Comments on: The culture of U.S diplomatic service failed to stop the terrorist attack http://www.bloggernews.net/123454 High-quality English language analysis and editorial writing on the news. Sun, 27 May 2012 16:48:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: dip http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1518684 dip Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:40:40 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1518684 One should be aware of the fact that not all US diplomats are so-called "foreign service officers". More and more of them are assigned under alternate personnel designations within the Civil Service, of which the Foreign Service is just one part. There is a labor union known as "AFSA" bent on creating the impression that only "foreign service officers" are qualified to serve on diplomatic assignments. They even have gone so far as to petition the Secretary to curtail appointments of qualified diplomats simply because they had served under non "foreign service" systems. So please do not lump all U.S. diplomats under the designation of "foreign service officers". One should be aware of the fact that not all US diplomats are so-called “foreign service officers”. More and more of them are assigned under alternate personnel designations within the Civil Service, of which the Foreign Service is just one part. There is a labor union known as “AFSA” bent on creating the impression that only “foreign service officers” are qualified to serve on diplomatic assignments. They even have gone so far as to petition the Secretary to curtail appointments of qualified diplomats simply because they had served under non “foreign service” systems. So please do not lump all U.S. diplomats under the designation of “foreign service officers”.

]]> By: Nomadness http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1492894 Nomadness Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:28:50 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1492894 Its important to do away with the misconception of Foreign Service Officers as having pampered lifestyles overseas. Most U.S. diplomats serve in hardship posts where crime, disease, pollution, terrorism (or all of the above) are problems. Schools and medical services are often inadequate for families. Once reference I recommend to the blogger is the book: Inside a U.S. Embassy: How the Foreign Service Works for America. http://www.afsa.org/inside/ Its important to do away with the misconception of Foreign Service Officers as having pampered lifestyles overseas. Most U.S. diplomats serve in hardship posts where crime, disease, pollution, terrorism (or all of the above) are problems. Schools and medical services are often inadequate for families. Once reference I recommend to the blogger is the book: Inside a U.S. Embassy: How the Foreign Service Works for America.
http://www.afsa.org/inside/

]]> By: Living_in_the_real_world http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1484423 Living_in_the_real_world Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:05:32 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1484423 The number of anonymous and family based accusations reported at Embassies and Consulates around the world would be impossible to calculate. While many of these accusations are rooted in familial problems or jealous issues, the accusers know that saying the magic word "terrorist" gets the government' attention and that all of the officers involved pay attention and respond with an abundance of concern and caution. To think that revoking a visa any time someone makes any sort of accusation against an individuals shows this blogger's lack of interest in justice and inability to grasp the realities of the real world that visa officers face. To state that visa officers are not 100% committed to protecting the United States against all threats, be they national security related or illegal immigration concernsc shows this blogger's lack of acquaintance with any visa officers. And to state that Foreign Service Officers are highly paid, when many of them take pay cuts in order to enter the Foreign Service in order to serve their country, is dishonest and reprehensible. The number of anonymous and family based accusations reported at Embassies and Consulates around the world would be impossible to calculate. While many of these accusations are rooted in familial problems or jealous issues, the accusers know that saying the magic word “terrorist” gets the government’ attention and that all of the officers involved pay attention and respond with an abundance of concern and caution. To think that revoking a visa any time someone makes any sort of accusation against an individuals shows this blogger’s lack of interest in justice and inability to grasp the realities of the real world that visa officers face. To state that visa officers are not 100% committed to protecting the United States against all threats, be they national security related or illegal immigration concernsc shows this blogger’s lack of acquaintance with any visa officers. And to state that Foreign Service Officers are highly paid, when many of them take pay cuts in order to enter the Foreign Service in order to serve their country, is dishonest and reprehensible.

