Comments on: Diplomats ‘upset over forced postings to Iraq.’ http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:39:54 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Leftside Annie http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-2/#comment-4141588 Leftside Annie Thu, 01 Nov 2007 19:13:41 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4141588 49 - Misc: I'm still not buying that argument. Furthermore, I have absolutely NO sympathy for ANYONE who is willing to work for the Bushies, alleged "liberal democrats" or not. If a hardass dose of reality - like being posted to a war zone - is what it takes to get people to recognize that this administration is a nothing more CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE - then it's well worth it. They don't want to go to Iraq? THEN QUIT. Let the Bushtoadies fend for themselves. 49 – Misc: I’m still not buying that argument.

Furthermore, I have absolutely NO sympathy for ANYONE who is willing to work for the Bushies, alleged “liberal democrats” or not.

If a hardass dose of reality – like being posted to a war zone – is what it takes to get people to recognize that this administration is a nothing more CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE – then it’s well worth it.

They don’t want to go to Iraq?

THEN QUIT. Let the Bushtoadies fend for themselves.

]]> By: deebaser http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-2/#comment-4141135 deebaser Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:53:32 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4141135 These are the jobs- Irag jobs And, if you read the Foreign Service Officer suggested reading list (for the test), it’s a pretty liberal and well rounded world view. Most likely these guys are thoughtfull people that would rather not be part of a huge mistake. reading list I’m sure Condi isn’t aware how anti Bush that list reads. Comment by flatfoot — November 1, 2007 @ 2:39 am Recommend (1) | Report Abuse ----- That's worth repeating. These people aren't ambassadors or James Bond. They're white collar analysts who received the position based mostly on merit. I've taken the FSO exam and it is comprehensive and competitive as all hell. If I remember correctly I scored in the 91-94% percentile and I didn't get a call back. These are the jobs-
Irag jobs

And, if you read the Foreign Service Officer suggested reading list (for the test), it’s a pretty liberal and well rounded world view. Most likely these guys are thoughtfull people that would rather not be part of a huge mistake.
reading list
I’m sure Condi isn’t aware how anti Bush that list reads.

Comment by flatfoot — November 1, 2007 @ 2:39 am
Recommend (1) | Report Abuse

—–

That’s worth repeating. These people aren’t ambassadors or James Bond. They’re white collar analysts who received the position based mostly on merit.

I’ve taken the FSO exam and it is comprehensive and competitive as all hell. If I remember correctly I scored in the 91-94% percentile and I didn’t get a call back.

]]> By: Coffins Draped with a Flag http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-2/#comment-4140959 Coffins Draped with a Flag Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:40:02 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140959 Well, well, well, now the diplomats know how are military feel. No one wants to be assigned to the death trap known as Iraq. Republicans - the party of torture, death and deficits. Signing off.... coffins Well, well, well, now the diplomats know how are military feel. No one wants to be assigned to the death trap known as Iraq.

Republicans – the party of torture, death and deficits.

Signing off…. coffins

]]> By: OleHippieChick http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-2/#comment-4140956 OleHippieChick Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:24:04 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140956 Please pass the sweet and sour - KABOOM! There's no US diplomacy going on anywhere. Please pass the sweet and sour – KABOOM!

There’s no US diplomacy going on anywhere.

]]> By: flatfoot http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-2/#comment-4140905 flatfoot Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:39:06 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140905 These are the jobs- <a href="http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/jobsearch.asp?tm=&jts=iraq&re=0&sort=rv&jbf574=ST*&FedEmp=Y&vw=d&ss=0&brd=3876&FedPub=Y&caller=/a9st00.asp" rel="nofollow">Irag jobs</a> And, if you read the Foreign Service Officer suggested reading list (for the test), it's a pretty liberal and well rounded world view. Most likely these guys are thoughtfull people that would rather not be part of a huge mistake. <a href="http://careers.state.gov/docs/3-0-0_FSO_readinglist.pdf" rel="nofollow">reading list</a> I'm sure Condi isn't aware how anti Bush that list reads. These are the jobs-
Irag jobs

And, if you read the Foreign Service Officer suggested reading list (for the test), it’s a pretty liberal and well rounded world view. Most likely these guys are thoughtfull people that would rather not be part of a huge mistake.
reading list
I’m sure Condi isn’t aware how anti Bush that list reads.

