The US Foriegn Service

Well after a long debate among my extended family (which want me to join the US state department) and my parents, the choice has been left to me. I am giving the test for the State dept. Its a pretty easy test compared to that of the Brits or the Russian (i saw the translated version).

I have already met with individuals from the State dept. and they were extremely eager for me to take the test, some even started to give hints and papers to read.

Now my question is not whether i should take it or not. I am taking the test and Inshallah will pass.

The moral delimma of working for a government that i frankly find replusive is gonna be decided at the interview stage if even reach that far.

I do want to know how you as an individual would react to idea of a Pakistani in the US State Dept. (To note there are only two people of Paki origin in the US state dept.)

Re: The US Foriegn Service

go for it man

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To be honest I think you should go for it.

There are Muslims who live in the United States and they have to and must take part in all spheres of US life, in all professions (that are halal - for example, they shouldn't become bartenders or something).

But maybe you can join this and do something to benefit Muslims. At least it would be better to have a representative voice there that tries to change the system from within. Unless Muslims get involved and try to change things, complaining won't help.

Just be careful that you don't get brainwashed or change your loyalties/thinking though once you are part of the State Dept. Remember your roots and stick to your beliefs.

Good luck and that's actually pretty cool that you're gonna be part of it.

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Well the first issue is if i pass the test. After passing the test is the moral delimma which i have been discussing with my parents for the better part of 1 month. My parents don't want me joining the State Dept but it is my final decision.

I find the US state dept morally repugnant esp after Bolton has been moved to the UN. The changes undertaken by Bush today will be seen for the next 20 odd years, when i might be working for the State Dept. I don't want to be working for an entity where i feel like killing my boss on a daily basis because he takes some action that kills innocent people in some small town he doesn't care about.

More opinions would be appreciated.

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If you really feel like joining it then go for it.
All the best!

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Hmm Cm bud, two ways to look at it as far as I see it..

1) Join up and work in the system to improve the image and do some good

2) Refuse and look elsewhere

Personally I'd choose option 2..primarily because i think the US state department is no longer a place of diplomacy but is now a conduit of the neo cons. I find it hard to imagine a person with free thought being allowed to go far in such an environment (unless there abilities were recognised, in which case they'd be used and discarded), unless you were one of those more loyal then the King types.

Anyway whatever your choice..best of luck...

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CM, if you find the US govt so repugnant, wouldn't it be extremely dishonest of you to join them? Where will your loyalties be in Pakistan issues?

On your personal side, do you think you can develop living a lie?

On the professional side, can you sell integrity every day and sell out your colleagues in the state department?

If you want to join the US govt to promote better international relations but always to maintain USA's interest, then go for it.

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Do you have US Citizenship?

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hmmm...make sure you spell 'foreign' correctly in your test.

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CM - Maybe this will be a way for you to see the other point of view :) and a way for others to see yours.

I think you have an opportunity here that you should take. You could create changes for the positive for your people in a position like that (if that is what you want).

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Hypocrite.....

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^ with that endorsement CM go for it :p

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Its like selling your soul to Lucifer...but hey, if it means a step up professionally, then your soul wont really be missed...will it?

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Why would you want to work at a place where you might be uncomfortable?

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Oh be still my heart. Here is CM in his own words this Sept:

"Put it this way, i dont believe because i know otherwise, i have grown up talking to diplomats, ministers and heads of state. I know the inner workings of most diplomatic corps and have functioned as a officer for the Swiss government before taking my present job.

Like in all governments, policy maybe defined by the politicans only after they have been okayed by the diplomats. I am 22 and i have worked for 3 different national governments."

And this:

"As i will Inshallah be banned in the next couple of days. I might as well come clean. My father has been an ambassador for 20 years in four countries. Of course i am not gonna mention which country he represents. Regardless. I have spent my entire life meeting, eating and drinking with dignitaries and diplomats. Ministers, heads of state and royalty (saudi in this case). As such i have been privy to the discussions which take place between close allies and people who are considered friends. Most of the opinions i hold are usually bounced off ambassadors and other ranking diplomats i have met in my life and still keep in touch with.

I have worked with the Swiss government on what is now know as the Berne Initiative for 1 year. The project failed as nobody wished for the system to suceed. Something i am extremely happy about.

Current i am a trade diplomat working with the WTO on behalf of a country.

Living as a diplomats child and currently being a diplomat i am more than adept at knowing how governments function and also how ignorant people do not know the true nature of a diplomats job."

Looks like the internship at the "Bern Initiative" didn't work out so well eh? All the Starbucks delivered, pastries passed out? No job offer?

Perhaps I would go easy on you if your weren't such a self-important snot, but you would think that someone so imminently qualified, who had dined with heads-of-state, and has been on staff with three nations by the ripe old age of 22 would have a job offer or two!

Just remember, if by some huge stroke of luck, you are hired by the US foreign service, that WE pay your salary boy. Stu, me, Myvoice, UTD, Seminole, Storch, and all the Fox-loving blue
state voters, you are our diplomatic bi$ch.

Here is some real advice. Get a private sector job. One where you have to perform. One where you employ people, make payrolls, and pay benefits. One where your employees look to you for Health Insurance for their kids. Stop sucking from the public teat, and selling your soul to anybody who will have you. Dang I ought to send this thread to Rupert Murdock directly.....

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Never take a job that you're not going to be happy doing, because you will never truly excel at something you don't like.

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OG you either should be kicked real hard or shot in the balls.

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Ban me, kick me in my virtual balls, do whatever you would like.

But this is another CM quote from Jan28th!

"No no this better. Its americans killing americans."

Commenting on the loss of American lives in a helicopter crash. Now he wants to come work for the US, and the Marines that he was cheering the death of will be protecting his sorry a$$ in some embassy? He is filth.....

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OG at this moment I would like to give you a free ticket to hell. God forbid I should see another person like you today.

You seriously need to get a life.

Oh yeah and you are such an excellent pick to represent your beautiful American pals.

Btw its HIS life he can do as he likes, who the heck are you to say anything about it? Sheesh. I need to kill somebody.

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That you are probably the only Pakistani writing the test for State Department, how do you think you are improving your chances by posting about it here with your very frank views? It won't exactly require a Sherlock Holmes, you know.

Secondly, neo-cons may be running the US Foreign policy right now, but its a four-year thing. So you never know what you will end up with in five or ten years time.