State Dept. to order U.S. diplomats to Iraq, or else

We are better off without the further services of anyone unwilling to fulfill their obligation. Many US soldiers in WWII feared consequences to their families of serving in combat zones. Thank God that they were committed enough to serve however their nation saw fit to assign them.

Diplomats? Who needs diplomats when you shoot first and try diplomacy later?

I was on a flight earlier this year sitting next to a State Dept guy, an Arabist, who said he had refused to go to Iraq. Who can blame him?

The diplomatic experts on everything who think they can micro-manage from an ivory tower can get some hands-on experience in reality. Things look alot more complicated up close than a few thousand miles away. Let's see how their theories fare when they try to put them into practice.

I have to agree with Ensher. People who join the Foreign Service to "see the world" should go into travel services instead. The Foreign Service isn't glamorous, nor is it a place to be if you are looking for a cushy government job.

Everyone wants a diplomatic solution when the drums of war are beating yet no one wants to be a diplomat in an unstable region of the world. If the place were stable, why would they "need" diplomats?

These whiny babies should just suck it up and fulfill their obligations.

You should check out the Wounded Warriors Project. Its a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness for U.S. troops severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. It really puts a face on the cost of this conflict. Here's a link:

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/aarwebshow

Jeff

I wonder if we'll be able to hear the noise when all those doors slam in DC when these people leave their jobs.

Mr. James writes, "Ever since it became apparent that the U.S. had opened a Pandora's Box of violence after the 2003 invasion of Iraq..." Gee, and here I thought it was Osama Bin Dumbo and his cadre of suicide nut cakes who were blowing up people and things. Point taken is that we can always rely on the left wing press to blame America first.

The State Department has run out of political supporters to send.

Now we'll see some real cutting and running!!!

Cushy? Monrovia, Lome, Addis Ababa, Bogota. Places most Americans can't find on a map, but hundreds of Foreign Service officers serve there and other 'cushy' spots. Over a thousand FSOs have volunteered for the largest Embassy in the world, and there are only just over 10,000 FSOs. There simply aren't enough, and with the right skills. All not to practice diplomacy, but wave the flag (unarmed, of course) while the country implodes around them.

Peace Corps has this problem.

http://peacecorpswatch.blogspot.com/

Foreign Service Agents are mainly a bunch of liberal academics who tend to be elitists/socialists and Democrats. This is why they didn't like a true diplomat John Bolton. Instead they are Joe Wilson's and leftover Clintonista' diplomats.Obviously, you have to force them to go to Iraq because they are basically lazy. Jerry White, Springfield, IL

Remember when people though first of there county and second of thereselfs. I guess the me generation has finally found out that the world don't give a dame about me or I its about team. Join up or join out it doesn't matter. For everyone who quite the Foreign Service there will be 10 to take there place. Because like it or not its a great place to expand your career in the ever increasing world of business and commerce. Get over it and join up and win.

Diplomacy in the Middle East has been made an oxymoron by the Bush administration. In fact, not just in the Middle east but also in many parts of the world today. The job of diplomacy doesn't just lie in the hands of diplomats, but those of the entire government. I can't imagine what would be expected of those diplomats to perform in Iraq other than increase the cost of America's mistake.

I see our resident traitor from Springfield is sipping the ethanol once more. How any sane person can put John Bolton and "diplomat" in the same sentence is beyond me. My the way, bozo, Wilson was first appointed to his position by a Republipuke!

We are getting rid of Blackwater, the most effective anti-terror unit we've ever had and now we are sending our brightest foreign service minds to Iraq?!...sounds like lambs to the slaughter. Why dont we send the Bush daughters or the Ensher offspring instead. Let them stand in the line of fire. This whole Iraq mess is regrettable and too many Americans have been lost already. Bring our troops and diplomats home!!!

Diplomacy--the act and practice of conducting negotiations between nations; skills in affairs without arousing hostility.
What nation do we negotiate with given the lame name "war on terror"?--No nation with which to form a treaty. The liars-- BushCo-- never wanted to negotiate a truce with anyone--Fake accent Bush could never be president in a time of peace. It would not be a means to his/ Cheney's end. America already, ostensibly, is an ally of Iraq. We are their parent company. So why so many diplomats needed inside Iraq with the skills in handling affairs without hostility? It is way past time to get the hell out of Iraq--especially given the fact that Iraq was NEVER a country that attacked us. How many American men and woman have died in the needless occupation/invasion/war(?)--almost 4000. Why have NOT Bush and Cheney made the ultimate sacrifice in their (2.4 Trillion dollar--8,000 dollars for each American) occupation/invasion/war themselves?

The previous poster is dead-on. If this war, as Ensher writes, is to be a "paradigm of future conflicts" then we're all in deep trouble.

In previous wars embassies were evacuated, not staffed up. This model worked for 200 years: let's not change it now.

