“Facing staff shortages in Iraq, the State Department announced Friday that diplomats would have no choice but to accept one-year postings in the hostile environment or face losing their jobs.”
Yeah, like that’s going to work. Those people will quit their jobs and end their careers rather than going some place where there’s a good chance they will be killed.
I understand that the Bush administration already has numerous vacancies they can’t fill. Are they just trying to gut the government so they can say, “look how inefficient government is” and start privatizing all other parts of our government?
Are they just trying to gut the government so they can say, “look how inefficient government is†and start privatizing all other parts of our government?
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 27, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
I do believe that what you describe is an ulterior motive of many people in the administration. My bet is that the FSOs selected for forced duty in Iraq are those who have been identified as insufficiently loyal to Bush.
It’s only the far left wing like whiteyfresh that have been calling for a “real draft.†If you don’t want a “real draft†don’t risk voting for the Dems.
So you think that if we have a Democratic President s/he will impose a draft to keep the occupation of Iraq going? If we elect a Democratic President and they keep the occupation going, I expect they will be impeached forthwith for lying to the country. The Democrats do hold their own responsible for their actions, unlike the Republics.
And if there was an urgent need for our military to increase their numbers, I would support a draft rather than hiring mercenaries for a private army. If the people of this country actually had to have a “shared sacrifice” to support Bush’s occupation, such as a draft and tax increase to pay for the “war” (rather than putting on a credit card with China), then I believe we would have been out of Iraq years ago.
It’s not surprising that the State Department will have to force diplomats and their staffs to go to Iraq, considering the story below is becoming more and more commonly known to the American people.
“That was 14 long months ago, when the soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, arrived in southwestern Baghdad. It was before their partners in the Iraqi National Police became their enemies and before Shiite militiamen, aligned with the police, attempted to exterminate a neighborhood of middle-class Sunni families.
Next month, the U.S. soldiers will complete their tour in Iraq. Their experience in Sadiyah has left many of them deeply discouraged, by both the unabated hatred between rival sectarian fighters and the questionable will of the Iraqi government to work toward peaceful solutions.
Asked if the American endeavor here was worth their sacrifice — 20 soldiers from the battalion have been killed in Baghdad — Alarcon said no: “I don’t think this place is worth another soldier’s life.”
AND
“The American people don’t fully realize what’s going on, said Staff Sgt. Richard McClary, 27, a section leader from Buffalo.
“They just know back there what the higher-ups here tell them. But the higher-ups don’t go anywhere, and actually they only go to the safe places, places with a little bit of gunfire,” he said. “They don’t ever [expletive] see what we see on the ground.”
Yeah, like that’s going to work. Those people will quit their jobs and end their careers rather than going some place where there’s a good chance they will be killed.
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 27, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
No they won’t – they’ll quit their jobs and come back a week later as contractors, doing the same job for more money.
Those people will quit their jobs and end their careers rather than going some place where there’s a good chance they will be killed.
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 27, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
Oh, come on… Iraq’s like a farmer’s market in the Midwest in the summer time, except for the IEDs, and the executions, and the mortars, and… okay, maybe you’re right after all.
#2…Cheney’s daughter, Mary, can’t serve because she’s a lesbian. But since gays and lesbians choose their sexual orientation, as republicans claim, then why can’t Mary Cheney choose to be straight so that she can join the military? Why is there no outrage from the right on how Mary Cheney doesn’t support the troops and hates America?
The intention of this headline is to “soften” the public up for the real deal which is just around the corner. THEN you will see people jumping on the “Get out of Iran Bandwagon”!
When Cheney’s conflict of interest contract to Haliburton (from whence he receives his pension based on profits) was unchallenged, the door was opened immediately for uncensored, unqualified contracts to contractors – a license to steal taxpayer’s money.
Haliburton should have been stopped it it’s tracks! Since when does this government award “no bid” contracts?? The american people should have been out on the streets on that one.
Whatever happened to the missing Iraq money – you know the actual stacks of bills which were handed out indiscriminately at the beginning of this illegal war and which Rummy announced while no one was listening or paying attention?? Wasn’t that something like 23 Billion that went AWOL??
Whatever happened to the missing Iraq money – you know the actual stacks of bills which were handed out indiscriminately at the beginning of this illegal war and which Rummy announced while no one was listening or paying attention?? Wasn’t that something like 23 Billion that went AWOL??
Comment by Veritas — October 27, 2007 @ 1:39 pm
OHHH, THAT money! And don’t forget the 190,000 weapons that are both now hard at work, making sure their are enough insurgents to fight in Bush’s Ego war. And remember it was Petraeus responsible for both of those little ditties.
I guess TCDon had a moment of panic there, thinking he might have to actually have to participate in the war he so eagerly pushes others to fight for him.
