A recent “town hall” meeting called to allow foreign service employees an opportunity to discuss so-called “forced” assignments to the embassy in Iraq confirmed what I long suspected about the State Department. Jack Croddy, an undistinguished career officer opposed to the “must fill” order for postings to Baghdad whined, “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.” He continued to wail, “And then another thought—who will take care of our children? Who will raise our children if we...
