Posted on 11/05/2007 8:52:18 AM PST by pissant
JACK CRODDY, FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER: It's one thing if someone believes in what is going on over there and volunteers. I am sorry, but, basically, that is a potential death sentence, and you know it.
And then another thought—who will take care of our children? Who will raise our children if we are dead or seriously wounded?
REP. DUNCAN HUNTER, R-CALIF.: I think we should fire those folks that don't want to go. You can't have people on the payroll who refuse to be deployed to the tough places.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRET BAIER, CO-HOST: There you see some of the back-and-forth over this issue at the State Department this week at a town hall meeting, where some officers said they did not want to be assigned to go to Iraq.
Now the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has weighed in with a cable to all diplomats, sending it out today, saying "Regardless of how the jobs may be filled, they must be filled. It is our duty to do our part towards succeeding in the vital mission in Iraq given to us by the President."
Now some analytical observations from Jeff Birnbaum, columnist of the Washington Post, Mort Kondracke, executive editor of Roll Call, and syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer, FOX News contributors all.
Some of the back and—it was amazing to watch that town hall meeting, Jeff. The vitriol for some of these Foreign Service officers about possibly being assigned to Iraq—there has not been a decision yet, but it might be that.
JEFF BIRNBAUM: That's right, they may be forced to go. And they should be forced to go. I think that is part of their duty.
I think you can make too much of these protests. There were also plenty of Foreign Service officers who
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
HUNTER: GO TO WALTER REED AND BETHESDA FOR NEW STATE DEPT PERSONNEL
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, will be meeting with President Bush today regarding his Wounded Warrior proposal to Congress. During today’s meeting, Congressman Hunter intends to also suggest that State Department personnel who refuse deployment to Baghdad be replaced with wounded veterans at Walter Reed and Bethesda hospitals.
“When the State Department appears to be filled with reluctant personnel, let’s turn to those who have bravely followed the American flag in the most dangerous of assignments,” said Congressman Hunter. “The U.S. Marines, soldiers, airmen and Navy personnel presently recovering at our national military hospitals have all the character required by the Department of State. They are brave, loyal, intelligent and fiercely determined to win the War on Terror.
“They are veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters and you can be sure that when called on for difficult assignments, they won’t convene a town meeting to protest. Especially for those whose mobility has been impaired by wounds, State Department positions, not only in Baghdad but around the world, will provide excellent jobs as well as availing our nation of their enormous talent.”
Hunter will recommend a team of State Department recruiters be immediately sent to Walter Reed and Bethesda hospitals, as well as posting application forms on relevant employment websites.
“Let’s replace these reluctant Nellies with America’s finest citizens,” concluded Hunter. “Our wounded warriors will serve our country efficiently, effectively and with undying patriotism.”
DH in the news PING
I think there is more to it than that. IIRC, Foreign Service personnel have a different pay scale than regular DoS employees.
They have been living off the higher wage and now refuse to follow their oath and obligation.
“When the State Department appears to be filled with reluctant personnel, let’s turn to those who have bravely followed the American flag in the most dangerous of assignments,” said Congressman Hunter. “The U.S. Marines, soldiers, airmen and Navy personnel presently recovering at our national military hospitals have all the character required by the Department of State. They are brave, loyal, intelligent and fiercely determined to win the War on Terror.
.........................
Mr Hunter, simply brilliant.
Good jobs for our wounded soldiers, unemployment for feeding from the trough liberals.
I will vote for Duncan Hunter in ‘08, whether the GOP chooses him to run or not. Having a Marine son who has served in Iraq for two tours, he understands the sacrifice others have made. He is the only candidate with unwavering integrity and courage and is undeniably “the best man.”
Go for it Duncan.
With statements like this, Hunter should recieve 100% of the non-”phony soldiers” vote.
Add that to his other positions and he should get 100% of the non-”phony conservatives” vote.
That would put him into the White House with Reagan like numbers.
Glenn Beck is on board...Rush where are you?
It’s time for Hunter. The time is NOW!!!!!
I think Croddy’s first statement is the most telling, “if believe in it and want to volunteer.” Most FSO’s don’t believe in what we’re doing over there.
If you don’t want to deploy to unpleasant places where there might be shooting or people not liking you because you’re American, I think the military and Foreign Service are not good career choices.
Embassy duty is not bad unless you happen to be one of the Marines standing at the front gate.
BTT!
These guys are probably sweating that the democrats will take away their Blackwater body guards.
Diplomats should go to Baghdad
Nov. 2: Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) says the U.S. diplomats who refuse to work at the embassy in Baghdad should be fired. He talks to MSNBC’s Tucker Carlson.
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=eae0616b-c9f4-4a8f-aa4b-9b9390e397d1
But, more importantly, we sign a pledge to be worldwide available, depending on the needs of the Service.
For reasons too complex and boring to write here, Iraq has really affected our assignment system in a not-so-positive way.
Directed assignments are not nice, but they are part of the program. If I am directed to go to Iraq, I either will go or resign. I don’t really know which I would choose. I will not make the government fire me.
Words fail me. Visit Arlington, and ask the souls there. And then buy life insurance, you moronic creep.
Have any diplomats been killed in Afghanistan or Iraq?
They were bombed in Kenya..but that was a safe posting.
I certainly endorse giving vets the first shot at replacing them.
This sounds like a good way to get rid of Foreign Service people that the Administration would prefer to no longer keep on the payroll. Too bad it was not made use of at the BEGINNING of the Administration
The difference was the uniform: class A or BDU I was under the impression that all US embassies were guarded by Marines.
And I agree: if we want intelligence, courage, and honor in our diplomatic postings, send vets. If they'd go. They may feel, as I do, that diplomacy is just saying "nice doggy" while you look around for a rock.
Isn’t that what Katie Couric said when asked to do assignments overseas?
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