Hunter: Replace Uncooperative Diplomats With Wounded Vets
Duncan Hunter has an idea for how to deal with diplomats who don't want to go to Iraq. In a new press release entitled, "Hunter: Go to Walter Reed and Bethesda for New State Dept Personnel," Hunter argues that the diplomats should be fired and then replaced by wounded veterans.
"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 wrote.
Full statement after the jump.
November 1, 2007HUNTER: 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."
Is this an Onion article?
DuncHunt really wants to fire professional diplomats and replace them with shell-shocked soliders requiring great medical care and throw them right back into the cesspool? Put them right back in harm's way so they can lose both legs?
Has Hunter really lost his mind?
November 2, 2007 10:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
There'd be a vetting process to choose the Loyal Bushies first. Just like Bremer's CPA.
November 2, 2007 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
If Hunter is cognizant that state department employees do not want to be assigned to Iraq, what in the hell makes him think that soldiers seriously wounded in Iraq would wish to make a return appearance??!!??
Wow. Just....wow.
November 2, 2007 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
First of all, what makes Hunter think that anyone wants to go to Iraq once, much less go back? Second, what makes him think that hospitalized, maimed soldiers are eager to leave their hospital beds to return to the scene of their maiming? Third what makes him think a random group of riflemen are qualified to perform the duties of a foreign service officer?
Answer: the neo-fascist worship of all things military that now pervades the Republican party. Don't get me wrong, I respect, admire and am grateful to the members of our armed forces. Just as I would hesitate to arm and deploy foreign service officers to patrol Sadr City, I'm just not convinced that diplomacy is a task best handled by members of an institution accustomed to issuing and obeying orders and shooting foreigners. Call me crazy!
November 2, 2007 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
If fierce determination to win the war on terror is what we need, I modestly propose that we cancel the remaining GOP debates and pack the whole field save Ron Paul off to our needy embassies.
Mittster can have Double Green Zone!
November 2, 2007 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think "undying patriotism" is an ironic choice of words by Hunter given the mortal risks involved.
Diplomats aren't soldiers and vice versa. Soldiers go in when diplomats can't. And Iraq is in no condition to have an operating U.S. Embassy there. Could you possibly created a more viable and symbolic object of attack there?
November 2, 2007 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why do we have to listen to people who have barely measurable levels of public support?
November 2, 2007 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's just another example of the mindset of the modern Republican party; if it doesn't obey, KILL IT! If it doesn't work, INVADE IT!
The guy must be loads of fun dealing with problems at the office. Doubtless his preferred method of clearing printer jams involves an RPG.
November 2, 2007 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, I've got an idea! Why not let our wounded vets off the hook, for a change, and send Duncan Hunter to staff the embassy! After all, he is one of the war-horny idiots who was so gung-ho to send other people to fight and die in the desert for Rve's meat-puppet - let him show the courage of his convictions. He may be too old to serve in the military, but he's not too old to serve in the diplomatic corps!
November 2, 2007 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Send Duncan's coward arse to the embassy.
November 2, 2007 10:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Duncan Hunter would be an ideal candidate to work in Iraq. But he's probably too busy being patriotic.
November 2, 2007 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is this guy nuts? Every politician who supports this bloodbath in Iraq, who wants everyone else's sons & daughters to die or become maimed and injured, should be required to serve there, too; or at the very least should send their own children.
November 2, 2007 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Question for next Republican Debate:
Sir, in the event you do not get the nomination for President and are not asked to run as Vice President, will you offer to serve as a diplomat in Iraq?
November 2, 2007 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Duncan Hunter should be unelected. He has championed this debacle in Iraq, and now wants to send our kids back for more. I would want him to go to Iraq, but I would rather that he go to hell!
November 2, 2007 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just got off the phone with Hunter's office.
I told them that it was an excellent idea to send people with PTSD back to the very place that gave them PTSD to begin with, and that people having nervous breakdowns make great diplomats and will never lose their cool.
The I asked how many kids the Rep has in Iraq, and surprisingly he has one! So I said that shoudld Hunter's kid come home with PTSD and half his limbs blown off that he should be the first selected to represent our country in iraq.
November 2, 2007 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mercenaries: send in any former State Dept employees who quit for better jobs, pay them triple and let them join the career ladder of the GOP: Senators and AGs become Lobbyists; Navy Seals and Army Rangers become Mercenaries with Blackwater, and Army Grunts come back as contractors after getting their enlistment bonuses and serving one hitch.
November 2, 2007 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
When is Hunter volunteering for diplomatic duty in Iraq?
Oh, he isn't?
Then he should shut up about the qualifications of the diplomatic corps, most of whom have degrees in international studies and speak multiple languages, but are not trained as soldiers or police.
November 2, 2007 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I nominate Steve King (R-electrified border fences & my wife is safer in Baghdad than in DC) as Hunter's running mate. If they're not separated at birth, then at the very least it's a match made in the heaven of idiocy.
November 2, 2007 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Most of you do not know the heart of the patriot. These wounded patriots are descendents of the same patriots that walked barefoot from Brooklyn heights to Pennsylvania in the middle of winter in support General George Washington and our republican way of life. Descendants from the beaches at Vera Cruz.Descendants from the trenches before Petersburg, or the Ardennes. Patriots molded from Bataan, Iwo jima, Chosin resevoir, Khe Sahn, Desert Sorm, Fallujah. The wounded soldier, and the retiree dream of being called on to do Patriot work. In addition, how dare you say that an enlsted man cannot rise to the challenge of being a diplomat. How dare you say that the patriot heart is feable."
A quote from Teddy!
A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled, and less than that no man shall have."
Speech to veterans, Springfield, IL, July 4, 1903
To all you detractors that sit in your warm offices, take long lunch breaks, and stay out of harms way, I say Bully.
Here is yet another example of Duncan Hunter doing his best for the Patriot that believes in this country.
November 2, 2007 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Foreign Service Officers spend several YEARS living in a fixed location in some of the most difficult, dangerous cities in the world - providing a very nice target for terrorists -- with no military training or equipment. They are two different careers. Hunter's comments are not only insulting to a group of VERY patriotic individuals, they show a total lack of understanding of the role of the State Department. One would think a (former) candidate for President of the United States would understand the "subtle" nuance. (That was sarcasm, Duncan, in case you missed it)
November 2, 2007 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I nominate .... Duncan Hunter !!!
And, recommend you recruit others at the next NRCC meeting.
November 2, 2007 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
"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 wrote.
These vets could get a second or third Purple Heart. Let's only hope that the mobility impaired ones have better body and vehicle armor than they used to have.
November 2, 2007 2:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
How many State Department positions need to be filled in Iraq? Let's just start filling in the slots:
1. Duncan Hunter
2. Karen Hughes
3. Karl Rove
4. Scooter Libby
5. Alberto Gonzales
6....
November 4, 2007 2:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
6. George Bush 1
7. George Bush 2
8. Condoleeza Rice
9. Dick Cheney
10. Donald Rumsfeld
11. Osama Bin Laden
12. Satan.....
November 12, 2007 1:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sy, Duncan Hunter a coward? You people are out of your minds!!!. This guy DID his duty in Vietnam, which I am sure most of you liberal cowards cannot claim. And he is trying to do right by those wounded in battle. What a bunch of whiny pricks you people are. God Bless Duncan Hunter for his loyalty to our troops.
November 15, 2007 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink