Diplomats In Fight For Freedom

A few days ago I posted an item about American diplomats (State Department Employees) being told that there were too few diplomats volunteering to go to Iraq, so that State Department was going to force some of them to go. It was a sort of "draft" for non-combatant employees.

At the time of that post, I noted that there was a protest going on by the State Department folks and that, when I found a source regarding the situation, I would post it here. Well, Wonkette had a few choice words about the situation - and a link or two to some news articles about the flap. Click the link for more.

The biggest complaints diplomats have about the U.S. Embassy in Iraq is that, well, people tend to shoot at it. In fact, they’re always shooting at things in Iraq. Everywhere! And of course, this makes for some saaaad pandas:

One woman said she returned from a tour in Basra with post-traumatic stress disorder only to find that the State Department would not authorize medical treatment.

Boo-freaking-hoo, lady. “Ooh, look at me, I saw a man get shot and stuff and… and… it was all weird, I’m a little baby, wah wah wah!” Get over it! Go and serve your country already, like I do every day by making fun of it on the Internet.

Drafting Diplomats

I don't have a news source on the follow up to the clip below, but there is a major revolt going on in D.C. over this. When I find a good source, I'll post the follow-up in this blog.

From Daily Kos - click the link to read more.

For some reason the State Department is having trouble finding volunteers to work in Iraq, so for the first time since the Vietnam War: ...200 to 300 employees will be notified of their selection as "prime candidates" for 50 open positions in Iraq...However, if an insufficient number volunteers by Nov. 12, a department panel will determine which ones will be ordered to report to the Baghdad embassy next summer.

Those who receive the selection letters will have 10 days to file a written notice of objection. The review panel will consider the objections, but Thomas made clear that a serious, documented medical condition is likely to be the only valid excuse. The department has the authority to fire anyone who refuses to accept an assignment.