State Dept.: Go To Iraq Or You're Fired

Due To Lack Of Volunteers, State Department Ordering Some Employees To Baghdad Embassy

(CBS/AP)  The State Department said Friday it will require some diplomats to serve in Iraq because of a lack of volunteers willing to work at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Beginning Monday, 200 to 300 diplomats will be notified that they have been identified as “prime candidates” to fill 40 to 50 vacancies that will open next year at the embassy, said Harry Thomas, director general of the Foreign Service.

Those notified that they have been selected for a one-year posting will have 10 days to respond. Only those with compelling reasons, such as a medical condition, will be excused from duty, Thomas said.

He said those being sent to Iraq will receive extra pay and vacation time. About 50 diplomats will be needed in Iraq by January over the current level of 200.

However, those refusing Iraq duty may face disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for failing to uphold their oath to serve the United States and the Constitution, Thomas said.

“If someone decides that they do not want to go, we will then consider our options,” he told reporters in a conference call. “We have many options, including dismissal from the Foreign Service.”

All U.S. diplomats were being informed of the step in a cable from Thomas. The decision to move to so-called directed assignments is rare but not unprecedented.

In 1969, an entire class of entry-level diplomats was sent to serve in Vietnam, and on a smaller scale, diplomats were forcibly assigned to work at embassies in West Africa in the 1970s and 1980s.

In Other Developments:

U.S. forces will turn over security to Iraqi authorities in the southern Shiite province of Karbala on Monday, the American commander for the area said, despite fighting between rival militia factions that has killed dozens. Karbala will become only the eighth of Iraq's 18 provinces to
revert to Iraqi control, despite U.S. President George W. Bush's prediction in January that the Iraqi government would have responsibility for security in all of the provinces by November.

A bomb exploded Saturday in a predominantly Shiite area southeast of Baghdad, killing eight people and wounding 13 others, police and hospital officials said. The blast, which occurred at 7:30 a.m. in Jisr Diyala, targeted restaurants frequented by government employees and construction
workers. Two police officers and two women were among the wounded, the
officials said.

A U.S. soldier was killed and four were wounded in a roadside bombing in southern Baghdad, the military reported Friday. The unit was hit Thursday with an explosively formed penetrator, known as an EFP. The United States claims Iran supplies Shiite militants with the weapon, which fires an armor-piercing, fist-sized copper slug upon explosion. The victims' names were not released until family could be notified. At least 3,839 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

Fast Fact

Those refusing Iraq duty may face disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for failing to uphold their oath to serve the United States and the Constitution.

A team of specially trained investigators will hunker down in an Army office north of Detroit on Monday to begin poring over hundreds of Iraq war contracts in search of rigged awards. This team of 10 auditors, criminal investigators and acquisition experts are starting with a sampling of the roughly 6,000 contracts worth $2.8 billion issued by an Army office in Kuwait that service officials have identified as a hub of corruption. Based on what the team finds, the probe may expand and the number of Army military and civilian employees accused of accepting bribes and kickbacks could grow, U.S. officials said. Nearly two dozen have been charged so far.

An Iraqi prosecutor on Friday defended the death sentence ordered for a Saddam Hussein-era defense chief, saying Friday that the former general personally planned and supervised a military crackdown on minority Kurds that killed 180,000 people in the 1980s. Speaking in a television interview, Munqith al-Faroon rejected the argument put forward by Iraq's president and parliament speaker that Sultan Hashim al-Tai should be pardoned because he was only following orders under the threat of death from Saddam.

© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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by alphaa10-2009 October 26, 2007 9:19 PM PDT

CBS/AP reports, "A (US) team of specially trained investigators will ... search (for) rigged awards. This team of 10 auditors, criminal investigators and acquisition experts are starting with a sampling of the roughly 6,000 contracts worth $2.8 billion issued by an Army office in Kuwait that service officials have identified as a hub of corruption.

Based on what the team finds, the probe may expand and the number of Army military and civilian employees accused of accepting bribes and kickbacks could grow, U.S. officials said. Nearly two dozen have been charged so far..."
---
And some wonder why Iraq costs more than $2 billion weekly. Meanwhile, Bush worries insuring healthcare for nine million American kids is politically incorrect.

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by hungry1968 October 26, 2007 9:20 PM PDT

"The State Department said Friday it will require some diplomats to serve in Iraq because of a lack of volunteers willing to work at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad."

Geez - to read that, you would that the surge wasn''t working or something.




"However, those refusing Iraq duty may face disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for failing to uphold their oath to serve the United States and the Constitution, Thomas said."

What is Bush''s punishment for shredding the Constitution?

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by cmp271 October 26, 2007 9:43 PM PDT

If we have to force employees to go over there, they must know something the rest of us don''t! No one should be forced to go over there. Who does the State Department think they are? These people are not military, they are civilian employees!!! You can''t pay someone enough to put their life on the line. Money does not buy back your life. Have the military staff the embassy with their people!!

Sounds like if anyone is killed the family can sue the Government. The Government is admitting they would be at risk by forcing them to go there to begin with.

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by j-whitman October 26, 2007 9:44 PM PDT

DRAFTED --- HA

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by j-whitman October 26, 2007 9:55 PM PDT

Watch the Bush Lovers in the Foreign Service run to Canada

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by johnshaft4 October 26, 2007 9:59 PM PDT

They would rather be Hannah Montana roadies.
"You get the best of both worlds..."

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by walt1944-2009 October 26, 2007 10:13 PM PDT

Once again, the Great Emperor Bush is using his "muscle" to "convince" state department employees to serve in the embassy in Bagdad. Considering that the choices are either going to Bagdad and getting either killed or kidnapped (then beheaded!) or losing your job because you broke your oath to "the Great Emperor Bush" and living another day, I can just imagine what the overwhelming choice is going to be.

