Originally Posted By jonvn U.S. diplomats are being assigned to go to Iraq involuntarily, because we don't have enough people volunteering. And they're angry. Everyone knows this is a disaster, and these individuals who work for the government want no part of it. It's the single largest callup like this since Vietnam, and if you don't go, you get fired. So now we're going to start damaging our diplomatic corp, too. Excellent news, if you hate the USA. <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/10/31/national/w095306D03.DTL&tsp=1" target="_blank">http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/ article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/10/31/national/w095306D03.DTL&tsp=1</a>
Originally Posted By jonvn Yes, I love the terrorists and hate the USA. That makes perfect sense and is the exact sort of comment that is appropriate for this topic. Thanks.
Originally Posted By MPierce While it is rare it is not unprecedented to force an assignment upon diplomats. Are you proposing that the diplomatic mission should be left untended or is this just your statement to further oppose the war effort. The only way we get to pick, and choose our fights is through our elected officials. As long as we have our troops in harms way we should expect every means of diplomacy to be exhausted. If that means assigning diplomats to a combat zone, so be it. You will have to wait for a swing in the administration if you wish to break off or have limited diplomatic contact with Iraq.
Originally Posted By jonvn "Are you proposing that the diplomatic mission should be left untended or is this just your statement to further oppose the war effort. " I'm not proposing anything. I'm just stating that the situation has become so plainly untenable, that even the diplomatic corp wants no part of it.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy < I'm not proposing anything. I'm just stating that the situation has become so plainly untenable, that even the diplomatic corp wants no part of it. >> Don't worry, I'm sure Blackwater will start to offer contracts for diplomatic services and charge us about 4 times what it costs for the government to field their own.
Originally Posted By jonvn Do you know what their stock ticker is? Seems like a good place to invest.
Originally Posted By MPierce From what I've read they are still getting volunteers. It would seem they can not get the needed 40 to 50 diplomats that they will need in the near future. If I were a diplomat I know I would much rather have a nice cushy job somewhere in Europe. It would seem our military is much more deticated than our diplomatic corp.
Originally Posted By Mr X **It's the single largest callup like this since Vietnam, and if you don't go, you get fired.** At least they have the option of giving up their jobs. Better than giving up their lives (and I'm sure, though unsaid, that must be part of the reason they're "angry").
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "At least they have the option of giving up their jobs. Better than giving up their lives (and I'm sure, though unsaid, that must be part of the reason they're "angry")." No, they did bring this up at an employee meeting in D.C. Whoever it was that made the announcement that they had to go had no answer when asked what happens to the families that follow them over there when they die.
Originally Posted By Mr X I would think they'd have some places that were a "no family allowed" assignment, and Iraq should be at the top of the list! If it were my job, no WAY would I be bringing my family to that place...I would definitely quit. No job is worth such a risk to ones family!
