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Several hundred US "diplomats" expressed their resentment Wednesday over a State Department policy that could assign them to serve in Iraq. To these folks public service means cushy assignments, glamorous travel at public expense, fat paychecks and lots of cocktail parties. "It is one thing if someone believes in what is going on over there and volunteers, but it is another thing to send someone over there on a forced assignment. And I'm sorry, but basically that is a potential death sentence and you know it. Who will raise our children if we are dead or wounded?"
Yuck! Isn't somebody in the State Department by definition "volunteering" by joining the foreign service and accepting a paycheck from the taxpayer that far exceeds anything our troops are getting?
7 hours ago
Yeah, but they deserve every penny they get. My Dad was a diplomat. Worked for the foreign service for 40 plus years... I was privy to much of what they have to endure, including coups and potential kidnappings and all sorts of other crap. It's not all about cocktail parties.. though I do remember having to serve hors d'oevres at way too many of those.
ReplyDeleteUnlike the military, I don't think any foreign service employee expects to be sent to a war zone.. a hardship post, yeah, but not a war zone.
Just my 2 inside cents.
I have met many diplomats who are top notch, brave, and understand that when they signed up with the Foreign Service, they must take the good with the bad. Those who expect (indeed demand) only the good should look elseware for employment. It should be a privilage, not a right.
ReplyDeleteJoe: Libs dominate US State Dept. Often they lean with the oil-rich Islamists vs. US interests. Their suit and tie meetings are collegial and can lead to nice jobs for them after they retire from govt. work.
ReplyDeleteThey often tout "diplomacy" over action. The posting to Iraq is the perfect opportunity to come face-to-face with the Islamist barbarians and apply their considerable negotiation skills. Condi Rice has hit a home run with this move. Libs should be cheering. This is no D.C. debate club. Iraq is the real deal. I look forward to seeing our diplo corp talk down the savages! Good luck!
F. Garvin, Ph.D., S.J.
Yes, Joe, they understand that there will be some less than favourable, somewhat dangerous assignments, however not war zones. The State Dept. usually closes down Embassies/Consulates in war zones, they don't open them. If diplomats were trained in warfare, how to use guns etc. I'd say yeah... send them wherever, but my Dad was a Consul, he processed visas. They don't deserve to be sent into a battle zone.
ReplyDeleteMy 2 cents.