From Deseret News archives:
Blog makes Leavitt readily available to all
He's made it surprisingly easy. Leavitt has become a blogger, posting his most recent entry from Tanzania. His journey has also included Mozambique, South Africa and Rwanda his goal to see, firsthand, the American "government research, programs, staff and partners in action," with emphasis on malaria and HIV-AIDS.
As far as I know, he's the first Cabinet-level government official to try his hand at a blog, and it's fascinating to look through the responses that he's garnered so far.
Some of them read a little like homework assignments, telling him what he should write about and even what approach he should take or avoid. Others are commercials for the commenter's own programs or efforts in a particular area, such as in dealing with flu pandemic. They're the least interesting of the bunch.
In his inaugural blog, Leavitt notes that he's not sure how often he'll write or how long he'll continue the blog, although he promises to stick with it for at least a couple of months. He's testing the waters. But he also promises that he will be writing the blog himself, not relying on staff members to do it for him. And he intends to read as many of the comments as he can find time for. The comments, by the way, are reviewed before they're posted to avoid anything inappropriate.
In an age when government officials and the people they are supposed to serve seem to have less and less in common and ever-more barriers between them, it's refreshing to see a senior government official make himself accessible, sharing his thoughts and interacting with others in a direct, readily available way. In the entries so far, he notes what he's learning as he travels and mentions things Health and Human Services is trying, such as a test run using the Postal Service to deliver medicine that might be needed in a pandemic.
It has potential to become much more than just refreshing.
Recent comments
His family fish farm and the whirling fish. Like Mitt, he was born...
Dave | Aug. 30, 2007 at 9:12 p.m.
What one must understand about Mike Leavitt is that he is one of the...
James | Aug. 30, 2007 at 5:59 a.m.
- 3A: Hurricane 24, Park City 19 2:29 a.m.
- GameDay back in the MWC 2:19 a.m.
- Westminster campus briefs 1:49 a.m.
- SUU campus briefs 1:48 a.m.
- Dixie campus briefs 1:47 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake gameday 1:33 a.m.
- 5A: Bingham rolls to title game 12:59 a.m.
- Aggies hope for Spartan cure 12:57 a.m.
- 5A: Miners pull tricks to win 12:56 a.m.
- 5A: Davis runs over Hunter 12:54 a.m.
- Williams leaves, won't play tonight
- Unga family is making its mark
- Selfishness to blame for Jazz woes?
- Study: Divorce likely when wife ill
- ESPN suddenly loves MWC
- Trial begins in toddler death
- Historically, Utes have owned TCU
- Two killed in Iron County crash
- 4A: Thunderbirds dynasty lives on
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
348 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
162 - Will state consider gay rights law?
145 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Celtics crush Jazz
103 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
102 - Hatch empathizes with Muslims
88
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
True. It's not terribly funny and if it has any effect on society, it won't...
What else would you expect to find in a book called "The Founders on Religion"?
Ok not to be rude here, but check the stats, Hinds isnt first in yards and...
t-hinds = best player in utah
Anonymous: Was that English? I though conservatives believed if you are in...
Wow! Glad the Lord kept you safe. Separate comment: That was a horrible...
I have never been to a Utah high school game before as I am not from the...
It would behoove the above commenters to recall that religion, including our...
Only 8000 attendance? BYU had 16,000+ tonight. What is wrong with Ute fans?...
ian you are the 3A MVP If you win next week so just do it that would be nice....

