http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2012-02-14T01:02:06+00:00
Dr. Wicentowski - thanks much for your very interesting post about the U.S. Department of State's outstanding record and continued efforts at publishing American diplomatic history. It is indeed appropriate and encouraging that our nation continues to lead the way in publishing such material, for as has been frequently observed, "an informed citizenry is essential to democracy."

I work at the Department of State and have found the Historical Volumes published by State to be most helpful in carrying out my duties. Indeed, I have found that knowing the historical facts about American foreign policy also is fundamental to successfully framing our nation's diplomatic future.

In this regard, I would also appreciate your views on President Obama's recent call for an "unprecedented level of openness" in our American Government. Clearly, the efforts you discuss to publish more information on the web are a important step in this direction.

However, in my opinion only, I believe much more could be done to provide access to Department of State information, and done more quickly. For example, I understand that the Department's Historian's office is currently working on its foreign affairs volume publications for the Nixon / Ford Administrations. Obviously these scholarly history efforts take a great deal of effort, analysis and time to produce and publish.

However, it seems unfortunate that the Department can't or doesn't do more to publish -- outside of the foreign affairs series -- appropriate, important State Department official documents more quickly, if not instantaneously, using today's powerful, global information sharing technologies.

There are seemingly hundreds of useful State Department and U.S. diplomatic documents that U.S. citizens and others around the world would be interested in and could make use of well before waiting for these documents to be incorporated into and released via the official foreign affairs series.

In this regard, as Dr. David Weinberger observed in his 2007 book "Everything is Miscellaneous": ... "Authorities have long filtered and organized information for us, protecting us from what isn't worth our time and helping us find what we need to give our beliefs a sturdy foundation. But with the miscellaneous, it's all available to us, unfiltered."

By "the miscellaneous," Weinberger is referring to the ability to make information widely and quickly available to millions of potentially interested persons in its original forms, via the web and via the web's advanced search capabilities. Then these multitudes of persons accessing this information could work with it and learn from it in a timely fashion and on their own. Does the State Department have any initiatives to make more of its original diplomatic documents and other information available in such a fashion?

Thanks again for your informative post and for all your office does to promote an informed and engaged citizenry.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/hague_history/ Tue Oct 27, 2009
Hello, My :) Friend & States Department Members :)

I am all for transparency but internation Cooperation is more important . All though, the idea of less can some times mean more information,it is a great advancement. I hope this freedom of information or transparency is the start of a more open Partnership between our Nations.

....Cya...:)'s]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/hague_history/ Tue Oct 27, 2009
Transparent Money Flows:

We are getting close to a transparent global economic map. This will elucidate trillions in stolen assets, which can be traced by new technologies (Cybertracking) and repatriated for development and security purposes. Think of the possiblility of sharing information which can help finance the MDG's, retire the UN debt, or re-calibrate the Global Economy. The tools for sharing Diplomatic History can be used to shape a new Economic Future.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/hague_history/ Mon Oct 26, 2009
Happy Birthday Hillary!

Along with thousand of fans want to wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We're very proud of you. All your "Hillary's fans website" are celebrating this day. WAY TO GO GIRL! we love you!
Veyry.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/hague_history/ Mon Oct 26, 2009
Dear Madame Secretary, your continued effort to repair and broaden U.S. foreign policy and interaction with our international colleagues is most appreciated. By your personal involvement, you are telling other countries that we are engaged and committed. I admire your work.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/hague_history/ Mon Oct 26, 2009