Governments Web Portal - Essay Example

Still, there remains the uncomfortable parallel to automated phone systems, which all too often will provide one with every option but the necessary connection. How does the federal website compare to these and other comparable information sites Well to view the federal government's claims, one need only click onto the About Us connection. This link opens to a long list of self-promotions, beginning with a statement of the site's policy, or "vision", which is described as a "catalyst for a growing electronic government.

" while boasting more connections to government sites than any commercial sites on the internet. This is certainly a comforting thought: the government has enough control of its own accessibility that there are certain safeguards to prevent inappropriate meddling. The site is proclaimed to be owned by the citizens of the United States, much like the ideals behind our federal government, which can be taken in either a patriotic or cynical manner, depending on one's personal inclination. More plausible is the logic behind the site's implied development as a response to the events of September 11th, 2001: a PR campaign to portray the government as acting quickly to improve security.

This lends an aura of paranoia to the site, as though George Orwell's Big Brother is looming over the average citizen's shoulder as they peruse the electronic pages To see other ways in which the government reacts, one can click the America Responds to Terrorism link. Here is a listing of related sites, such as 9/11 commemoration events, how to protect yourself , personnel locators, travel safety, humanitarian organizations and information about Iraq. To "Protect yourself", one should have a clear idea of what to ask, as the link itself leads to a long list of the last five years of headlines, from mail handling of biological threats to disaster preparedness and learning more about terrorism.

The bio-threat anthrax scare is mentioned - regulations are hinted at as hiding in the library - but nothing is mentioned about the CDC having to limit its reactions to these scares. Too many false attacks were proving too expensive. On the other hand, the "Ready yourself" for emergency link connects you directly to the office of Homeland Security, who very sensibly lists warning signs of exposure to chemical threats although if animals were really dying all around someone, what realistic chances are still available to them Identifying the contaminated area and removing oneself or finding a "safe-area" is just good common sense, and, although it might sound callous, probably a part of Darwinism in action.

The duct-taped garbage bags over windows are not mentioned, possibly as too close a reminder to the "duck and cover" sagacity of the Cuban Missile Crisis, yet if the most obvious suggestions are being mentioned, shouldn't such items still be listed somewhere Although perhaps some consideration is due here. In event of an actual pressing emergency, few people would take the time to access this website, relying