]]> By: williamf http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-2/#comment-4140833 williamf Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:37:15 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140833 Who is supposed to staff the $141 million embassy boondoggle in Baghdad? If an embassy is open who is supposed to be there to do business? Don't try to sell me on the fact that most of these people are career people. All the more reason for them to suck it up and get it done. As a taxpayer and more especially a veteran who has paid a price these precious people will never have to pay I want that GD embassy staffed and business goin' on. Who will be there to open the doors and do the work? Keep the whiners in the states, the slackers there too, get some people who are going to do their work in an effective and professional manner. I guess that means the career people. All of sudden the green zone is unsafe after all the bullshit we've been fed by Gen. Betrayus and Georgie kegger boy. Shit in shit out folks. Who is supposed to staff the $141 million embassy boondoggle in Baghdad? If an embassy is open who is supposed to be there to do business? Don’t try to sell me on the fact that most of these people are career people. All the more reason for them to suck it up and get it done. As a taxpayer and more especially a veteran who has paid a price these precious people will never have to pay I want that GD embassy staffed and business goin’ on. Who will be there to open the doors and do the work? Keep the whiners in the states, the slackers there too, get some people who are going to do their work in an effective and professional manner. I guess that means the career people. All of sudden the green zone is unsafe after all the bullshit we’ve been fed by Gen. Betrayus and Georgie kegger boy. Shit in shit out folks.

]]> By: Shayne http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-2/#comment-4140807 Shayne Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:56:38 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140807 Hey Misc, many soldiers joined the military because they couldn't afford to go to college and better themselves any other way. And they didn't have the opportunity to say I don't want to go. All the diplomats were told they could either go or they could quit. That's a choice they get to make. See the difference? Let them quit and see how the rest of the world gets by outside of the comfort of a government job where little is expected and the rewards are high. Hey Misc, many soldiers joined the military because they couldn’t afford to go to college and better themselves any other way. And they didn’t have the opportunity to say I don’t want to go. All the diplomats were told they could either go or they could quit. That’s a choice they get to make. See the difference? Let them quit and see how the rest of the world gets by outside of the comfort of a government job where little is expected and the rewards are high.

]]> By: texaslady http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-2/#comment-4140803 texaslady Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:50:06 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140803 So it is better to support a dictator than lose your job ? People in Germany thought the same thing, they ignored the smell from the furnaces as long as the Brown Shirts didn't come for them. But, after the last person is taken, who will protect you ? My belief that this is just politics and will turn for the better is getting less and less. So it is better to support a dictator than lose your job ? People in Germany thought the same thing, they ignored the smell from the furnaces as long as the Brown Shirts didn’t come for them. But, after the last person is taken, who will protect you ?

My belief that this is just politics and will turn for the better is getting less and less.

]]> By: shaun http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-2/#comment-4140800 shaun Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:45:44 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140800 did they say "several hundred diplomats"???....what are these several hundred people going to do? - will they be posted to all provinces of the country or will they just tuck themselves away in the new embassy palace?....what is their purpose?....counter insurgent anti terrorist experts? - bomb dismatlers??....or just another several hundred million dollars of tax payers money putting more troops in harm's way did they say “several hundred diplomats”???….what are these several hundred people going to do? – will they be posted to all provinces of the country or will they just tuck themselves away in the new embassy palace?….what is their purpose?….counter insurgent anti terrorist experts? – bomb dismatlers??….or just another several hundred million dollars of tax payers money putting more troops in harm’s way

]]> By: Tired Of Fighting http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-2/#comment-4140784 Tired Of Fighting Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:14:39 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140784 Good!! Now if they only would gather all on here and other sites, tv/ radio shows, bars, boardrooms, country clubs, confederate shooting clubs, and all who support WAR, WAR , WAR, but have never been over there, then and ONLY then would there be an end to all of this BS. Now there idiots want to cry about being FORCED to go to Iraq instead of cheerleading from the comforts of home and Faux News studios on Sunday's. I have NO sympathy, NONE!!! RIP SGT Stephen R. Sherman C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER) KIA 3 Feb 2005 Mosul, Iraq Good!!