Prepare, everyone, the selective service is gearing up to begin drafting recruits for the military when the Great Emperor Bush invades Iran. The military had better hope that the Iranians don''t already have tactical nukes in place, like the Russians had in Cuba 45 years ago, just waiting for us stupid Americans to invade.

We won''t have to worry about global warming then. This planet will be one big red radioactive ball! Thank you very much Emperor George W Bush, VP Darth Vader Cheney,and every blasted Fascist neocon right-wing Republican on the planet!!!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

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by stevex47 October 26, 2007 10:28 PM PDT

This sounds like right out of nazi germany. Prison camp guards, etc. said they just did what they were told....or else.

Frightening. Lunacy. Un-fit to hold office lunacy.

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by iceman_1960 October 26, 2007 10:37 PM PDT

"The State Department said Friday it will require some diplomats to serve in Iraq because of a lack of volunteers willing to work at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad...those being sent to Iraq will receive extra pay and vacation time."

Isn"t Baghdad supposed to be safer than Washington D.C. ? Isn"t that what the pro-war cheerleaders keep saying ?

Why the reluctance to go there ?

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by iceman_1960 October 26, 2007 10:38 PM PDT

That huge U.S. Embassy in Baghdad might as well have a huge bulls-eye painted on it.

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by racam_us October 26, 2007 10:48 PM PDT

Since General BetrayUS said the environment is so safe over there why not let Bush, Cheney, and the rest of his administration go over there and set up a satellite White House and work from there? That would convince me that they are not a bunch of lying pigs. Bush is supposed to be such a cowboy that he could lead a column into battle and show us that he is not a coward like everyone seems to think he is. I bet Laura would be so proud of her ity-bity war monger.

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by October 26, 2007 11:13 PM PDT

Folks, the old argument - Why did we go into Iraq? The stated reason - WMD. We then gave Iraq months worth of warnings - We''re coming to get you. Think about it Libs, if you had a drug house and the city police were threatening for months on end that they would soon invade your home and discover all of your drugs, would you leave them there in your home to be found months later when the police followed through on their threats???

Think about it Libs. Saddam Insane both had and used WMD''s in the past. He killed a lot of Iraqis and Iranians with them - remember?

Think about it Libs, large convoys were seen going into Syria prior to our invasion and we know that large aircraft were flown into Syria. What to you think were in those shipments??? Think really hard now.

Consider this Libs, that we found large stock piles of chemicals used in the production of chemical weapons after invading Iraq. Why do you suppose they were there? Think really hard now.

Iraq had repeatedly violated UN sanctions(world god with a little g) and routinely fired on aircraft enforcing no-fly zones.

Think about it Libs, if there was no connection to Al Qaeda, why were Al Qaeda leaders found in Iraq and why is there an Al Qaeda in Iraq today???

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by ubrew12 October 26, 2007 11:15 PM PDT

Gee, where did all the well-connected sons and daughters of Republican donors go?

You know, the ones with a penchant for telling those turbin-heads that American democracy will flow just as soon as they kiss his/her a*s?

The ones described in the book ''Imperial Life in the Emerald City''?

Guess they''ve gone on to the next, best imposition of empire.

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by October 26, 2007 11:16 PM PDT

The truth of the matter is, intelligence communities from around the world agreed that Iraq had WMD. (So did the Libs at the time, but they''ve changed their minds as usual to suite the prevailing winds.) There was a real threat that Saddam Insane would use WMD to get back at the United States for stopping his invasion of Kuwait. This world menace needed to be dealt with. And Iran is not much different.

People, if we don''t set things right now, our children and grandchildren will have to deal with this. All of this Bush bashing and criticizing of the war reminds me of the early days of WWII when so many tried to appease Hitler and look the other way. Didn''t work, did it?

All of you folks claiming that this is Bush''s war are way off. We have been under steady attack for many years. The folks responsible won''t be satisfied until they rule the planet and kill you for disagreeing with whatever they say.

Far better to deal with the threats now. Iran has stated that it desires to eliminate Israel from the planet more than once. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues his pattern of contradicting himself in the same breath - a man ya can trust! Sure he doesn''t want nuclear weapons. Right, Right. Focus people. Heads out of the clouds please.

Let us not forget that 911 was a multi-national effort given birth in the middle east and slammed on our borders. Anyone that says we deserved it should get out now, cause you don''t belong here.

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by October 26, 2007 11:16 PM PDT

The Great Emperor Bush as you call him is actually a Great President and history will show this to be true. After the liberal media and left-wing Dems are finished all their huffing and puffing, time will show that the Great President Bush acted with much wisdom and did what was right even when most of the world lacked the backbone and judgment to do what was right.

Spin Doctors, spin away. The sanitation department stands by to clean up what you say!

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by kansas1946 October 26, 2007 11:17 PM PDT

(CBS/AP) The State Department said Friday it will require some diplomats to serve in Iraq because of a lack of volunteers willing to work at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
*********************
LOL. I think there will be a lot a vacancies at the state department. Anyone out there looking for a job, all travel expenses paid, hotel accomodations, per diem, sunny climate, lots of excitement, flack jackets provided?
Any Republicans out there still think this president is just peachy keen???

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by wogerwabbit October 26, 2007 11:18 PM PDT

"those refusing Iraq duty may face disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for failing to uphold their oath to serve the United States and the Constitution"

That is an interesting issue here. If this war is un-Constitutional, than it could be their right and their duty not to serve in Iraq as a matter of conscience, similar to the Lt. Watata thing.

Also, having taken the oath 3 times in my life, I believe (although I could be wrong) the oath is to defend the Constitution of the United States, not the United States itself as expressed here, which would imply a loyalty to this administrations criminal policies whether you believed in them or not.

Swearing allegiance to the Constitution precludes supporting a rogue government which subverts the Constitution. And, if you read your history, it is our honor bound duty, as citizens of this great country, to slay this beast that threatens to change America into its sinister image.

