We want you, We want you, We Want you for a new recruit

richlevy · 10-27-2007, 08:48 AM

Whoever though diplomats were stupid should read this.

I had a few thoughts on this. Doesn't the President usually pick top campaign donors for diplomatic posts? Can't we get Bush to pick a 'coalition of the willing' from some of his Bush Pioneers? Heck, if they donated more than $200K, we would give them free body armor.

I am sort of curious. How much extra pay and vacation time?

Quote:

Uncle Sam drafts diplomats for embassy in Iraq

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The State Department says it will require some diplomats to serve in Iraq because of a lack of volunteers willing to work at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
Beginning Monday, 200 to 300 diplomats will be notified they have been identified as prime candidates to fill 40 to 50 vacancies that will open next year at the embassy, said Harry Thomas, director general of the Foreign Service.
Those notified they have been selected for a one-year posting will have 10 days to respond. Only those with compelling reasons, such as a medical condition, will be excused from duty, Thomas said Friday.
He said those being sent to Iraq will receive extra pay and vacation time. About 50 diplomats will be needed in Iraq by January, in addition to the current level of 200.
However, those refusing Iraq duty may face disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for failing to uphold their oath to serve the United States and the Constitution, Thomas said.

The good news is that if they go here, they can order this button:

Quote:

I'm not expendable, I'm not stupid, and I'M NOT GOING

TheMercenary · 10-27-2007, 09:45 AM

Price of service in the Diplomatic Corps. No big deal, unless you are chosen and don't want to go. I bet they will have plenty of people who will go if selected. That whole service and duty thing that most people don't get.

richlevy · 10-27-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Price of service in the Diplomatic Corps. No big deal, unless you are chosen and don't want to go. I bet they will have plenty of people who will go if selected. That whole service and duty thing that most people don't get.

Quote:

The State Department says it will require some diplomats to serve in Iraq because of a lack of volunteers willing to work at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

I think people get it just fine.

TheMercenary · 10-27-2007, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richlevy

I think people get it just fine.

Just because people are not falling over each other to go does not mean that when asked they will not go freely when asked or told to go. Most public servants do not go to many ugly places because they are excited about jumping into the fire, but all of them do so freely when asked.

lumberjim · 10-27-2007, 11:17 AM

If they don't want to go they can quit. what's the problem?

TheMercenary · 10-27-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

If they don't want to go they can quit. what's the problem?

Pretty much. The risk being it would be a career ender. And the government is very good at making those lists consist of people who would rather go than give up the potential retirement, as well as including those they want to get rid of because they know they will quit rather than go.

richlevy · 10-27-2007, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Pretty much. The risk being it would be a career ender. And the government is very good at making those lists consist of people who would rather go than give up the potential retirement, as well as including those they want to get rid of because they know they will quit rather than go.

It would be a lot more effective if they could make up the lists to include people based on how good they are.

Since almost everyone agrees that the solution to Iraq will be political, it would be comforting to know the embassy is not being used as a dumping ground for the dregs of the diplomatic corps.

lumberjim · 10-27-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

If they don't want to go they can quit. what's the problem?

sorry....forgot my sarcasm flags.

i think it's bullshit. forced relocation is onething, forced expatriotizationismski is a whole nother kettle of fish.

ZenGum · 10-27-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

sorry....forgot my sarcasm flags.

i think it's bullshit. forced relocation is onething, forced expatriotizationismski is a whole nother kettle of fish.

I don't really agree. If someone joins the diplomatic corps they have to expect to be expatriated. And it isn't all going to be Paris and Vienna; if you don't want to be (occasionally) sent to overseas dumps, you shouldn't join the D.C.
If they don't like it, they have the freedom to quit, which I believe is more than Military people have. Sure, quitting for such a reason may ruin your career in the public service and make it harder to get a good job in the private sector (C'mon, it shows you have judgement)... but I don't think it will "end" your career completely. Not as much as a well-placed IED or mortar round would, anyway.

TheMercenary · 10-27-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richlevy

It would be a lot more effective if they could make up the lists to include people based on how good they are.

Since almost everyone agrees that the solution to Iraq will be political, it would be comforting to know the embassy is not being used as a dumping ground for the dregs of the diplomatic corps.

The way society treats anyone who trys to do good in Iraq it is no surprise to me that people aren't jumping on the plane to go help out what is otherwise a losing cause in the eyes of most Americans.

xoxoxoBruce · 10-28-2007, 09:52 AM

You mean they don't want to be labeled Big Dics?

TheMercenary · 10-28-2007, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

You mean they don't want to be labeled Big Dics?

Much larger than that. IMHO anyone who supports a positive outcome in Iraq is a warmonger or "Bushie" supporter or a Neocon. And that my friend would be bull shit. I know plenty of very good people who are none of those things, all trying hard to do good work over there. The American public has basically abandoned them in the name of partisan politics.

xoxoxoBruce · 10-28-2007, 10:35 AM

Excellent point. Speaking for myself, I thought this was was a mistake, it was also executed in a moronic manner.... and Bush is an idiot.

But that said, we broke it, and we have an obligation to find the best outcome we can.

I'm heartened by what tw calls "feel good stories", coming from independent (Mike Yon & friends) sources. Stories that show some understanding of the situation and efforts by our on-the-ground leadership, to do the best they can toward that end.

Of course a storybook ending, where Iraq lives happily ever after, doesn't let Bush off the hook for creating this fiasco.

Urbane Guerrilla · 10-28-2007, 11:06 PM

Actually, Bruce, it does. Think about it.

TheMercenary · 10-29-2007, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Excellent point. Speaking for myself, I thought this was was a mistake, it was also executed in a moronic manner.... and Bush is an idiot.

But that said, we broke it, and we have an obligation to find the best outcome we can.

I'm heartened by what tw calls "feel good stories", coming from independent (Mike Yon & friends) sources. Stories that show some understanding of the situation and efforts by our on-the-ground leadership, to do the best they can toward that end.

Of course a storybook ending, where Iraq lives happily ever after, doesn't let Bush off the hook for creating this fiasco.

I can't disagree with any of that. I share your sentiments on all points.

10-27-2007, 09:45 AM	#2
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	Price of service in the Diplomatic Corps. No big deal, unless you are chosen and don't want to go. I bet they will have plenty of people who will go if selected. That whole service and duty thing that most people don't get. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

10-27-2007, 11:17 AM	#5
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	If they don't want to go they can quit. what's the problem? __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

10-28-2007, 11:06 PM	#14
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	Actually, Bruce, it does. Think about it. __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

10-28-2007, 09:52 AM	#11
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	You mean they don't want to be labeled Big Dics?

10-28-2007, 10:35 AM	#13
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Excellent point. Speaking for myself, I thought this was was a mistake, it was also executed in a moronic manner.... and Bush is an idiot. But that said, we broke it, and we have an obligation to find the best outcome we can. I'm heartened by what tw calls "feel good stories", coming from independent (Mike Yon & friends) sources. Stories that show some understanding of the situation and efforts by our on-the-ground leadership, to do the best they can toward that end. Of course a storybook ending, where Iraq lives happily ever after, doesn't let Bush off the hook for creating this fiasco.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)