Now if they only would gather all on here and other sites, tv/ radio shows, bars, boardrooms, country clubs, confederate shooting clubs, and all who support WAR, WAR , WAR, but have never been over there, then and ONLY then would there be an end to all of this BS.

Now there idiots want to cry about being FORCED to go to Iraq instead of cheerleading from the comforts of home and Faux News studios on Sunday’s.

I have NO sympathy, NONE!!!

RIP
SGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq

]]> By: Misc http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-4140766 Misc Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:34:38 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140766 Leftside Annie - the government is huge. It consists of around 1.5 million people, and the vast majority have been there longer than the Bush administration. In fact, the majority are liberal Democrats. The government is too large for any administration to micromanage most of it. So it's really not true that everyone who doesn't support Bush has been "weeded out". I'm speaking as a government employee, here -- my co-workers and I complain about the idiot in the White House constantly. Leftside Annie – the government is huge. It consists of around 1.5 million people, and the vast majority have been there longer than the Bush administration. In fact, the majority are liberal Democrats.

The government is too large for any administration to micromanage most of it. So it’s really not true that everyone who doesn’t support Bush has been “weeded out”. I’m speaking as a government employee, here — my co-workers and I complain about the idiot in the White House constantly.

]]> By: Misc http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-4140763 Misc Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:29:47 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140763 And for those of you who are saying "it's their job, just like the soldiers had to go!": it is generally NOT part of the job for diplomats to be sent to an active war zone to staff an embassy, for a number of reasons (including the fact that diplomats really can't do much good under those circumstances). In fact, it's almost unheard of. Soldiers, by contrast, work a job that BY DEFINITION is about putting your life on the line and potentially killing the other guys. There's literally no comparison. Hardship appointments happen all the time in diplomacy. War zone deployments do not. And for those of you who are saying “it’s their job, just like the soldiers had to go!”: it is generally NOT part of the job for diplomats to be sent to an active war zone to staff an embassy, for a number of reasons (including the fact that diplomats really can’t do much good under those circumstances). In fact, it’s almost unheard of. Soldiers, by contrast, work a job that BY DEFINITION is about putting your life on the line and potentially killing the other guys.

There’s literally no comparison. Hardship appointments happen all the time in diplomacy. War zone deployments do not.

]]> By: Misc http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-4140761 Misc Thu, 01 Nov 2007 01:25:16 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140761 Wow -- an awful lot of people seem to think everything and everyone in the government is a Bush appointee. Most of the people in question are career government employees, and most are likely liberal democrats who disagree with the war. Think about it, folks: how often has this administration given a damn about diplomacy? How does it help our country to lose qualified and capable diplomats, when that's likely EXACTLY what the Bush administration would want? The bottom line, guys, is that NO ONE should be over there. Adding more people who shouldn't be there won't solve anything. How would you feel if you were told you have to support the Bush administration AND put your life on the line doing it, or lose your job? Wow — an awful lot of people seem to think everything and everyone in the government is a Bush appointee.

Most of the people in question are career government employees, and most are likely liberal democrats who disagree with the war. Think about it, folks: how often has this administration given a damn about diplomacy? How does it help our country to lose qualified and capable diplomats, when that’s likely EXACTLY what the Bush administration would want?

The bottom line, guys, is that NO ONE should be over there. Adding more people who shouldn’t be there won’t solve anything.

How would you feel if you were told you have to support the Bush administration AND put your life on the line doing it, or lose your job?

]]> By: dono http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-4140700 dono Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:24:14 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140700 Hey don't worry, I will pick a color for our 'support our diplomats' magnetic ribbons and sell them to all the SUV owners - what's not to like? Hey don’t worry, I will pick a color for our ’support our diplomats’ magnetic ribbons and sell them to all the SUV owners – what’s not to like?