I fear for our country. Not because of the insane right wing lemmings that insist on vividly displaying their madness in forums such as this, but because of the left wings lack of focus to oppose these morons in a serious way. God help us.

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by ubrew12 October 26, 2007 11:20 PM PDT

pilgrimsprog said: "Think about it Libs, if there was no connection to Al Qaeda...why is there an Al Qaeda in Iraq today???"
Al-Qaeda wants chaos in the Middle-East, from which to effect a turn toward religious extremism. Some would say Christian Conservatives in America want the same thing here. In Iraq, we did their dirty work for them. Essentially, we made it easy for them to get a foothold there (remember, the rest of the Middle East has done quite well fighting Al-Qaeda without U.S. help because, at the end of the day, they just aren''t that popular).

That''s why they are in Iraq.

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by radiob-2009 October 26, 2007 11:23 PM PDT

However, those refusing Iraq duty may face disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for failing to uphold their oath to serve the United States and the Constitution, Thomas said.


We have a president and vice president that have not honored the Constitution. Simply Hillaryous, a obamanation.

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by kansas1946 October 26, 2007 11:24 PM PDT

Folks, the old argument - Why did we go into Iraq? The stated reason - WMD
*******************************

Anyone who still believes that is delusional. It is hard for some to believe that someone they voted for would lie to the American people to involve us in a quagmire where there is no way out. There were never any weapons that were a threat to the US. When Rush says, " BUT HE USED THEM ON HIS OWN PEOPLE!!" try and remember what he is talking about. GAS, GAS, GAS. Now do you think Saddam could have shot gas cannisters over here?? Please. Hundreds of countries have gas. Cheney and Rumsfeld wanted to go into Iraq because they are insane, and they used Bush as their puppet to get it done. No WMD''s, no Al Queda, no nuffin.

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by October 26, 2007 11:24 PM PDT

ubrew12 said, "Some would say Christian Conservatives in America want the same thing here."
This goes to show how little ubrew12 knows about Christian Conservatives. This is but a taste of what else he may have to say.

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by kansas1946 October 26, 2007 11:26 PM PDT

The Great Emperor Bush as you call him is actually a Great President and history will show this to be true.
********************************
LMAO. History will judge this the worst president in the history of the US, and that is saying something. Just curious. Why do you like this guy. I just can''t imagine.

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by October 26, 2007 11:27 PM PDT

"Now do you think Saddam could have shot gas cannisters over here??"

Do you think Saddam could have found someone willing to cross the Mexican border with them?

"Cheney and Rumsfeld wanted to go into Iraq because they are insane,"

Really sick people. Is that the best you can do?

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by October 26, 2007 11:29 PM PDT

What''s not to like? I certainly don''t buy into all the bashing and name calling from the popular media and left wing folks, do you?

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by ubrew12 October 26, 2007 11:29 PM PDT

pilgrimsprog said: "This goes to show how little ubrew12 knows about Christian Conservatives. " I''ve come to believe that fascists like pilgrimsprog create the conditions for their own furtherance. If this means chaos on the home front, so be it. There''s only one thing you can say about an administration that would take the national debt from 5 trillion to 9 trillion just 5 years away from the first of the boomer retirements (as SocSec imposition)... AND involve the country in two wars that will eventually cost $2.4 trillion (CBO estimate). And THAT is that he WANTS a fascist turnover in this country, he HATES what this country is about (''liberal democracy''), and he wants to force it into a bankrupt condition from which further forays into fascism would seem the only direction to go. And people like pilgrimsprog who support him similarly support our descent into Mussolini-style fascism, with all its morally and fiscally bankrupt policies. You can draw astonishing parallels between Italy in 1890-1930, and America in the last 30 years. And we all know what happened to Italy...

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by kansas1946 October 26, 2007 11:31 PM PDT

I fear for our country. Not because of the insane right wing lemmings that insist on vividly displaying their madness in forums such as this, but because of the left wings lack of focus to oppose these morons in a serious way. God help us.




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by WogerWabbit at 11:18 PM : Oct 26, 2007
********************************

Ain''t that the truth, wabbit. These f''n politicians are so worried about losing a vote that they will sell their soul and sell out their country, just for the only prize that is important, re-election. Makes me sick.
"What profit it a man if he gain the whole world, but looseth his soul?"

I think that comes from Baby Bush''s favorite book.

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by radiob-2009 October 26, 2007 11:32 PM PDT

And none of the 17 "lap poodles" are worth voting for. Draft your own candiate at Unity08.

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by October 26, 2007 11:34 PM PDT

Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and other societal interests subordinate to the interests of the state.

Nope, not me. I don''t believe this. Sorry ubrew12. You simply have no idea what a Christian Conservative is. Keep spinning....

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by kansas1946 October 26, 2007 11:36 PM PDT

What''''s not to like? I certainly don''''t buy into all the bashing and name calling from the popular media and left wing folks, do you?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bashing and name calling from the popular media? I haven''t seen the "popular" media calling anyone any names, unless you mean Rush or Hannity.
No, I do my own research. When a bunch of private FBI files on political enemies showed up in the Clinton WhiteHouse by "accident" I threw a fit, I never voted for Clinton. I have never been a Democrat. But I can tell you, that after all of the reading, reasearch, watching, and listening, this president has done such grave damage to our nation, to our constitution, to our global reputation, and to our military, that it will take decades to recover, if ever.

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by ubrew12 October 26, 2007 11:39 PM PDT

pilgrimsprog said: "Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and other societal interests subordinate to the interests of the state." Well, I think you just described the Bush admin.

The Nazi''s were Christians. Many of those they gassed were athiests.

The Francophiles were Christians. Many of those they bombed were athiests.

The Mussoliniites were Christians. Many of those they fought were atheists.

Being Christian doesn''t give you an immunity to the predations of fascism. When the money runs out, we''ll all be looking for a scapegoat. Iraq is a distraction the same way Ethiopia was for Mussolini.

