‘Special Report’ Panel on Uproar at the State Department
Fox News for complete article
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.
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.”
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.
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Hunter’s Press Release that tossed gas on the fire:
DUNCAN 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.”
Wild Thing’s comment……..
Yesterday Nick and I were talking about this and he said, they should send Veterans, soldiers that served in Iraq. They know Iraq now, they know the people, and how to deal with them.
Then when I just read this that Duncan Hunter said I agree. I see why it might be a great idea. I agree if we want intelligence, courage, and honor in our diplomatic postings, send vets.
The jerks with the State Dept. Firing them is also a great idea for any reason.
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?
I’m willing to bet Mr. Croddy’s political affiliation does not begin with an “R.”
Uproar at the State Department Regarding Baghdad Embassy
Where the hell is a General Patton type leader when they are needed? Come on Condi fire the whining bastards!!! JACK CRODDY lacks testicular fortitude. Doesn’t anyone have any accountability these days?
If it were any soldier making statements like that they’d have been brought up on charges of insubordination, tried and convicted, jailed and/or drummed out of the service dishonorably.
This is undoubtably the most spineless, gutless, pusillanimous administration in 40 years, full of UN sycophants and lying suckweasels.
Why not send a seasoned veteran who volunteers to go? They at the minimum know which end of a rifle is being pointed at them and they have the self discipline to handle any crisis with out cutting and running, plus they have acquired the personnel skills necessary. It doesn’t require an officer either, any one of our special forces noncommissioned officer’s is fully qualified.
“And then another thought—who will take care of our children? Who will raise our children if we are dead or seriously wounded?”
Who will take care of your children if you’re killed in an accident on the way to work?
I’ll tell you who will take care of your children if you die or are seriously wounded. It’s the same people I expected to take care of mine if I died while on active duty; my wife, family, and friends. They’re also the same people taking care of the children of fallen GI’s since our nation began. The only thing I expected from the government was the SGLI check and earned benefits for my wife and children.
Colin Powell messed up big time when he kept the Clinton holdovers in the State Department. As a general officer and commander, he knew better than to keep them.
Oh what a golden opportunity to clean out Foggy Bottom(State Dept). Fire all those who will not sign a form offering to serve in Iraq. Do to the State Dept diplomatic corps what Reagan did to PATCO. Sadly, Jorge Bush and Condi Rice are not of the take action mindset of Reagan They are of the compassionate Conservative mold.
In the place of these spineless diplomatic wogs, hire wounded vets, retired vets, Rolling Thunder members, PGR riders, Gold Star moms/dads.
Duncan Hunter has a great idea. Oh how I wish he and John Bolton were the Republican candidates for Prez/Vice-Prez.
In full agreement with everyone. This unfortunately does not surprise me. Sickens me, but does not surprise me.
Operative word here – oath. But apparently that means nothing to The Suits.
I think of the 19 year old soldier or the 23 year old Marine doing his or her duty no matter what, every day and night.
These “diplomats” aren’t fit to wipe their boots.
Fire ’em all!!!
Either go and do your job or there is the door. These pompos self-serving asses there good for nothing, they have been undermining the country for almost 8 years.
Hunter is right, Fire all their asses.
Those FSOs take an oath upon hiring, similar to the one that servicemen take. They specifically agree to be deployed anywhere in the world, as th President requires of them. Unlike servicemen, FSOs are very highly paid, and unlike servicemen, an FSO may resign his/her commision at any time.
I’m all in favor of replacing them with service personnel — the DoD has been doing State’s job in Iraq since the war started anyway. Having said that, I’m not sure how practical Hunter’s idea is. The diplomatic officers assigned to the Iraq embassy need to be able to get around a lot and travel to the various parts of the country to meet with different groups. Wounded servicemen may not be physically able to do that job. What I’d suggest is to recruit some of the mid-senior level officers who have already done a couple of tours of active duty in Iraq and are now retired.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “Send me”. I’ve got experience, drive, loyalty, motivation, etc. I need a job…since TXU Electric gave my job to India.
Jack I agree, they should be fired. Anyone complaining, saying no, should be fired.
This is so sickening to read about this.
Bob yes I agree!!
Powell knew better but I think he is more of a Dem then a Rep. and that influenced his decisions. He even said he would like to work for Gore if Gore became President and that was when Bush was running for President the first term.
Tom, exactly!
Bush and Condi will let it slide, I bet they aren’t even outraged about this, just perplexed and nothing more.
There are so many things this whole thing is saying about the people involved. Things about Honor, loyalty, duty.
Yankeemom you so right it is about Oath.
Mark they sure have, for almost 8 long hate filled years they have worked over time to undermine our country.
Cousin Dave, that is ok too. But for sure those making trouble now about going, gosh I hope they do fire them.
SSgt Steve, USMC, you would be awesome. To have you representing our country anywhere is such an honor.
Foreign Service Officers Don’t Want to Serve at Baghdad Embassy
Courage is a scarce commodity. It is so rare that we are finding ourselves with an under manned armed services these days and we have diplomats who don’t want to do their jobs because it might be dangerous. They haven’t minded …