmanned aerial vehicles, cameras and the latest in surveillance technologies to aid in protecting the borders.

It’s true that there’s still much work to be done in securing the nation’s borders, but it cannot be done by DHS alone. With help from the private sector, protecting the nation’s people and critical infrastructures becomes more of a reality than a thought.

View on Emergency Preparedness
On Sept. 20, Chertoff posted his blog, “For Yourself, Your Family and Your Community.” This posting is designed to help promote National Preparedness Month. DHS, like so many others in the emergency response and disaster preparedness communities, wants to encourage preparedness for natural and manmade disasters. No one knows when disaster will strike, and it’s important to be properly prepared. But are people really heeding the warnings issued by those in the emergency response sector?

“‘Those who prepare suffer less than those who do not’ is as old as Aesop’s fables, yet so few people prepare, train and practice,” one responder said. “In two weeks, National Fire Protection week starts. From Oct. 7 to 13, kids will learn and practice their first emergency training. It may be the most emergency training they will ever get. This program works. Why? I am not sure.”

In this industry, so much is focused on emergency response—and reasonably so. Preparedness also is an issue that is frequently discussed. And though some companies try to train their employees on preparedness efforts, many individuals don’t take the time to actually enact those same efforts themselves. So there’s a need to motivate individuals to not only read about what should be done, but actually practice the preparedness recommendations that come from valuable sources.

Getting People to Talk
It’s been less than two months since Chertoff’s blog was introduced. And it doesn’t seem as though readers are cutting him any slack.

“This is a serious question. How do you have time to blog? Don’t you have a 24-hour-a-day job with very important things to do?” said one blogger who remained anonymous.

Despite many responders’ reactions, what the blog is able to do is get people talking about security. It gives those in government, as well as the private sector, insight into what the American public thinks about security. Those within the industry know more about what’s happening than those outside of it. That may be why it’s now more important to educate the public on security success stories—not only in local communities, but at the fenceline, as well