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by October 26, 2007 11:44 PM PDT

Nazi''s did not practice Christianity though you may wish to believe this.

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by radiob-2009 October 26, 2007 11:49 PM PDT

Ubrew I have to correct your statement in regards to those groups actually being Christians, every action that they took went against the teachings of Christ. I myself although "knowledgeable" of Christianity do not consider myself a Christian. A few bad apples do not make the barrel of apples bad. This holds true for democrats and republicans and all other religions.
Our nation, post 9-11 hysteria went along with all of the idiocy of the Bush adminstration, the current congress was elected to stop the war and the erosion of civil rights. What have they done? Grandstanded to prop themselves up for the presidential election and congressional elections. Our nation needs a good old fashioned "tea party" and throw out 99% of all representives, replace them with statesman.

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by ubrew12 October 26, 2007 11:53 PM PDT

Christians aren''t fascists, its true. But they are strangely aided by fascist principles. When fascists raid the public piggy-bank, and blow the money on military buildups and overseas empire-building, the impoverished public increasingly turns to religion to treat the hurt. This swells the ranks of the church, and they conclude (rightly) that fascism has been good for religion. Only later, when fascism proves itself morally bankrupt(gassing non-believers) and fiscally bankrupt(raiding the coffers until nothings left) do church leaders begin to stir. Its too little to late. Bush is taking us down the road to fascism. He''s insuring we live in a dangerous world... he WANTS IT THAT WAY. He''s insuring we''re bankrupt and are dependent on corporate and government largess to stay alive. And the church, seeing their ranks swell with discouraged people, will, initially at least, think its just SWELL.

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by jerr11 October 26, 2007 11:55 PM PDT

Nazi''''s did not practice Christianity though you may wish to believe this.

Posted by pilgrimsprog at 11:44 PM : Oct 26, 2007


Neither do neocons.

They use Christianity for their political gain, because they know what a gullible lot these southern Christians are.

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by radiob-2009 October 27, 2007 12:01 AM PDT

We still live in a age in America where ordinary people want to "believe" and "trust" their leaders despite Nixon, despite Bush, and all of the other politicians that have squandered our trust. More and more I hear from all walks of life Realtors, bankers, fellow management of how little "faith" they have left in the "government". Their political ideologies vary and none are happy with the current field of candidates. Seeing them all as "corporate lapdogs" who have forgotten they are Americans first.

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by nolalou October 27, 2007 12:07 AM PDT

every singe diplomat should tell George Bush to go to H-ell! They should all quit if that is what it takes to get through to the IDIOT in the White House! I just hope this country can survive these criminals until January 2009!

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by radiob-2009 October 27, 2007 12:10 AM PDT

And the next "lap poodle" moves into the White House.
Continuing the policys that have taken this country towards the new world order. Sorry folks unless Gore or Hagel change their minds and decide to run, we will face another "lapdog" in the presidency.

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by feelfree1 October 27, 2007 1:09 AM PDT

I need a volunteer....YOU!!!!....

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by feelfree1 October 27, 2007 1:11 AM PDT

Attention all:

Don''t miss an opportunity to join countless others in denouncing the illegal, disgraceful, and self-defeating Bush wars of choice, and heinous criminal behavior of the regime!

A nationwide regional demonstration is coming to a city near you this Saturday, October 27.

Please join in support of this effort!

www.oct27.org

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by feelfree1 October 27, 2007 1:12 AM PDT

%u201CWhy we stand for immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq%u201D

%u201CTHE U.S. occupation of Iraq has not liberated the Iraqi people, but has made life worse for most Iraqis.%u201D

%u201CTens of thousands of U.S. service people have been killed or maimed, and hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis have lost their lives as a result of the U.S. invasion in 2003, the ongoing occupation, and the violence unleashed by them.%u201D

%u201CIraq''s infrastructure has been destroyed, and U.S. plans for reconstruction abandoned. There is less electricity, less clean drinking water, and more unemployment today than before the U.S. invasion.%u201D

%u201CAll of the justifications initially provided by the U.S. for waging war on Iraq have been exposed as lies; the real reasons for the invasion %u2014 to control Iraq''s oil reserves and to increase U.S. strategic influence in the region %u2014 now stand revealed.%u201D

%u201CThe Bush administration has insisted again and again that stability, democracy, and prosperity are around the next bend in the road%u2026But the U.S. has deliberately stoked sectarian divisions in its ongoing attempt to install a U.S.-friendly regime, thus driving Iraq towards civil war.%u201D

%u201CWe call on the U.S. to get out of Iraq %u2014 not in six months, not in a year, but now.%u201D

www.ipetitions.com/petition/OutNow

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by sendreidpelo October 27, 2007 1:44 AM PDT

They should send all of the Demoncrapic Presidential Candidates, the MoveOn.Org paid Non-serving Cowards and Traitors like the two Clintons, Boy Obama, Jimmy Carter Edwards, Dud, Byyourdeign, Ricardoson, et.al., plus Pelosi, Reid, KKK Byrd, Waxjerk, the drunk anti-Semite Moran, Dean and a few others who claim they "support" the troops.

And if Bimbo Val really did serve in the CIA, well, she wouldn''t mind a tour of duty. Maybe she could drag Pelosi, Hil the Shrew, and Cindy Sleazehand with her.

Time for the Nazis of the Left to take up service. In fact this is something Charley Mangle aka Rangel should tell little boy Obama he must do.

Tee Hee Hee Hee.

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by red164 October 27, 2007 2:21 AM PDT

The State Department said Friday it will require some diplomats to serve in Iraq

As reporters?

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by andrew_693 October 27, 2007 2:47 AM PDT

they should send any of the cowards posting things in favor of the war and bush, since they believe in the mission so much. This mission will be remembered as the biggest waste of money ever.