>It’s only the far left wing like whiteyfresh that have been calling
>for a “real draft.â€
let me translate “only the far left wing has been acknowledging reality and realizing that if we want to keep trying to wage war against the entire world we’re going to need more manpower”
> If you don’t want a “real draft†don’t risk voting for the Dems.
Now TamponDon, normally I don’t even think you’re silly argments rise to the level of anything worth responding to, but do you really think that anyone is going to call for a draft for any reason other than its necessary?
do you really and truly think that no matter how many countries we start wars with, a draft will never be necessary? Could we fight the whole world and win, without needing a draft…
If they were interested in helping the US and not just having a government job to pad their pockets or resume they would be falling over themselves to take the assignment. In a department full of Bush/Cheney cronies and freemarketeers I wouldnt expect much to get accomplished as has been proven by their ideology over the past 50 years.
The Green Zone is not that bad. And you’re completely safe, everytime you go out you’re surrounded by Blackwater guys.
And how about a real draft to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps?
Is there any chance that the Bush or Cheney daughters will be conscripted into Condi’s Militia?
-GSD
October 27th, 2007 at 12:05 pmWell, that’s certainly a misleading headline.
Comment by TCDon — October 27, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
Yes, you can stop shitting your pants now.
October 27th, 2007 at 12:05 pmIf only they would impose a real draft, we might actually leave….
October 27th, 2007 at 12:06 pmHmmmm, I sense a wave of retirements and resignations, due to a sudden and very strong desire to “spend more time with the family.”
October 27th, 2007 at 12:08 pmYour’re doing a heckuva job Condi.
-GSD
October 27th, 2007 at 12:09 pmWell, that’s very diplomatic, huh.
∞
October 27th, 2007 at 12:14 pmThere is a viable alternative: bring every American home from Iraq and fire those that want to go back, starting at the top.
I just read my own comment and realized how topsy-turvey our Country is today. Our Ass is on top and his brains are where his ass should be.
October 27th, 2007 at 12:17 pmdo the soldiers have that same option?
October 27th, 2007 at 12:21 pmYeah, like that’s going to work. Those people will quit their jobs and end their careers rather than going some place where there’s a good chance they will be killed.
I understand that the Bush administration already has numerous vacancies they can’t fill. Are they just trying to gut the government so they can say, “look how inefficient government is” and start privatizing all other parts of our government?
October 27th, 2007 at 12:24 pmAre they just trying to gut the government so they can say, “look how inefficient government is†and start privatizing all other parts of our government?
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 27, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
I do believe that what you describe is an ulterior motive of many people in the administration. My bet is that the FSOs selected for forced duty in Iraq are those who have been identified as insufficiently loyal to Bush.
October 27th, 2007 at 12:33 pmFar left wing? I bet I’m more fiscally conservative than you, TCDon.
October 27th, 2007 at 12:36 pmI’m just not a social moron.
Morning Zooey!
You catch that bus in time?
October 27th, 2007 at 12:37 pmIt’s only the far left wing like whiteyfresh that have been calling for a “real draft.†If you don’t want a “real draft†don’t risk voting for the Dems.
So you think that if we have a Democratic President s/he will impose a draft to keep the occupation of Iraq going? If we elect a Democratic President and they keep the occupation going, I expect they will be impeached forthwith for lying to the country. The Democrats do hold their own responsible for their actions, unlike the Republics.
And if there was an urgent need for our military to increase their numbers, I would support a draft rather than hiring mercenaries for a private army. If the people of this country actually had to have a “shared sacrifice” to support Bush’s occupation, such as a draft and tax increase to pay for the “war” (rather than putting on a credit card with China), then I believe we would have been out of Iraq years ago.
October 27th, 2007 at 12:43 pmIt’s not surprising that the State Department will have to force diplomats and their staffs to go to Iraq, considering the story below is becoming more and more commonly known to the American people.
“That was 14 long months ago, when the soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, arrived in southwestern Baghdad. It was before their partners in the Iraqi National Police became their enemies and before Shiite militiamen, aligned with the police, attempted to exterminate a neighborhood of middle-class Sunni families.
Next month, the U.S. soldiers will complete their tour in Iraq. Their experience in Sadiyah has left many of them deeply discouraged, by both the unabated hatred between rival sectarian fighters and the questionable will of the Iraqi government to work toward peaceful solutions.
Asked if the American endeavor here was worth their sacrifice — 20 soldiers from the battalion have been killed in Baghdad — Alarcon said no: “I don’t think this place is worth another soldier’s life.”
AND
“The American people don’t fully realize what’s going on, said Staff Sgt. Richard McClary, 27, a section leader from Buffalo.
“They just know back there what the higher-ups here tell them. But the higher-ups don’t go anywhere, and actually they only go to the safe places, places with a little bit of gunfire,” he said. “They don’t ever [expletive] see what we see on the ground.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/26/AR2007102602402.html?wpisrc=newsletter
October 27th, 2007 at 12:45 pmYou catch that bus in time?
