I called Mr. Blaschke.  He no longer works in that office. His new number is (202) 453-8398.  

Three times he refused to answer when I asked him if his official role is to represent the United States government.  He just wanted to know what I thought he said that isn't factual.   I didn't want to kibitz with him about his statements, I wanted to know if it's his job.  Three times he refused to answer.

Does the U.S. government pay people to interact with bloggers?  He said yes.  And he also claims to work for public affairs (PR).  I think that's a lie because he refused to answer my first question about his role before I asked him whether there is an official program.  A good PR person wouldn't start a rhetorical war with a U.S. citizen in the opening round - you'd hope.  Maybe they're scraping the bottom.

He said his comments to Sabbah were not "cleared" which means he's just some asshole with an opinion and not an official government spokesperson.

I think he's lying about his offical role and he may also be lying about whether the government funds (on the books) "public diplomacy" in the blog-os-fear.  

If he was official he wouldn't have been so evasive.

BTW I do think they monitor the blogs, but they'd never admit it.  By law the State Department cannot fund public information efforts (propoganda) for use on the people of the United States.  They can tell all the lies they want overseas, but they're not supposed to play 1984 here.  

So if this guy really is being paid to "correct" the blogosfear then there's a major scoop here.  

If he's just some guy with an opinion then the real Department of State needs to know about it.

Thanks for your kind words. Actually, I work with a group of bloggers with a common interest: a balanced foreign policy in the Middle East. That's a round about way to say that we against the centrists who espouse the DLC/AIPAC line. We are also supportive of the Israeli Left, the peace movement, and a fair and just solution to the conflict. That would also put us in conflict with Israeli right wing government policy and goals, and organizations that support them.

We are listed as contributors of Evenhanded Democrats. Don't have the URL handy but it should Google right up. It is a pretty dead place, but most, minus three of us who were banned at Daily Kos, still spent time there and diary from time to time.

You perspective about the surveillance may very well be correct. More logically, it is our intelligence agencies who would have interest.

Thanks again for your kind words.