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by METAUSTIN October 27, 2007 3:01 AM PDT

What do you expect living in the Shrub''s fascist regime? The U.S. Constitution is gone and so is our freedom, not to mention rights as Americans!

The first to go should be Bill O''Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and Ann Coulter. They think Bush is so great, make them go over there! Send John McCain, Andrew Card, Condi Rice, Joe Lieberman, and a few more of his "sheeple" with big mouths.

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by tnt1954 October 27, 2007 4:13 AM PDT

it would be better to place them on news boards
or message boards, its how things are done now.
never in person. its all virtual diplomacy now.
the democratic world wide web and commentary
is more important to what is decided than
what is said ''in private''. for what is private
is more public, than you realize. there is a massive
link up, many state dept. employees don''t realize.
diplomacy from afar, is much kinder and gentler
and safer. operation infinite mercy is more
important than operation infinite justice.
rice thrown at rita cosby''s marriage to fidel
castro not withstanding. what kinda rice
do you like? wild rice? uncle ben''s? see diplomacy
can get hard, things do get misinterpreted.
sometimes. yahoo comment boards kept more
peace than you. yoo hoo.

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by brianbwb-2009 October 27, 2007 4:30 AM PDT

Posted by SendReidPelo

Wouldn''t it be more logical to send those who, like yourself, support the occupation over there to manage it? Or are you admitting that the antiwar people were correct from the start after all, and Iraq has, as they predicted, been turned into a mess that guarantees death to any outsiders, and so propose to send people whose political views are opposite yours to be killed there?

What happened to "Bush is winning the war in Iraq"?

Your obnoxious trolling has reached the point where you are directly contradicting yourself, just so you can spew more ignorance.

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by watcher269-2009 October 27, 2007 4:35 AM PDT

Put all the republican war mongers on the list to go - maybe they will think twice before starting another illegal war! Send Cheney/Bushit and Willy the Bloody Krystol and all the other too chicken *** to serve US representatives to go and "Defend our Country and To Serve this Country". You voted for it - go serve for it!

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by iceman_1960 October 27, 2007 5:05 AM PDT

"The Great Emperor Bush as you call him is actually a Great President and history will show this to be true."
- Posted by pilgrimsprog at 11:16 PM : Oct 26, 2007

A lot of wishful thinking there.

History will put Jerry Ford and Jimmy Carter on pedestals long before it has a kind word to say for Dubya.

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by ramos937 October 27, 2007 5:17 AM PDT

A suggestion - Only send those diplomats that think Iraq is worthwhile. Others would only be deadweight and just do as little as possible to serve out their tour. The latter would be a negative force for us in Iraq. This assumes that the former live past their tour.

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by frankly6 October 27, 2007 5:18 AM PDT

Aren''t all these diplomats Republican Bush appointees? I guess their really showing how they feel about risking their own lives in Iraq vs. risking the lives of others.

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[alphaa10-2009]

CBS/AP reports, "A (US) team of specially trained investigators will ... search (for) rigged awards. This team of 10 auditors, criminal investigators and acquisition experts are starting with a sampling of the roughly 6,000 contracts worth $2.8 billion issued by an Army office in Kuwait that service officials have identified as a hub of corruption.

Based on what the team finds, the probe may expand and the number of Army military and civilian employees accused of accepting bribes and kickbacks could grow, U.S. officials said. Nearly two dozen have been charged so far..."
---
And some wonder why Iraq costs more than $2 billion weekly. Meanwhile, Bush worries insuring healthcare for nine million American kids is politically incorrect.

[hungry1968]

"The State Department said Friday it will require some diplomats to serve in Iraq because of a lack of volunteers willing to work at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad."

Geez - to read that, you would that the surge wasn''t working or something.




"However, those refusing Iraq duty may face disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for failing to uphold their oath to serve the United States and the Constitution, Thomas said."

What is Bush''s punishment for shredding the Constitution?

[cmp271]

If we have to force employees to go over there, they must know something the rest of us don''t! No one should be forced to go over there. Who does the State Department think they are? These people are not military, they are civilian employees!!! You can''t pay someone enough to put their life on the line. Money does not buy back your life. Have the military staff the embassy with their people!!

Sounds like if anyone is killed the family can sue the Government. The Government is admitting they would be at risk by forcing them to go there to begin with.

[j-whitman]

DRAFTED --- HA

[j-whitman]

Watch the Bush Lovers in the Foreign Service run to Canada

[johnshaft4]

They would rather be Hannah Montana roadies.
"You get the best of both worlds..."

[walt1944-2009]

Once again, the Great Emperor Bush is using his "muscle" to "convince" state department employees to serve in the embassy in Bagdad. Considering that the choices are either going to Bagdad and getting either killed or kidnapped (then beheaded!) or losing your job because you broke your oath to "the Great Emperor Bush" and living another day, I can just imagine what the overwhelming choice is going to be.

Prepare, everyone, the selective service is gearing up to begin drafting recruits for the military when the Great Emperor Bush invades Iran. The military had better hope that the Iranians don''t already have tactical nukes in place, like the Russians had in Cuba 45 years ago, just waiting for us stupid Americans to invade.

We won''t have to worry about global warming then. This planet will be one big red radioactive ball! Thank you very much Emperor George W Bush, VP Darth Vader Cheney,and every blasted Fascist neocon right-wing Republican on the planet!!!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!

[stevex47]

This sounds like right out of nazi germany. Prison camp guards, etc. said they just did what they were told....or else.

Frightening. Lunacy. Un-fit to hold office lunacy.

[iceman_1960]

"The State Department said Friday it will require some diplomats to serve in Iraq because of a lack of volunteers willing to work at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad...those being sent to Iraq will receive extra pay and vacation time."

Isn"t Baghdad supposed to be safer than Washington D.C. ? Isn"t that what the pro-war cheerleaders keep saying ?

Why the reluctance to go there ?

