[Tokra]

Reagan fired all of the air traffic controllers and the union couldn't do anything about it. Why is this different? Or is it that 'the man' is different?

There's a huge difference.

The air traffic controllers broke the law by going on strike. Reagan didn't really "fire" then - they actually "quit" by striking. If they hadn't gone on strike - Reagan couldn't have fired them. (By the way - I was hired as a replacement air traffic controller in 1982).

Now if Condi or Bush could convince the Foggy Bottom employees to go on strike - THEN they could fire them all.

Apples and Oranges.

[Badray]

PATCO walked off the job.

The State Dep't is engaging in a different, but deliberate effort -- ignoring and obstructing -- to circumvent the policy of the President and the US Government. Both were/are contrary to the public good. They shouldn't be treated any differently, especially in a time of war.