Comment by whiteyfresh — October 27, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
Indeed I did, whitey.
How are you today, you far left wing social genius? ;)
October 27th, 2007 at 12:51 pmYeah, like that’s going to work. Those people will quit their jobs and end their careers rather than going some place where there’s a good chance they will be killed.
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 27, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
No they won’t – they’ll quit their jobs and come back a week later as contractors, doing the same job for more money.
October 27th, 2007 at 12:56 pmThose people will quit their jobs and end their careers rather than going some place where there’s a good chance they will be killed.
Comment by bilbobaggins — October 27, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
Oh, come on… Iraq’s like a farmer’s market in the Midwest in the summer time, except for the IEDs, and the executions, and the mortars, and… okay, maybe you’re right after all.
October 27th, 2007 at 1:03 pm#2…Cheney’s daughter, Mary, can’t serve because she’s a lesbian. But since gays and lesbians choose their sexual orientation, as republicans claim, then why can’t Mary Cheney choose to be straight so that she can join the military? Why is there no outrage from the right on how Mary Cheney doesn’t support the troops and hates America?
October 27th, 2007 at 1:05 pmWhy is there no outrage from the right on how Mary Cheney doesn’t support the troops and hates America?
Comment by republicans are the Fear and Smear Party — October 27, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
They’re busy being outraged at Laura Bush for covering her hair like a dirty Islamohorowitz.
October 27th, 2007 at 1:09 pmThe intention of this headline is to “soften” the public up for the real deal which is just around the corner. THEN you will see people jumping on the “Get out of Iran Bandwagon”!
October 27th, 2007 at 1:36 pmoops, freudian slip…..meant Iraq (at least I think I did!) woo – woo…
October 27th, 2007 at 1:36 pmWhen Cheney’s conflict of interest contract to Haliburton (from whence he receives his pension based on profits) was unchallenged, the door was opened immediately for uncensored, unqualified contracts to contractors – a license to steal taxpayer’s money.
Haliburton should have been stopped it it’s tracks! Since when does this government award “no bid” contracts?? The american people should have been out on the streets on that one.
October 27th, 2007 at 1:38 pmWhatever happened to the missing Iraq money – you know the actual stacks of bills which were handed out indiscriminately at the beginning of this illegal war and which Rummy announced while no one was listening or paying attention?? Wasn’t that something like 23 Billion that went AWOL??
October 27th, 2007 at 1:39 pmWhatever happened to the missing Iraq money – you know the actual stacks of bills which were handed out indiscriminately at the beginning of this illegal war and which Rummy announced while no one was listening or paying attention?? Wasn’t that something like 23 Billion that went AWOL??
Comment by Veritas — October 27, 2007 @ 1:39 pm
OHHH, THAT money! And don’t forget the 190,000 weapons that are both now hard at work, making sure their are enough insurgents to fight in Bush’s Ego war. And remember it was Petraeus responsible for both of those little ditties.
October 27th, 2007 at 1:57 pmI guess TCDon had a moment of panic there, thinking he might have to actually have to participate in the war he so eagerly pushes others to fight for him.
October 27th, 2007 at 2:34 pmRice should fill one of those billets.
October 27th, 2007 at 3:24 pmThis week it’s the diplomats. Next week it’s the secretaries. Then it’s the janitors. These people are desperate.
October 27th, 2007 at 4:06 pmThese people are desperate.
Comment by Proud American Liberal — October 27, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
They should draft college Republicans. Then we could lose even faster, and get out of there.
October 27th, 2007 at 5:21 pm>It’s only the far left wing like whiteyfresh that have been calling
>for a “real draft.â€
let me translate “only the far left wing has been acknowledging reality and realizing that if we want to keep trying to wage war against the entire world we’re going to need more manpower”
> If you don’t want a “real draft†don’t risk voting for the Dems.
Now TamponDon, normally I don’t even think you’re silly argments rise to the level of anything worth responding to, but do you really think that anyone is going to call for a draft for any reason other than its necessary?
do you really and truly think that no matter how many countries we start wars with, a draft will never be necessary? Could we fight the whole world and win, without needing a draft…
October 28th, 2007 at 12:13 amIf they were interested in helping the US and not just having a government job to pad their pockets or resume they would be falling over themselves to take the assignment. In a department full of Bush/Cheney cronies and freemarketeers I wouldnt expect much to get accomplished as has been proven by their ideology over the past 50 years.
The Green Zone is not that bad. And you’re completely safe, everytime you go out you’re surrounded by Blackwater guys.
And how about a real draft to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps?
October 28th, 2007 at 7:02 amSend condi.
October 28th, 2007 at 9:54 amWell, dayum – if things are going so all-fired GREAT in Iraq…how come nobody wants to go there…?
Hmmmmmm….
October 28th, 2007 at 1:40 pm