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October 23, 2006

The Rotten State Of State

Sis yelled at me this morning because I said that all the folks at the State Department are scum.

US State Department mouthpiece Alberto Fernandez issued a statement tonight saying he's sorry for condemning American "arrogance and stupidity" in Iraq:
"Upon reading the transcript of my appearance on Al-Jazeera, I realized that I seriously misspoke by using the phrase 'there has been arrogance and stupidity' by the U.S. in Iraq," said Fernandez, director of public diplomacy in State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. "This represents neither my views nor those of the State Department," Fernandez added. "I apologize."

Okay. But like I said, it was where and how he chose to criticize Iraq policy--in Arabic on the terrorist propaganda network, al Jazeera, right after a terrorist spokesman called on jihadis to bring America to its knees.

And I will admit to a lapse of judgement. Why, I seriously misspoke by using the phrase "all the folks at the State Department are scum."

Blech.

The problem with State is they forget who they work for. Much like ensconced Academics who lose touch with the real world and grow to despise their students, the analysts and career 'diplomats' at State feel that it is they and they alone who have the special insights and should set US foreign policy, regardless of what the elected officials, let alone those mindless sheep of us who elected them, feel or desire. The arrogance of these people towards US citizens is palpable, and treasonous. Statements like this are giving aid and comfort to our enemies. It's that simple. I'm sorry if I'm not displaying sufficient nuance here. State's job is to advise the elected officials and to promote a positive view of the US around the world; you don't do this by saying we're stupid and arrogant and thereby weakening US policy. If you disagree with current US policy...tough. Write reports showing the errors and try to bring about a change in a manner which is not harmful to our country.

Don't become poster boys on terrorist networks.

Posted by Mr. Bingley at October 23, 2006 08:47 AM

Comments

http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14173

Posted by: David at October 23, 2006 11:18 AM

Mr. Bingley, I have a relative who is a career officer in the State Department, and who is an unrepetant leftoid. It appears that much of the mid-level of the State Department bureaucracy are much the same way. Makes you wonder how we get anything done at all.

Posted by: The_Real_JeffS at October 23, 2006 11:31 PM

"Much like ensconced Academics who lose touch with the real world and grow to despise their students"

I don't know about the profs, but us TAs despised a sizeable chunk of our students because they were whiny morons who should not have been in a University in the first place ;-)

Posted by: John at October 24, 2006 11:21 AM

In fairness, it's self-replicating: I'm one of only two right-of-center people I've ever known to have taken the Foreign Service Exam, and although I didn't pass the written, I understand the oral is nothing but a bunch of lefty diplomats grading you on how much you agree with them.

Posted by: Dave J at October 26, 2006 09:33 PM