[iceman_1960]

That huge U.S. Embassy in Baghdad might as well have a huge bulls-eye painted on it.

[racam_us]

Since General BetrayUS said the environment is so safe over there why not let Bush, Cheney, and the rest of his administration go over there and set up a satellite White House and work from there? That would convince me that they are not a bunch of lying pigs. Bush is supposed to be such a cowboy that he could lead a column into battle and show us that he is not a coward like everyone seems to think he is. I bet Laura would be so proud of her ity-bity war monger.

Folks, the old argument - Why did we go into Iraq? The stated reason - WMD. We then gave Iraq months worth of warnings - We''re coming to get you. Think about it Libs, if you had a drug house and the city police were threatening for months on end that they would soon invade your home and discover all of your drugs, would you leave them there in your home to be found months later when the police followed through on their threats???

Think about it Libs. Saddam Insane both had and used WMD''s in the past. He killed a lot of Iraqis and Iranians with them - remember?

Think about it Libs, large convoys were seen going into Syria prior to our invasion and we know that large aircraft were flown into Syria. What to you think were in those shipments??? Think really hard now.

Consider this Libs, that we found large stock piles of chemicals used in the production of chemical weapons after invading Iraq. Why do you suppose they were there? Think really hard now.

Iraq had repeatedly violated UN sanctions(world god with a little g) and routinely fired on aircraft enforcing no-fly zones.

Think about it Libs, if there was no connection to Al Qaeda, why were Al Qaeda leaders found in Iraq and why is there an Al Qaeda in Iraq today???

[ubrew12]

Gee, where did all the well-connected sons and daughters of Republican donors go?

You know, the ones with a penchant for telling those turbin-heads that American democracy will flow just as soon as they kiss his/her a*s?

The ones described in the book ''Imperial Life in the Emerald City''?

Guess they''ve gone on to the next, best imposition of empire.

The truth of the matter is, intelligence communities from around the world agreed that Iraq had WMD. (So did the Libs at the time, but they''ve changed their minds as usual to suite the prevailing winds.) There was a real threat that Saddam Insane would use WMD to get back at the United States for stopping his invasion of Kuwait. This world menace needed to be dealt with. And Iran is not much different.

People, if we don''t set things right now, our children and grandchildren will have to deal with this. All of this Bush bashing and criticizing of the war reminds me of the early days of WWII when so many tried to appease Hitler and look the other way. Didn''t work, did it?

All of you folks claiming that this is Bush''s war are way off. We have been under steady attack for many years. The folks responsible won''t be satisfied until they rule the planet and kill you for disagreeing with whatever they say.

Far better to deal with the threats now. Iran has stated that it desires to eliminate Israel from the planet more than once. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues his pattern of contradicting himself in the same breath - a man ya can trust! Sure he doesn''t want nuclear weapons. Right, Right. Focus people. Heads out of the clouds please.

Let us not forget that 911 was a multi-national effort given birth in the middle east and slammed on our borders. Anyone that says we deserved it should get out now, cause you don''t belong here.

The Great Emperor Bush as you call him is actually a Great President and history will show this to be true. After the liberal media and left-wing Dems are finished all their huffing and puffing, time will show that the Great President Bush acted with much wisdom and did what was right even when most of the world lacked the backbone and judgment to do what was right.

Spin Doctors, spin away. The sanitation department stands by to clean up what you say!

[kansas1946]

(CBS/AP) The State Department said Friday it will require some diplomats to serve in Iraq because of a lack of volunteers willing to work at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
*********************
LOL. I think there will be a lot a vacancies at the state department. Anyone out there looking for a job, all travel expenses paid, hotel accomodations, per diem, sunny climate, lots of excitement, flack jackets provided?
Any Republicans out there still think this president is just peachy keen???

[wogerwabbit]

"those refusing Iraq duty may face disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for failing to uphold their oath to serve the United States and the Constitution"

That is an interesting issue here. If this war is un-Constitutional, than it could be their right and their duty not to serve in Iraq as a matter of conscience, similar to the Lt. Watata thing.

Also, having taken the oath 3 times in my life, I believe (although I could be wrong) the oath is to defend the Constitution of the United States, not the United States itself as expressed here, which would imply a loyalty to this administrations criminal policies whether you believed in them or not.

Swearing allegiance to the Constitution precludes supporting a rogue government which subverts the Constitution. And, if you read your history, it is our honor bound duty, as citizens of this great country, to slay this beast that threatens to change America into its sinister image.

I fear for our country. Not because of the insane right wing lemmings that insist on vividly displaying their madness in forums such as this, but because of the left wings lack of focus to oppose these morons in a serious way. God help us.

[ubrew12]

pilgrimsprog said: "Think about it Libs, if there was no connection to Al Qaeda...why is there an Al Qaeda in Iraq today???"
Al-Qaeda wants chaos in the Middle-East, from which to effect a turn toward religious extremism. Some would say Christian Conservatives in America want the same thing here. In Iraq, we did their dirty work for them. Essentially, we made it easy for them to get a foothold there (remember, the rest of the Middle East has done quite well fighting Al-Qaeda without U.S. help because, at the end of the day, they just aren''t that popular).

That''s why they are in Iraq.

[radiob-2009]

However, those refusing Iraq duty may face disciplinary action up to and including dismissal for failing to uphold their oath to serve the United States and the Constitution, Thomas said.


We have a president and vice president that have not honored the Constitution. Simply Hillaryous, a obamanation.

