The other day we reported on the Sate Department Draft for personnel for Iraq. Well the State Department folks are not happy campers.
New Iraq policy prompts angry words at the State Department
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Calling it "a potential death sentence," several hundred diplomats expressed their resentment Wednesday over a new State Department policy that could force them to serve in Iraq or risk losing their jobs.Steve Soto sums it up pretty well:
Some at the hourlong town hall-style meeting questioned why they were not told of the policy change directly, learning about it instead from news organizations last week.
Others pointed out the risks of such a rule, considering the dangers of a war zone, lack of security and regular rocket attacks on U.S. personnel.
One State Department worker complained she was not provided medical treatment for her post-traumatic stress disorder after she voluntarily served in Iraq.
The session was marked by angry exchanges, according to an audio recording of the meeting held at the State Department.
The sharpest comments came from Jack Croddy, a 36-year veteran of the Foreign Service.
To loud applause from his fellow workers, he asked how the State Department could protect people in Baghdad or the Iraq countryside when "incoming is coming in every day. Rockets are hitting the Green Zone."
The State Department’s diplomatic corps is unraveling under Condi’s new-shoed feet, after members of Foggy Bottom’s foreign services found out from the news media over the weekend that they were being involuntarily directed to serve in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq. Why the forced transfers? Because the professionals in State don’t want to serve in a danger zone like Iraq under the Bush political hacks.
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First, Cheney destroyed the Agency. Then Alberto destroyed the Department of Justice. Now Condi and Bush’s foreign policy are destroying State. If no one but the young snot-nosed lunatic fringe are left to advocate for this country overseas, you can imagine how easy it will be to fall into the next foreign policy catastrophe.
