Debate Over Forced Iraq Service Continues: Diplomats Trading "Undiplomatic Potshots"

AP:

A bitter dispute over forced assignments to Iraq has erupted inside the State Department with diplomats taking decidedly undiplomatic potshots at one another.

The latest public salvo came Tuesday with a harshly critical post on the department's official blog in which a foreign service officer in Iraq skewered those who spoke out against the prospect of ordered tours of duty at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and outlying provinces.

Read the whole story: AP

Comments

[Seafoam]

Part III

I do this because I have had a chance to see my efforts help another country, and it's citizens and leaders move into a better place developmentally, and a closer relationship with the United States; because I'm in place to help Americans and American interests when the need arises, and because my being there on the ground helps important information come back to policy makers in the United States, and to our broader society. I do this because every time I go to a new post, my whole circle of acquaintances learns about a new country. I do it because I love it, even when I hate it.

Anyone who chooses this job because they think it is glamorous or cushy is wrong. There are fun moments, and thrilling moments, and moments when you get to see some place, or event that takes your breath away. But it is often hard, frequently lonely, almost always challenging, and, given the promotion system, does not provide much in the way of job security. I've had too many shots, traveled in some pretty scary aircraft, lost too many personal belongs, and given up much that others would consider important for a "normal" life, and I deeply resent being called a wimp because I, like many others, hope not to have to serve in Iraq. But what I resent most is doing all this for fellow citizens, and worst of all, a fellow Foreign Service Officer who knows better, who question my patriotism. Shame on you.
Posted on Wed Nov 07, 2007

[Seafoam]

Part II
Shame on you. I have, as have most of my colleagues, and most of the officers you know, served in many posts, including some of the poorest countries on the world, countries wracked by disease-- in one post nearly 30% of my own office staff died in a four year period. I've sat in an HIV ward holding the hand of my dying secretary, then moved two beds away to visit another colleague. I've taken dirty clothes from my staff's flood ravaged homes to my house to launder, and lived in zones prone to malaria, cholera, and other diseases. My family has worried about me as I took off again and again for places that they never heard of, and that were hard to reach (I've been doing this since long before most posts had e-mail). Most of us have been far away when family members died; many have missed the birth of their own children or had to make difficult decisions about taking those children into "hardship" posts, or had to let them go away to school in some distant land because there were no schools at post. We've lived without our spouses, or they have sacrificed their own careers to be with us, serving our country along side us, but unrewarded.
I've lived in smoky houses (from the neighbor's fireplace blowing into my upper floor apartment), in crime areas, with a huge open sewer next to my house, with rats in my yard, and lived through an earthquake. I've helped my local staff deal with bomb threats, riots, natural disasters and family emergencies. I've lived without dependable electricity and running water.

[Seafoam]

From the State Department Blog.

Part I
Robin in Washington, DC writes:

John, I'm sorry, but I have to say, shame on you. You have spouted off in a way that may make you feel superior, and certainly will win kudos from many readers, but in no way adds to a better understanding of the issues. Your entry does not respect the sincere and professional concerns of your colleagues and adds to misperceptions about our so often misrepresented profession.

I honor the service of the men and women of the military. I've worked with them, trained with them, and helped them get recognition for their efforts. But I am not in the military, I have no training for working in a combat zone, and worry about, among other things, being a burden to them, or even putting them in danger.

John, rather than chide your colleagues, use your blog to describe your day, tell how your presence is making a difference, why you feel your service in Iraq is the best use of your time and training, and of the unbelievable resources needed to get and keep you there. Justify, if you can, why nearly 20% of the entire Foreign Service of the United States is being directed to that one beleaguered country -- leaving many other vulnerable parts of the world to devolve into anti-Americanism unchecked, because we cannot afford to keep those posts fully staffed. That would be more useful than taunting others and implying that our concerns are unpatriotic, unfounded or wimpy.

[Kendo Nagasaki]

This has a familiar ring to it.

The soldiers who protest the war are given the most dangerous assignments.

[Seafoam]

I am proud of the FSOs who rebelled. Three Cheers. At last somebody stood up and said "NO".

[MissingAmerica]

What comes to mind with this is that the soldiers are not given the choice; Bush calls, they go. They know it could be a death sentence. The Ambassadors should be no different, but they have more pull. Perhaps the best way for them to keep from being sent to their death by Bush is to convince Congress to end the war and end the Bush/Cheney reign of terror. Then we can all breathe again, and we can imprison Bush in his Baghdad compound. I have a feeling the Iraqis would do just about anything to break down the walls then. It would certainly prove the strength of the barricades, wouldn't it?

[realitytrumpsbull]

5 million bucks a day, my final offer...

[Norge]

Viewing the other American instilations on earth and it is obvious the Iraqi embassy will be super hardened. It would be a very tough penetration.

[5150]

Negraponte has been worked into State, so old hands must be alarmed at how a monstrous International Crime Gang intimidates them. The Bush regime has worked massive purges and even more massive hires.

[dora rice]

living proof, that the Washington elite makes war and then let's the poor jocks fight it and die. Doesn't make any difference where in Washington they sit. Whether it's in Congress. the administration or the Pentagon.

[arkansawtravler]

Being a retired civil servant, let me give you my take on this post, this guy is well connected, he has his ticket punched, 10 to 1 he is very close to the top and is required to make very little interaction with the locals. I would put him at a second level wannabe kiss ass. Second, if he did not want someone to see his letter, he cited the military, then why did he release it? Supposedly he is a smart guy and any internet savy person automatically knows that if you put it in writing and press that send button your butt can be on the line. Not to sound paranoid, but considering the machinations of this administration why should I believe anything from anyone who supports their view. Frankly there is too much factual evidence from those on the ground, the grunts, and I believe them more than anyone else, that contradicts even the slightest reason to have an open embassy there. That reason I speculate is that the moron in the WH wants it open. So keep an open mind about this post. I tend to ride with the protestors, simply because, it has never been done before, not even during VNam, and I would also speculate that a lot of careerists have or have known since the get go that all the reasoning to start this BS was built on false premises. This is just one of their ways to let the estupidos in charge know that "they" know.

[Bush Pardons Cheney]

Wakey, wakey dumfuks

Cheney needs to be impeaced and both Pukes and Dem limp wrist cowards need to get it done.

[Liberal2]

Why not simply make a list of Foreign Service employees who, in the past six years, declared their support of Bush in order to gain advancement, pay increases, or bonuses. Staff the Iraqi embassy from that group.

Why punish other employees.­....Ohhhhh yeah, I forgot...t­his is the Bush/Cheney administra­tion...the­y only "eff" those they despise or aren't *BIG* contributors. Can ya picture one of Bush's big-time contributors being drafted as the US ambassador to Iraq?

[MrBritesnide]

Bravo HuffPo! There is'nt enough space on this blog to identify all the 2nd degree murderers in the RepubliKLAN. They successfully bamboozled idiotic white racists to march their children off to the death-grinder, but their party-faithful are not so bloody stupid.

[Jain]

Send Pelosi, Feinstein, and Shumer: they aren't doing any work in congress anyway.