No body wants to go to Iraq. poor babies! Did anyone give the troops the option?


WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday made a worldwide appeal for her diplomats to serve in Iraq following uproar over new rules forcing them to work in the war-torn nation or risk dismissal.

"The secretary is going to send out a cable worldwide to people talking about this decision as well as encouraging people to serve in Iraq," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

Rice's cable came after an emotional meeting in Washington late Wednesday between senior State Department officials and hundreds of diplomats on the new policy forcing them to serve in Iraq effective at end-November.


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I don't blame them. I hope they all revolt against going. I'm sure Rice will get them to come around. After all, she a big power broker with an excellent success rate.

If they do not go, Bush will just hire a private contractor to handle it, like everything else in his admin.

I have mixed emotions about this. On one hand, it could be seen as a protest, yet on the other they are in service to the country. thoughts?


This week's outburst by U.S. Foreign Service officers over the potential for forced deployments to Iraq, to make up for a shortage of volunteers, undoubtedly will be met with disdain from members of the Armed Services and some other civilian agencies of our government. The emotive response from the nation's diplomats, and the military's frustration over feeling very alone in this Long War, are symptoms, not causes, of a much deeper problem.

To recap: At a State Department town hall Wednesday, hundreds of diplomats cried foul over a new policy that could cost them their jobs if they turn down assignments in Baghdad or outlying provinces. "It's one thing if someone believes in what's going on over there and volunteers, but it's another thing to send someone over there on a forced assignment," declared one Foreign Service veteran. "I'm sorry, but basically that's a potential death sentence and you know it. Who will raise our children if we are dead or seriously wounded?"


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Well, I can see why they don't want to go. Diplomat service isn't quite like military service. As for serving our country, that is just a catch phrase. Patriotism only works with ribbons and flag waving. When there are real sacrifices to be made patriots get pretty scarce.

Whiners unite!


Washington bureaucrats are whining to beat the band. They are whining because they may be forced to serve in Baghdad because there is not enough volunteers. I say, F*ck 'em! The troops are sent and they may not want to go, but their country has need for them to do their job. Bureaucrats are no different! They are in service to the country and I understand their concern about dying, but the troops have the same concerns and they serve proudly. Stop being a coward! Do what you are paid to do!


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The battle is getting bitter.


WASHINGTON - 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.

The message, titled "A Letter From Iraq to My Overwrought Colleagues," accused opponents of being spoiled elitists whose revolt against so-called "directed assignments" is embarrassing.


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I have to wonder how effective these same diplomats can be if they are unhappy with their assignment?

I am sure that most of the troops are not real thrilled with their assignments and they still do a good job.