About those diplomats ...

Some diplomats  are whining and crying because they don't want to go to Iraq.  This is their JOB, to go where they are sent.  Here's what some folks are saying:

Diplomats Who Refuse Assignments: “Hit The Road, You are Terminated with Prejudice and Without Pay”, By John E. Carey, Peace and Freedom, November 2, 2007

Members of America’s famously proud and elitist diplomatic corps have said they will not serve in Iraq or Afghanistan. We apparently now live in an America where an oath, a commitment, responsibility, the team and orders don’t count for a thing: even in wartime.

My response to the so called “diplomats” and such “public servants” is analogous to that of Ronald Reagan when air controllers who were Federal Government employees decided to go on strike. The President basically said: “You guys are all fired. Clean out your desks and lockers.”

There are times when the team is more important than the individual. There are times when an oath has meaning. Who are these bastard that think they are more important than our troops who are fighting and dying in war in behalf of all of us?  (continue reading)

A Diplomacy of Neighborhoods, Peace and Freedom II and Washington Times

Diplomats, pack your duffel bags.

And I mean duffel bags, not garment bags. While you’re at it, get a pair of boots. I also recommend several pairs of work gloves and work pants with lots of pockets for cameras, extra batteries, sunglasses and your global cell phone.

Twenty-first century diplomacy isn’t an office job. It is a demanding and, at times, a dangerous trade, one that requires accepting deprivation, running physical risks and hanging out in bad neighborhoods. If this echoes a field soldier’s job description, it’s not a coincidence.

Like it or not, the United States is engaged in a long war over the terms of modernity — will modernity be defined by tyrants, terrorists and religious extremists, or will democratic liberalism defeat them? In this war for wealth creation (economic development) and political maturation, diplomats and skilled civilian agency specialists are soldiers of a type, and to win it means “being out there” in the difficulties. (continue reading)

Victory in Iraq? The War Has Been Won, American Power:

It's been an interesting week for media coverage of Iraq. The good news keeps pouring in (see here and here, for example), and despite a tendency among some media outlets to portray stability in Iraq as a lull (see here and here), it's becoming increasingly clear that we've reached a turning point in the war.
In fact, Andrew Bolt, in an article syndicated from Australia's Daily Telegraph, agues the Iraq war's been won.  (continue reading)

Other reading:
Iran Suggests Arab Troops Replace U.S. In Iraq
 ACLU Disappointed in Congress for Promoting Teen Abstinence
Egypt seeks to head “Arab nuclear family”, Khaleej Times
Congress: derelict in their sworn duty

Comments

[Stormwarning]

PS: Seems I am wrong based on input from a close friend.

[The All-Wise Rastaman]

The diplomats did take an oath to go where they're told. I don't blame them for not wanting to go to Iraq. Hell is probably a better vacation spot. But go they must. However.... I do believe in protecting our diplomats and NOT sending them in harms way. Their job is to negotiate for us, not to fight for us. They're not soldiers. So bottom line is that while they're legally obligated to go to a dangerous post, it is morally wrong to send them there.

As to the war being won, I'll believe that when I see an end to the fighting. As long as the killing continues, it's still a war, I don't give a damn how anyone spins it.

Rasta
www.islamanazi.com

[Stormwarning]

I tend to agree with Incognito. The members of the U.S. Foreign Service are not combat trained nor is that their mission. However, when they sign up, it is understood that they can be sent anywhere at anytime to serve the diplomatic needs of the country.

From http://careers.state.gov/general/what-we-do.html
The U.S. Department of State uses diplomacy to promote and protect American interests. To achieve our mission, we:

* Manage diplomatic relations with other countries and international institutions
* Promote peace and stability in regions of vital interest
* Support U.S. businesses at home and abroad, acting as experts in host-country markets and business practices, and identifying opportunities for American firms
* Help developing nations establish stable economic environments
* Provide information and services for citizens traveling and living abroad, including issuing passports for U.S. citizens - more than seven million issues in 2000
* Issue visas for foreigners wishing to enter the United States

I can understand the position that they should go wherever asked...but a diplomat is not paid to get killed.

[Incognito]

I think I need to write a post about the Diplomats to set things straight.. rather just comment on other people's blog about the situation...my dad was a diplomat for 40 plus years..nothing proud or elite about being a Consul issuing visas to people.

Unlike soldiers, diplomats are not trained in combat, they have no skills whatsoever to survive in war zones... that's whay they close embassies and consulates... but, this has inspired me to post.. so... :-)