[kansas1946]

Folks, the old argument - Why did we go into Iraq? The stated reason - WMD
*******************************

Anyone who still believes that is delusional. It is hard for some to believe that someone they voted for would lie to the American people to involve us in a quagmire where there is no way out. There were never any weapons that were a threat to the US. When Rush says, " BUT HE USED THEM ON HIS OWN PEOPLE!!" try and remember what he is talking about. GAS, GAS, GAS. Now do you think Saddam could have shot gas cannisters over here?? Please. Hundreds of countries have gas. Cheney and Rumsfeld wanted to go into Iraq because they are insane, and they used Bush as their puppet to get it done. No WMD''s, no Al Queda, no nuffin.

ubrew12 said, "Some would say Christian Conservatives in America want the same thing here."
This goes to show how little ubrew12 knows about Christian Conservatives. This is but a taste of what else he may have to say.

[kansas1946]

The Great Emperor Bush as you call him is actually a Great President and history will show this to be true.
********************************
LMAO. History will judge this the worst president in the history of the US, and that is saying something. Just curious. Why do you like this guy. I just can''t imagine.

"Now do you think Saddam could have shot gas cannisters over here??"

Do you think Saddam could have found someone willing to cross the Mexican border with them?

"Cheney and Rumsfeld wanted to go into Iraq because they are insane,"

Really sick people. Is that the best you can do?

What''s not to like? I certainly don''t buy into all the bashing and name calling from the popular media and left wing folks, do you?

[ubrew12]

pilgrimsprog said: "This goes to show how little ubrew12 knows about Christian Conservatives. " I''ve come to believe that fascists like pilgrimsprog create the conditions for their own furtherance. If this means chaos on the home front, so be it. There''s only one thing you can say about an administration that would take the national debt from 5 trillion to 9 trillion just 5 years away from the first of the boomer retirements (as SocSec imposition)... AND involve the country in two wars that will eventually cost $2.4 trillion (CBO estimate). And THAT is that he WANTS a fascist turnover in this country, he HATES what this country is about (''liberal democracy''), and he wants to force it into a bankrupt condition from which further forays into fascism would seem the only direction to go. And people like pilgrimsprog who support him similarly support our descent into Mussolini-style fascism, with all its morally and fiscally bankrupt policies. You can draw astonishing parallels between Italy in 1890-1930, and America in the last 30 years. And we all know what happened to Italy...

[kansas1946]

I fear for our country. Not because of the insane right wing lemmings that insist on vividly displaying their madness in forums such as this, but because of the left wings lack of focus to oppose these morons in a serious way. God help us.




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by WogerWabbit at 11:18 PM : Oct 26, 2007
********************************

Ain''t that the truth, wabbit. These f''n politicians are so worried about losing a vote that they will sell their soul and sell out their country, just for the only prize that is important, re-election. Makes me sick.
"What profit it a man if he gain the whole world, but looseth his soul?"

I think that comes from Baby Bush''s favorite book.

[radiob-2009]

And none of the 17 "lap poodles" are worth voting for. Draft your own candiate at Unity08.

Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and other societal interests subordinate to the interests of the state.

Nope, not me. I don''t believe this. Sorry ubrew12. You simply have no idea what a Christian Conservative is. Keep spinning....

[kansas1946]

What''''s not to like? I certainly don''''t buy into all the bashing and name calling from the popular media and left wing folks, do you?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bashing and name calling from the popular media? I haven''t seen the "popular" media calling anyone any names, unless you mean Rush or Hannity.
No, I do my own research. When a bunch of private FBI files on political enemies showed up in the Clinton WhiteHouse by "accident" I threw a fit, I never voted for Clinton. I have never been a Democrat. But I can tell you, that after all of the reading, reasearch, watching, and listening, this president has done such grave damage to our nation, to our constitution, to our global reputation, and to our military, that it will take decades to recover, if ever.

[ubrew12]

pilgrimsprog said: "Fascism is an authoritarian political ideology (generally tied to a mass movement) that considers individual and other societal interests subordinate to the interests of the state." Well, I think you just described the Bush admin.

The Nazi''s were Christians. Many of those they gassed were athiests.

The Francophiles were Christians. Many of those they bombed were athiests.

The Mussoliniites were Christians. Many of those they fought were atheists.

Being Christian doesn''t give you an immunity to the predations of fascism. When the money runs out, we''ll all be looking for a scapegoat. Iraq is a distraction the same way Ethiopia was for Mussolini.

Nazi''s did not practice Christianity though you may wish to believe this.

[radiob-2009]

Ubrew I have to correct your statement in regards to those groups actually being Christians, every action that they took went against the teachings of Christ. I myself although "knowledgeable" of Christianity do not consider myself a Christian. A few bad apples do not make the barrel of apples bad. This holds true for democrats and republicans and all other religions.
Our nation, post 9-11 hysteria went along with all of the idiocy of the Bush adminstration, the current congress was elected to stop the war and the erosion of civil rights. What have they done? Grandstanded to prop themselves up for the presidential election and congressional elections. Our nation needs a good old fashioned "tea party" and throw out 99% of all representives, replace them with statesman.

[ubrew12]

Christians aren''t fascists, its true. But they are strangely aided by fascist principles. When fascists raid the public piggy-bank, and blow the money on military buildups and overseas empire-building, the impoverished public increasingly turns to religion to treat the hurt. This swells the ranks of the church, and they conclude (rightly) that fascism has been good for religion. Only later, when fascism proves itself morally bankrupt(gassing non-believers) and fiscally bankrupt(raiding the coffers until nothings left) do church leaders begin to stir. Its too little to late. Bush is taking us down the road to fascism. He''s insuring we live in a dangerous world... he WANTS IT THAT WAY. He''s insuring we''re bankrupt and are dependent on corporate and government largess to stay alive. And the church, seeing their ranks swell with discouraged people, will, initially at least, think its just SWELL.

[jerr11]

Nazi''''s did not practice Christianity though you may wish to believe this.

Posted by pilgrimsprog at 11:44 PM : Oct 26, 2007


Neither do neocons.

They use Christianity for their political gain, because they know what a gullible lot these southern Christians are.

