State ends block on blogs

Reversing a policy set by former Gov. Ernie Fletcher's administration, state-owned computers used by executive branch employees can now access blogs, said Jill Midkiff, spokeswoman for the Finance and Administration Cabinet.

The state had banned access to most blogs, excluding those operated by newspaper and television companies, since June 2006.

"We don't believe it is state government's role to distinguish between which news source is legitimate and which is illegitimate," said Jonathan Miller, secretary of the cabinet. "For the most part, we are leaving an open Internet."

Although state workers can access the sites, they are not allowed to comment on blogs during working hours and should only access blogs for work-related reasons while on the clock, Midkiff said.

Workers are free to look at any blog they like, provided it doesn't contain pornographic material or other banned content, during breaks and lunch hours, she said.

"We'll be sending out a new acceptable use policy for workers to sign," Midkiff said.

Mark Nickolas, founder of the now-defunct BluegrassReport.org, sued the state, claiming the blog-ban was unconstitutional. The ban took effect shortly after Nickolas, the former campaign manager of Democrat Ben Chandler, was quoted criticizing Fletcher in the New York Times.

In July, Michael Inman, the state's former technology commissioner, said in a sworn statement that the blog ban was ordered by Robbie Rudolph, Fletcher's executive cabinet secretary, to retaliate against Nickolas.

"It was apparent that the state had intentionally targeted BluegrassReport.org and had blocked the category of blogs and other categories of Web sites in an attempt to disguise that fact," Inman said in his statement.

Nickolas' lawsuit is still pending in federal court.

- John Stamper

Comments

[What's yellow and sleeps five? A state highway truck!]

Let me be the first to comment on this subject and say this is a terrible idea.

Why can't state employees read blogs at home?

Why not let them view porn (as long as no one else can see their screen and be offended)? Why not let them use eBay? Why not let them shop online? Why not let them get on GMail and Yahoo Mail? Why not let them use Y Messenger and AIM and MSN?

Fletcher's blog ban was a very appropriate restriction on the use of state computers and the state network to ensure that work is done during work hours.

If you are a state employee, do the honorable thing. Don't read blogs at work. Wait until you get home to do it.

[Stunt Man]

What's Yellow...:

Spoken like a true wannabe state employee. Just because you are not smart enough or can't pass a test, don't take it out on the hard working state employees. Don't worry, when 5,000 state employees retire this year then you might get a job out of desperation.

You totally miss the point. First of all, what they are saying is that state employees may access appropriate sites during their break times. This is in line with recent court cases which postulated that an employee accessing a website on their break time is no different than reading a newspaper.

Second, the Fletcher administration did nothing but try to stop the Bluegrass Report and not other blogs. That is blatant censorship and discrimination and this administration is smart enough to figure that out.

This would be the same as saying that you can look at the Courier-Journal but not the Herald-Leader. And if we lived in China, that would be the case.

[observor]

We all know that this has absolutely nothing to do with censorship or discrimination---it's about using taxpayer dollars to pay state employees to do what the ordinary person does in their free time. We also know that it will never be monitored properly; and even if someone is caught, it will only be a slap on the wrist until next time. If all businesses were run like the State, well then, we wouldn't have any because they would not survive. Go to work for any SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS and get caught on your cell phone or blogging and see how long you last there. No freaking wonder Frankfort is such a mess. This is a no brainer and they are spending their time on it.

[Stunt Man]

Every employee in state government is entitled to two paid breaks and an unpaid lunch break. That is what we are talking about here. If I am on this type of time, I should be able to do a few things that I normally wouldn't do during working hours (such as smoking - if that was enforced at the state level). Theoretically I could put my feet up on my cubicle desk, take a short nap, go outside for a walk, make a call on my cell phone, read the newspaper. What is the difference if I access a news site such as this one to read about current events? But I don't think employees should be "posting" from state computers.

[can't wait]

Personally, I can't wait to see all the state employees return to blogging. Maybe they'll blog about their worthless non merit bosses taking off early or driving a state car, or some other worthless daylong event. I say BLOG, BLOG, BLOG. And if they could all be blogging, then they won't be able to pass more taxes, and foolish laws. And the LRC workers in the annex can keep smoking inside a state building and we can blog them some more. Oh, by the way, those state computers, yes they can be subject to open records, but don't expect this corrupt gang to prosecute.

[change in the works?]

Wonder if Transportation will change its policy about Internet usage?

Personal use like online shopping and banking, visiting blogs, etc., is prohibited at ALL times, even on breaks and at lunch. That is more restrictive than the overall state policy.

[Taxes?]

Will Nickolas pay his taxes this year? Or will he get cover from this pals in Finance. Those stubborn taxes!

[Blog Me]

Miller wants the ban lifted so he can gear up his blogging skills, can you say bluegrass...we'll you know the rest of the story..It's not the employers job to tell the employees to work? HUH? Spoken like a true liberal who's never had a real job, just sucking at the government trough.