I happen to be in the Foreign Service as a specialist. I have no Arabic or Iraq centric skills so I believe I will not be asked to go, however I would seriously consider resigning if asked. Sure, we signed up to be worldwide available and I have served in an extreme place, but not a war zone. If you look at most of the places that have been evacuated in the recent past, and there have been many, in those situations it was still better than in
Iraq. My point is that diplomats should not even be there until it can be considered safe. We are not armed and we are not there to be shot at. We are there to serve the interests of the US in diplomacy. That does not involve guns.

"Sure, we signed up to be worldwide available and I have served in an extreme place, but not a war zone."

Posted by: Jason | October 28, 2007 1:33 AM

It's not a job, it's an adventure!!!

I believe the lack of volunteers is a true representation of what our country may become - a nation of individuals willing to wave the flag as long as there is no risk. Duty, honor and country that the military continue to show by example seem to be lacking in some areas of the foreign service.
Yes, it is dangerous. There is conflict and a need for diplomacy er diplomats. Maybe we need to separate the wheat from the chaf and say serve or go find another less risky lower paying job. I'm fairly certain some of these people who refuse to go will no doubt end up in congress someday.

I believe the lack of volunteers is a true representation of what our country may become - a nation of individuals willing to wave the flag as long as there is no risk. Duty, honor and country that the military continue to show by example seem to be lacking in some areas of the foreign service.
Yes, it is dangerous. There is conflict and a need for diplomacy er diplomats. Maybe we need to separate the wheat from the chaf and say serve or go find another less risky lower paying job. I'm fairly certain some of these people who refuse to go will no doubt end up in congress someday.

Gee, and here I thought it was Osama Bin Dumbo and his cadre of suicide nut cakes who were blowing up people and things. Point taken is that we can always rely on the left wing press to blame America first.
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Gee, I didn't know Osama lied about WMD's and ordered our troops to invade Iraq without provocation. And I don't like your calling them suicide nutcakes.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N19303337.htm

Gee, and here I thought it was Osama Bin Dumbo and his cadre of suicide nut cakes who were blowing up people and things.

_________________________________

You see, the problem is, you're thinking. And not doing a very good job of it either. It is NOT OBL blowing up decent American soldiers, it is Iraqis that are tired of foreign occupiers in their country. President chainsaw and his commander in rhetoric, earboy, want you to think that there is some relationship between OBL and Iraq. Since you are incapable of independent critical thought, you believe their lies.

Waving a flag doesn't make someone a patriot and having a little yellow ribbon stuck on your car doesn't mean you support the troops.

Most people have no idea what diplomats do and by the comments here it seems that this group is an accurate representation of the aggregate populace.

The Marines and Soldiers in Iraq are benefited by both being able to carry a weapon and not being taxed on their earnings, all for being in a war zone. I don't know why diplomats should be any different given that it’s the same war zone.

The fact is that most of the resources in putting the diplomats in Iraq aren't used for diplomatic purposes, they're used for security.

This should be an economic argument. Why have diplomats in place and maintain them when they can only marginally or can't at all do their job? Remember, they are only in Iraq for 1 year. If you figure the first week will be getting aquainted with the environment and job, 5 weeks out of country on leave and the last week packing their bags and trying to say alive to get home why bother having them there at all for 10 months? They don’t know anyone and all the Iraq’s know that State employees are only here for the short term so they don’t try and build any relationships, that is other then to get them visas to come to the US.

People in Ivory towers have different agendas that at times depart from any logical or efficiency based reality. I think this is one of those times.

Jason, if I have to go, you have to go too, buddy. We both serve this country, and not on our own terms either. Ever read your employment contract? So pack your bags, one way or the other.

Unlike State employees, Soldiers don't get to quit.

As for Crotty and Co., I never heard such a bunch of abject cowards in my life. The Foreign Service is not a series of lovely vacation destinations. "Service" requires sacrifice. Diplomats can't make a difference on the streets of Iraq by sitting behind a desk.

If you expect us troops to risk our lives, we expect you to ante up as well -- even if it's just serving a "death sentence" in the fortified, comfortable Green Zone. Show some commitment, Staties.

Foreign Service officers seem to be too fearful to endanger themselves for their country. I am in the military, and at least they can resign instead of going into the combat zone, & they will not be asked to engage the enemy. They have the freedom to whine without fear of prosecution for cowardice - a crime under the uniform code of military justice.

Stunts like this will ensure that Foreign Service personnel get all the respect they deserve when they get to Iraq.

I am willing to go to Iraq as part of a volunteer citizens peace mission, and I will bet my life we can make the important difference. If you are willing to make this happen, please contact me. cswriter1@juno.com

What a bunch of panty-waist wusses. Kick their butts out and find people who know the meaning of "commitment."

I just think it is funny that the loyal busies in Condy's department are now being led off to die in Iraq so Bush & Chaney can make money and all of the sudden it isn't worth it? LOVE IT. I insist they go!!!! In fact, if you voted for Bush, you should go. If you plan to vote GOP in 08, you need to go too.