[radiob-2009]

We still live in a age in America where ordinary people want to "believe" and "trust" their leaders despite Nixon, despite Bush, and all of the other politicians that have squandered our trust. More and more I hear from all walks of life Realtors, bankers, fellow management of how little "faith" they have left in the "government". Their political ideologies vary and none are happy with the current field of candidates. Seeing them all as "corporate lapdogs" who have forgotten they are Americans first.

[nolalou]

every singe diplomat should tell George Bush to go to H-ell! They should all quit if that is what it takes to get through to the IDIOT in the White House! I just hope this country can survive these criminals until January 2009!

[radiob-2009]

And the next "lap poodle" moves into the White House.
Continuing the policys that have taken this country towards the new world order. Sorry folks unless Gore or Hagel change their minds and decide to run, we will face another "lapdog" in the presidency.

[feelfree1]

I need a volunteer....YOU!!!!....

[feelfree1]

Attention all:

Don''t miss an opportunity to join countless others in denouncing the illegal, disgraceful, and self-defeating Bush wars of choice, and heinous criminal behavior of the regime!

A nationwide regional demonstration is coming to a city near you this Saturday, October 27.

Please join in support of this effort!

www.oct27.org

[feelfree1]

%u201CWhy we stand for immediate withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq%u201D

%u201CTHE U.S. occupation of Iraq has not liberated the Iraqi people, but has made life worse for most Iraqis.%u201D

%u201CTens of thousands of U.S. service people have been killed or maimed, and hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis have lost their lives as a result of the U.S. invasion in 2003, the ongoing occupation, and the violence unleashed by them.%u201D

%u201CIraq''s infrastructure has been destroyed, and U.S. plans for reconstruction abandoned. There is less electricity, less clean drinking water, and more unemployment today than before the U.S. invasion.%u201D

%u201CAll of the justifications initially provided by the U.S. for waging war on Iraq have been exposed as lies; the real reasons for the invasion %u2014 to control Iraq''s oil reserves and to increase U.S. strategic influence in the region %u2014 now stand revealed.%u201D

%u201CThe Bush administration has insisted again and again that stability, democracy, and prosperity are around the next bend in the road%u2026But the U.S. has deliberately stoked sectarian divisions in its ongoing attempt to install a U.S.-friendly regime, thus driving Iraq towards civil war.%u201D

%u201CWe call on the U.S. to get out of Iraq %u2014 not in six months, not in a year, but now.%u201D

www.ipetitions.com/petition/OutNow

[sendreidpelo]

They should send all of the Demoncrapic Presidential Candidates, the MoveOn.Org paid Non-serving Cowards and Traitors like the two Clintons, Boy Obama, Jimmy Carter Edwards, Dud, Byyourdeign, Ricardoson, et.al., plus Pelosi, Reid, KKK Byrd, Waxjerk, the drunk anti-Semite Moran, Dean and a few others who claim they "support" the troops.

And if Bimbo Val really did serve in the CIA, well, she wouldn''t mind a tour of duty. Maybe she could drag Pelosi, Hil the Shrew, and Cindy Sleazehand with her.

Time for the Nazis of the Left to take up service. In fact this is something Charley Mangle aka Rangel should tell little boy Obama he must do.

Tee Hee Hee Hee.

[red164]

The State Department said Friday it will require some diplomats to serve in Iraq

As reporters?

[andrew_693]

they should send any of the cowards posting things in favor of the war and bush, since they believe in the mission so much. This mission will be remembered as the biggest waste of money ever.

[METAUSTIN]

What do you expect living in the Shrub''s fascist regime? The U.S. Constitution is gone and so is our freedom, not to mention rights as Americans!

The first to go should be Bill O''Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, and Ann Coulter. They think Bush is so great, make them go over there! Send John McCain, Andrew Card, Condi Rice, Joe Lieberman, and a few more of his "sheeple" with big mouths.

[tnt1954]

it would be better to place them on news boards
or message boards, its how things are done now.
never in person. its all virtual diplomacy now.
the democratic world wide web and commentary
is more important to what is decided than
what is said ''in private''. for what is private
is more public, than you realize. there is a massive
link up, many state dept. employees don''t realize.
diplomacy from afar, is much kinder and gentler
and safer. operation infinite mercy is more
important than operation infinite justice.
rice thrown at rita cosby''s marriage to fidel
castro not withstanding. what kinda rice
do you like? wild rice? uncle ben''s? see diplomacy
can get hard, things do get misinterpreted.
sometimes. yahoo comment boards kept more
peace than you. yoo hoo.

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by SendReidPelo

Wouldn''t it be more logical to send those who, like yourself, support the occupation over there to manage it? Or are you admitting that the antiwar people were correct from the start after all, and Iraq has, as they predicted, been turned into a mess that guarantees death to any outsiders, and so propose to send people whose political views are opposite yours to be killed there?

What happened to "Bush is winning the war in Iraq"?

Your obnoxious trolling has reached the point where you are directly contradicting yourself, just so you can spew more ignorance.

[watcher269-2009]

Put all the republican war mongers on the list to go - maybe they will think twice before starting another illegal war! Send Cheney/Bushit and Willy the Bloody Krystol and all the other too chicken *** to serve US representatives to go and "Defend our Country and To Serve this Country". You voted for it - go serve for it!

[iceman_1960]

"The Great Emperor Bush as you call him is actually a Great President and history will show this to be true."
- Posted by pilgrimsprog at 11:16 PM : Oct 26, 2007

A lot of wishful thinking there.

History will put Jerry Ford and Jimmy Carter on pedestals long before it has a kind word to say for Dubya.

[ramos937]

A suggestion - Only send those diplomats that think Iraq is worthwhile. Others would only be deadweight and just do as little as possible to serve out their tour. The latter would be a negative force for us in Iraq. This assumes that the former live past their tour.

[frankly6]

Aren''t all these diplomats Republican Bush appointees? I guess their really showing how they feel about risking their own lives in Iraq vs. risking the lives of others.