Comments on: U.S. diplomats vent over forced Iraq duty

By: Patrick Sperry

Patrick Sperry — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 14:56:51 +0000

Well stated Abu!

By: Abu Santiago

Abu Santiago — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:22:09 +0000

The numbers speak for themselves – more than 1000 FSOs have voluntarily served in Iraq and more continue to do so all the time. Small compared to the military, but remeber there are more soldiers in the U.S. Army maching bands than Foreign Service Officers worldwide.

I volunteered for a year in Iraq, leaving my wife and two toddlers behind. That tour was bookended by a pair of hardship/danger postings in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. Fortunately my family was with me then, but keep in mind they voluntarily share the same dangers and hardships I do when posted overseas.

As for some of the complaints at the townhall meeting – I felt the Department made my time in Iraq as good as could reasonably be asked – it is a war after all. Was it hard? Very. Was it a sacrifice and a risk? Of course. Am I convinced our policy there is infallible? Not by a long shot. But, I would not trade my experience there for anything. The job needs to be done and the “public” display at the town hall and Jack Croddy’s comments cheapen the voluntary contribution of those who have served and those who will. There are plenty of FSOs that stand ready to serve side-by-side with service men and women in Iraq, many more who serve in challenging conditions around the world (usually together with their families, although there are still over 800 “unaccompanied” positions), and luckily only a minority who are willing to verbally disgrace the sacrifices and achievements made by the organization as a whole. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of that story when the press covers the State Department in Iraq.

By: cary

cary — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 04:23:22 +0000

You said it, Fred – they want the action they started, but not right in their laps. They have made their bed (by failing to diplomize Saddam into submission) so now they have to lay in it.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:03:49 +0000

Well, lets send our 18, 19, & 20 year old kids, right out of high school, and right out of boot camp, to fight a war that they really know NOTHING about. In fact, lets lie to them, tell them that things are improving and the war is under control. We are in full support of you guys, right here from the home front. But, you can’t really expect us to leave our big houses, nice cars, and fancy offices to really promote diplomacy in Iraq…CAN YOU???
….What a load of crap!!!

By: Silvan

Silvan — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:44:11 +0000

Call Director Jack Croddy at 202-647-1318 and let him know what you think.

By: RTaylor

RTaylor — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 05:19:43 +0000

Remember the wise words of Commander Montgomery Scott, chief engineer of the USS Enterprise:
“Diplomats – the best diplomat I know is a fully activated phaser bank.”

By: Rtaylor

Rtaylor — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 05:06:23 +0000

Nothing more to add here — after what they did to Blackwater, they should go – “protected” by Iraqi security forces. Then we’ll see how fast they beg for our Blackwater guys….

By: Debbie

Debbie — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:51:01 +0000

Many want to be diplomats in cushy places with all the perks. The ones who really want to make a difference won’t be whining and crying about this assignment in Iraq.

By: GM Roper

GM Roper — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:21:24 +0000

Send me coach, send me!

By: Bloviating Zeppelin

Bloviating Zeppelin — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:33:26 +0000

Bill Smith is right — and Right. I happen to know some in the so-called “Diplomatic Corps” and it amazes me they are still there. The DC is liberal and Left Wing beyond belief. They find it amazing that they have to conform to standards set by anyone other than themselves. They are self-centered, arrogant, and better than you and me. Just ask them.

To which I say, in summation: fuck you. Suck it up. You takes the Guvmint Dollahs, you takes ya’all chances.

Fuck ya with a hot piece’a rebar.