]]> By: williamf http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-4140642 williamf Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:31:15 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140642 What a bunch of pussies. Who is raising the kids of the dead GI's? How many single parents has George's screwed-up, made-up war made in the last few years? Volunteers can die but not me oh no. I've got an ivy league education and plans. Let the Volunteers die. Duty is a word these drones should learn. You go when it is your duty and the duty of the state department is to represent the US overseas. For cryin' out loud there is a 100 acre campus and a 141 million dollar facility for them to live in. So what if there is incoming go to the bunker dumb ass and do your duty otherwise. You sorry ass war dodgers...can't even do the honorable thing when your job calls for it. Let the serfs die I've got places to go, other than Iraq, and big important things to do. Forget all of you pinstriped, whinin' pond scum. What a bunch of pussies. Who is raising the kids of the dead GI’s? How many single parents has George’s screwed-up, made-up war made in the last few years? Volunteers can die but not me oh no. I’ve got an ivy league education and plans. Let the Volunteers die. Duty is a word these drones should learn. You go when it is your duty and the duty of the state department is to represent the US overseas. For cryin’ out loud there is a 100 acre campus and a 141 million dollar facility for them to live in. So what if there is incoming go to the bunker dumb ass and do your duty otherwise. You sorry ass war dodgers…can’t even do the honorable thing when your job calls for it. Let the serfs die I’ve got places to go, other than Iraq, and big important things to do. Forget all of you pinstriped, whinin’ pond scum.

]]> By: texaslady http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-4140583 texaslady Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:54:10 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140583 #39 - non partisan, well maybe some however, others are given the jobs for party loyalty, wish I could remember the name recently that has been a Bush family friend for years given a post. I agree, at least they can resign unlike the military who are given a stop loss and kept forever. #39 – non partisan, well maybe some however, others are given the jobs for party loyalty, wish I could remember the name recently that has been a Bush family friend for years given a post. I agree, at least they can resign unlike the military who are given a stop loss and kept forever.

]]> By: Hemlock for Gadflies http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-4140561 Hemlock for Gadflies Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:39:52 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140561 I'm an Iraq vet and I say, "tough shit." If they don't want the job, they can go to the civilian sector. But to have the nerve to say "what about our children" when nearly 4,000 troops have given their lives for this misbegotten war is appalling. I guess you only join the State Department for the crab Louis at the embassy in Paris. And lest you think this is some kind of back-handed defense of the administration -- what happens when a bunch of diplomats say, "no, thanks" if ordered to go to Darfur or some other place with a humanitarian catastrophe? Oh, sorry, it's icky there. They have diseases 'n' stuff. And the people are so poor. But if you want to force me to go to, like, London or Tokyo, I might be cool with that. I’m an Iraq vet and I say, “tough shit.” If they don’t want the job, they can go to the civilian sector. But to have the nerve to say “what about our children” when nearly 4,000 troops have given their lives for this misbegotten war is appalling. I guess you only join the State Department for the crab Louis at the embassy in Paris.

And lest you think this is some kind of back-handed defense of the administration — what happens when a bunch of diplomats say, “no, thanks” if ordered to go to Darfur or some other place with a humanitarian catastrophe? Oh, sorry, it’s icky there. They have diseases ‘n’ stuff. And the people are so poor. But if you want to force me to go to, like, London or Tokyo, I might be cool with that.

]]> By: pete http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-4140557 pete Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:37:45 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140557 Bushco should be very careful. They might end up scaring their toadies enough to, gasp, tell the truth! Bushco should be very careful. They might end up scaring their toadies enough to, gasp, tell the truth!

]]> By: rockyroad http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-4140544 rockyroad Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:27:44 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140544 Send Cheney. Send Cheney.

]]> By: VerbalKint http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/comment-page-1/#comment-4140531 VerbalKint Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:17:08 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/31/diplomats-upset-over-forced-postings-to-iraq/#comment-4140531 On the other hand, they have to option to resign, and they should resign if they are posted to Iraq against their wishes. On the other hand, they have to option to resign, and they should resign if they are posted to Iraq against their wishes.

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