]]> By: Disgusted http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1484008 Disgusted Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:05:40 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1484008 "Tea and crumpet pin-stripers?" In 30 yrs at the State Dept. I served with about a dozen individuals who lost their lives in the line of duty - in bombings, targeted assassinations (in one instance) and attacks on embassies. While the common perception is that State Dept. officers spend their time sipping tea in Paris, London and Rome, the overwhelming majority of Dept. officers and staff spend time trying to maintain diplomatic relations in difficult, hostile environments. An example: Embassy in Chad has been evacuated twice in the last 18 mons. because of rebel attacks on the capital. An RPG accidently hit the embassy and by a miracle did not go off, otherwise many would have died. We have had people working around the clock in disasters, such as the tsunami in SE Asia, etc., etc. More and more embassies are unaccompanied postings, which means our people go and spend a year or more without their families, with minimal personal effects and in very difficult conditions. An unsung story is the story of hundreds of Foreign Service personnel who have served in Provincial Reconstruction Teams all over Iraq and Afghanistan, on the front line, trying to help rebuild those countries, but without carrying guns or other weapons. I am disgusted with the ignorant comments based on outdated perceptions half a century out of date... “Tea and crumpet pin-stripers?” In 30 yrs at the State Dept. I served with about a dozen individuals who lost their lives in the line of duty - in bombings, targeted assassinations (in one instance) and attacks on embassies. While the common perception is that State Dept. officers spend their time sipping tea in Paris, London and Rome, the overwhelming majority of Dept. officers and staff spend time trying to maintain diplomatic relations in difficult, hostile environments. An example: Embassy in Chad has been evacuated twice in the last 18 mons. because of rebel attacks on the capital. An RPG accidently hit the embassy and by a miracle did not go off, otherwise many would have died. We have had people working around the clock in disasters, such as the tsunami in SE Asia, etc., etc. More and more embassies are unaccompanied postings, which means our people go and spend a year or more without their families, with minimal personal effects and in very difficult conditions. An unsung story is the story of hundreds of Foreign Service personnel who have served in Provincial Reconstruction Teams all over Iraq and Afghanistan, on the front line, trying to help rebuild those countries, but without carrying guns or other weapons. I am disgusted with the ignorant comments based on outdated perceptions half a century out of date…

]]> By: Stella http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483741 Stella Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:09:32 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483741 Typical of the denial of tea and crumpet pin-stripers at Foggy Bottom. The art of diplomacy practiced at its best by saying one thing; and meaning another like a half-empty hot air balloon! Diplomats are just that--all talk and little common sense. Keep up the good work. Typical of the denial of tea and crumpet pin-stripers at Foggy Bottom.
The art of diplomacy practiced at its best by saying one thing; and meaning another like a half-empty hot air balloon! Diplomats are just that–all talk and little common sense.
Keep up the good work.

]]> By: miv http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483652 miv Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:50:53 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483652 This person has some obvious issues and needs to adjust to their current circumstances whatever they are. That said, many of the blogs,media types, and other talking heads seem to have ignored or glossed over the fact that our adversaries have learned a great deal about our processes and systems. Let us (the American people) not be shortsighted and assume that our physical size, military prowess, or soundbite inspired congress prevent an enemy from studying us and developing new strategies and tactics to exploit our systems and processes. To counter these new methods, we must also adopt new strategies to gain advantage over those who seek to endanger our way of life. This person has some obvious issues and needs to adjust to their current circumstances whatever they are.

That said, many of the blogs,media types, and other talking heads seem to have ignored or glossed over the fact that our adversaries have learned a great deal about our processes and systems.

Let us (the American people) not be shortsighted and assume that our physical size, military prowess, or soundbite inspired congress prevent an enemy from studying us and developing new strategies and tactics to exploit our systems and processes.

To counter these new methods, we must also adopt new strategies to gain advantage over those who seek to endanger our way of life.

]]> By: AreYouKiddingMe http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483500 AreYouKiddingMe Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:49:38 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483500 An awful blog. The writer is a ranter who has spent too much time listening to Newt Gingrich and not enough time pursuing the truth. A few notes: --Canceling a visa is not the same as canceling a passport. Visas to the U.S. are not scanned until someone gets into the U.S.. Even if the embassy canceled it, he would still have gotten on that plane. --Salaries in the foreign service are good, but not great. Certainly not even close to the highest paying jobs in the government. I would add that the equivalent military rank pays roughly the same salary as a comparable level foreign service officer, although military personnel get significantly more retirement benefits and pension. --The Foreign Service accepts about 1% of its applicants each year. Poor standards? Hardly. --Nearly half of all career diplomats came in during the Bush administration. An awful blog. The writer is a ranter who has spent too much time listening to Newt Gingrich and not enough time pursuing the truth. A few notes:

–Canceling a visa is not the same as canceling a passport. Visas to the U.S. are not scanned until someone gets into the U.S.. Even if the embassy canceled it, he would still have gotten on that plane.

–Salaries in the foreign service are good, but not great. Certainly not even close to the highest paying jobs in the government. I would add that the equivalent military rank pays roughly the same salary as a comparable level foreign service officer, although military personnel get significantly more retirement benefits and pension.

–The Foreign Service accepts about 1% of its applicants each year. Poor standards? Hardly.

–Nearly half of all career diplomats came in during the Bush administration.

]]> By: wenteast http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483325 wenteast Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:41:44 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483325 And the above postings adequately pointed out the ignorance of the blog writer -- s/he gets practically nothing right about how the law works, how Embassies work, or what Foreign Service Officers do. "Escaped" -- it's clear that living in Lagos doesn't qualify you to criticize the Consulate, and I'd love to know what "observed" means to you -- apparently you drove by the Consulate once. The lack of detail and the stupidity of your alleged criticism shows that you are totally unqualified to comment. The Foreign Service does have its problems and weaknesses -- like any organization -- but neither "Escaped" nor the blog writer knows what they are. And the above postings adequately pointed out the ignorance of the blog writer — s/he gets practically nothing right about how the law works, how Embassies work, or what Foreign Service Officers do.

