Are you now, or have you ever been, a card-carrying member of the State Department?

[MountainRunner]

The title of this thread caught my eye as it reflects 1940's-era opinions of the State Department. A conservative Republican Congressman from South Dakota was one of many who felt State was filled with communists. Rep. Karl Mundt, later Senator Mundt, was a force behind the Smith-Mundt Act of 1948 to address problems in part stemming from a lack of focus and initiative at State. More on that on the SWJ blog.

I don't know if Rex intended to link sixty-year old history with Bolton's statement. I'm not. I'm just throwing this out there.

[GWL II]

I have to deal with State a great deal in my present job. Given a choice I would never rely on them for either advice or assistance regarding my or my employee's safety. I have also found the "background" briefings on trade missions and the like to be substantially less informative than Lonely Planet or a solid read of the FT.

[Tom Odom]

Are you now, or have you ever been, a card-carrying member of the State Department?

Hmmm 6 embassies/missions, one wife, and a girlfriend

[Stan]

Hmmm 6 embassies/missions, one wife, and a girlfriend

A few decent NCOs...Right ?

[Tom Odom]

A few decent NCOs...Right ?

No

I had two fantastic NCOs

You were one of them

[Old Eagle]

Is it just me or does anyone else think that it's ironic that the neocons are accusing others of oliticizing the intel process?

[Tom Odom]

Is it just me or does anyone else think that it's ironic that the neocons are accusing others of oliticizing the intel process?

Irony would be one word choice

It certainly reeks but I have come to expect it