“Escaped” — it’s clear that living in Lagos doesn’t qualify you to criticize the Consulate, and I’d love to know what “observed” means to you — apparently you drove by the Consulate once. The lack of detail and the stupidity of your alleged criticism shows that you are totally unqualified to comment. The Foreign Service does have its problems and weaknesses — like any organization — but neither “Escaped” nor the blog writer knows what they are.

]]> By: wenteast http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483324 wenteast Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:37:20 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483324 "Escaped" -- you misspelled "putsch", and that's just the beginning of your silliness. As one of the Foreign Service's few conservatives, I'm embarrassed that apparently you're from my side of the political spectrum. “Escaped” — you misspelled “putsch”, and that’s just the beginning of your silliness. As one of the Foreign Service’s few conservatives, I’m embarrassed that apparently you’re from my side of the political spectrum.

]]> By: Escaped from the Belly of the Beast! http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483265 Escaped from the Belly of the Beast! Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:22:16 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483265 In as much as I agree with some aspects of the writer's argument, there are others that I do not. the writer is absolutely accurate, having lived and observed the "so-called" Foreign Service at work in Lagos, Nigeria (2006/2007 - I wasn't an ex-pat, I was a part of the U.S. mission). Our current Foreign Service is corrupt and dysfunctional. The State Department continues to recruit more of the same -- thereby increasing the inbred nature of their system. The career Foreign Service is a cancer that is just as dangerous to our homeland as external, non-U.S. terrorists. No matter which agency is present, whether its the CIA, FBI, DEA, DOJ, et cetera, all these Federal employees are just biding their time they whine about their lack of pay, benefits, and rich taxpayer-funded pensions. We have a Federal government that is broke -- just review the statement that the Homeland Security Secretary made, which was no doubt drafted by career employees that was totally out-of-touch with reality. Time to reverse the Reagan/Clinton/Bush/Obama BIG GOVERNMENT PUSCH! In as much as I agree with some aspects of the writer’s argument, there are others that I do not. the writer is absolutely accurate, having lived and observed the “so-called” Foreign Service at work in Lagos, Nigeria (2006/2007 - I wasn’t an ex-pat, I was a part of the U.S. mission).

Our current Foreign Service is corrupt and dysfunctional. The State Department continues to recruit more of the same — thereby increasing the inbred nature of their system. The career Foreign Service is a cancer that is just as dangerous to our homeland as external, non-U.S. terrorists.

No matter which agency is present, whether its the CIA, FBI, DEA, DOJ, et cetera, all these Federal employees are just biding their time they whine about their lack of pay, benefits, and rich taxpayer-funded pensions.

We have a Federal government that is broke — just review the statement that the Homeland Security Secretary made, which was no doubt drafted by career employees that was totally out-of-touch with reality.

Time to reverse the Reagan/Clinton/Bush/Obama BIG GOVERNMENT PUSCH!

]]> By: MoJo http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483241 MoJo Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:19:33 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483241 Just to add to the consensus on the ignorance displayed here: how would you like it if one unsubstantiated complaint about you by someone who may or may not have a personal beef with you resulted in the immediate and un-appealable cancellation of your travel documents? Outbid someone on a contract or get in a fight with your boyfriend and say goodbye to your visa? Consular officers receive thousands of "poison pen" letters every week, many of which are in retaliation for some personal injury suffered; should they all be accepted as proof positive? Just to add to the consensus on the ignorance displayed here: how would you like it if one unsubstantiated complaint about you by someone who may or may not have a personal beef with you resulted in the immediate and un-appealable cancellation of your travel documents? Outbid someone on a contract or get in a fight with your boyfriend and say goodbye to your visa? Consular officers receive thousands of “poison pen” letters every week, many of which are in retaliation for some personal injury suffered; should they all be accepted as proof positive?

]]> By: Sven http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483235 Sven Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:50:33 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483235 This piece is mostly non-nonsensical. For starters, consular operations, including visa issuance and all of the of the related bureaucratic machinery is fully funded by fees paid by the applicants and petitioners, in the case of immigrant visas. That funding covers all aspects of consular presence abroad down to the housing that consular officers live in. Indeed these fees even subsidize other aspects of the U.S. presence abroad. Secondly, the few consular officers I know take glee in upholding U.S. immigration law and are very thorough and careful. They operate with the information they have at hand. This underwear bomber fellow, at the time of his visa interview, probably came across as a well-qualified applicant. Son of a banking tycoon with a good travel history, schooling in the UK, with previous travel to the US. Why wouldn't anyone issue this kid a visa? Things can change after a visa is issued and the U.S. can't keep tabs on everyone holding a U.S. visa, especially considering that they can often go a period of years without expiring. I think many of the terrorists of tomorrow are going to have clean backgrounds at the time of visa issuance, just like the underwear bomber and 9/11 highjackers did. I think that, fundamentally, the system works. Naturally, we need to learn from our mistakes and adjust accordingly. On another matter, do you really think that U.S. diplomats are compensated that well? I guarantee you that all of the oil sector folks in Nigeria are getting paid substantially more than the U.S. diplomats serving in the country. This piece is mostly non-nonsensical. For starters, consular operations, including visa issuance and all of the of the related bureaucratic machinery is fully funded by fees paid by the applicants and petitioners, in the case of immigrant visas. That funding covers all aspects of consular presence abroad down to the housing that consular officers live in. Indeed these fees even subsidize other aspects of the U.S. presence abroad. Secondly, the few consular officers I know take glee in upholding U.S. immigration law and are very thorough and careful. They operate with the information they have at hand. This underwear bomber fellow, at the time of his visa interview, probably came across as a well-qualified applicant. Son of a banking tycoon with a good travel history, schooling in the UK, with previous travel to the US. Why wouldn’t anyone issue this kid a visa? Things can change after a visa is issued and the U.S. can’t keep tabs on everyone holding a U.S. visa, especially considering that they can often go a period of years without expiring. I think many of the terrorists of tomorrow are going to have clean backgrounds at the time of visa issuance, just like the underwear bomber and 9/11 highjackers did. I think that, fundamentally, the system works. Naturally, we need to learn from our mistakes and adjust accordingly. On another matter, do you really think that U.S. diplomats are compensated that well? I guarantee you that all of the oil sector folks in Nigeria are getting paid substantially more than the U.S. diplomats serving in the country.

]]> By: HalFlem http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483209 HalFlem Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:50:10 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483209 In my day in the US foreing service even before 9/11 counselor officers who issued visas were strict to the point of tolerating no second guessing by Ambassadors, politcal or career. Even one of my Foreign Service colleagues had great difficult getting a visa for his foreign born wife.I don't know if the culture of political correctness played a role in the Nigerian case, but the visa certainly should have been denied per the Brits with fewer layers of bureaucracy. and political appointees. It is a stretch, however, to blame President Obama for a foreign service system that greatly eroded under the years of the Bushmen. In my day in the US foreing service even before 9/11 counselor officers who issued visas were strict to the point of tolerating no second guessing by Ambassadors, politcal or career. Even one of my Foreign Service colleagues had great difficult getting a visa for his foreign born wife.I don’t know if the culture of political correctness played a role in the Nigerian case, but the visa certainly should have been denied per the Brits with fewer layers of bureaucracy. and political appointees. It is a stretch, however, to blame President Obama for a foreign service system that greatly eroded under the years of the Bushmen.

]]> By: cross http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483204 cross Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:37:28 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1483204 Wow - the only things that the blogger gets right is that yes, there is a US Embassy in Nigeria, there is a U.S. Foreign Service and that there is a CIA. Everything else is mishmash of bia and opinion masquerading as some authoritative statements. Obviously, the blogger has major sour grapes about "high salaries" enjoyed by FSOs. Sorry dude - its akin to the normal GS level, nothing atmospheric about it. I love the touch of blaming them for the 9-11 attacks. If only we fix the Foreign Service, then the U.S. can prosper. WHY is the Foreign Service killing America!!! What a moron! Wow - the only things that the blogger gets right is that yes, there is a US Embassy in Nigeria, there is a U.S. Foreign Service and that there is a CIA. Everything else is mishmash of bia and opinion masquerading as some authoritative statements. Obviously, the blogger has major sour grapes about “high salaries” enjoyed by FSOs. Sorry dude - its akin to the normal GS level, nothing atmospheric about it. I love the touch of blaming them for the 9-11 attacks. If only we fix the Foreign Service, then the U.S. can prosper. WHY is the Foreign Service killing America!!! What a moron!

]]> By: warfighter0311 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1479225 warfighter0311 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:59:58 +0000 http://www.bloggernews.net/123454#comment-1479225 Even if the visa was revoked the actual visa would still have been in his passport and the airlines would have looked at it and let him on the plane It would not have shown up that it was revoked until he tried to get through customs at the Port of Entry-Detroit airport in this case. Airlines do not check with the governments to validate visas. Revoked or not he would have gotten on the plane. Even if the visa was revoked the actual visa would still have been in his passport and the airlines would have looked at it and let him on the plane It would not have shown up that it was revoked until he tried to get through customs at the Port of Entry-Detroit airport in this case.

Airlines do not check with the governments to validate visas.

Revoked or not he would have gotten on the plane.

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