tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116602402009-11-21T09:05:40.503+01:00A weblog by a former soldier and present-day U.S. foreign service officer. My views in no way represent anyone else's than my own although readers are welcome to agree with as much as they desire. If you're looking for gossip, for breaches of operational security or privacy, for public criticism of the declared foreign policies of the United States of America, leaks or other treasonous disloyalty, the reader is invited to look elsewhere.Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.comBlogger5000125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-50090967065552512502009-01-01T06:32:00.004+01:002009-01-01T06:32:00.302+01:00

In order to (finally) take advantage of the (relatively) new formatting options available in Blogger, CAA is launching Consul-At-Arms II.Things will be winding down here, so be sure to visit the new web log.

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-37093479660837208122009-01-01T06:23:00.000+01:002009-01-02T03:05:01.251+01:00

Taken at Revel Grove, the Maryland Renaissance Festival, Crownsville, Md., on August 26, 2007.

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-78827009351006926102009-01-01T00:27:00.001+01:002009-01-01T00:27:01.116+01:00

International Herald TribuneCase for retirement visa in United States may gain new tractionNov 26 2008 10:05 amPosted by Kevin Brass in News, GeneralEstate agents in the United States hope a new administration in Washington D.C. will kick start talks for a retirement visa, the so-called “silver card” which would allow foreigners to easily retire in the U.S.“I’m encouraged,” said Tony Macaluso,

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-78395165892230350372009-01-01T00:18:00.001+01:002009-01-01T00:18:00.985+01:00

Jamaica GleanerIslam, Judaism speak outpublished: Sunday November 16, 2008TO TAKE a life of a murderer is to save the life of many, says Sheikh Musa Tijani of the Islamic Council of Jamaica."When someone kills and he knows he will be killed, he thinks twice to do it and that will make people live in peace and harmony," he says.Tijani, who is head of education and Dawah (which means calling

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-73500309804003281892009-01-01T00:14:00.002+01:002009-01-01T00:14:00.608+01:00

Stars and StripesNumber of overseas voters may break records in ’08 By Geoff Ziezulewicz, Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Sunday, October 26, 2008USAREUR mailing election ballots for freeHaven’t mailed your absentee ballot yet?Starting Thursday, voters who use Army post offices in Europe will be able to send their ballots express mail for free, U.S. Army Europe announced Thursday."All the Army

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-40571705083430898922009-01-01T00:07:00.003+01:002009-01-01T00:07:00.960+01:00

From my archive of press clippings:Jamaica ObserverRemove that archaic provisionSunday, May 11, 2008Dear Editor,After almost 11 years on the job, Mr Danville Walker has resigned as director of elections, following the issue of American citizenship.Pursuant to sub item 2(f) of the Schedule to the Representation of the People (Interim Electoral Reform) Act of 1979, no members of the Electoral

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-56926682188813976912009-01-01T00:03:00.002+01:002009-01-01T00:03:00.764+01:00

From my archive of press clippings:Jamaica GleanerUpholding the Constitutionpublished: Sunday May 11, 2008McCallaThe Editor, Sir:If a citizen of Jamaica pledged allegiance to the United States, he or she should not be allowed to partake in Jamaica's election. These measures undermine Jamaica's democratic development, judicial independence and the possibility of free and fair process.The United

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-60740763133112222852008-12-31T06:25:00.003+01:002008-12-31T06:40:43.512+01:00

Big Country at The Intrepid Reporter tells of administering an on-the-spot OPSEC correction.Money quote(s):"While waiting for a flight out, I saw a ‘gentleman’ come walking up to the helipad. I use the term ‘gentleman’ in the respect that he was in a Brooks Brothers suit jacket, and the rest of the outfit, from his arrow shirt to his Bally shoes screamed “Washington D.C. Bigwig” and was bec’ fin.

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-26795227126674456032008-12-31T06:18:00.001+01:002008-12-31T06:31:36.680+01:00

DRJ at Patterico's Pontifications ("Harangues that Just Make Sense") notes a lawfare development from our side.Money quote(s):"If this is representative, U.S. immigration courts could end up as the front line in the American legal war on terror.Don’t you wonder how many Elzahabis there are in America … and how many more there may be after the GTMO detainees have their day in court?"

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-85535203055765241672008-12-31T06:04:00.003+01:002008-12-31T06:28:27.261+01:00

Dave Schuler at Outside the Beltway pokes some holes in this prediction from Greater Muscovy.Money quote(s):"Do you think that Idaho and Utah will federate with California? Really? Or that the upper Midwest will fall under Canadian sway? Note that the population of Illinois alone is half that of all of Canada.""(T)he Soviet Union’s grand tradition of disinformation is alive and well and living in

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-63917451820505423902008-12-27T09:08:00.002+01:002008-12-27T09:08:00.342+01:00

Steve Clemons of The Washington Note ("on public policy debates that deserve attention") guest-posts at No Quarter ("Tired of spin? Larry Johnson offers no quarter on issues of your security.") with this interesting suggestion.One thing he neglected to mention is that her grandfather, Joseph Kennedy, Sr., also held this appointment under FDR.

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-46239655702242172732008-12-27T08:50:00.004+01:002008-12-27T08:50:02.654+01:00

FSO Globetrotter ("Our Man In Chile") wrote about a "death case" he handled while duty officer this past week.Snippet(s):"I'm wearing the dual hats of back-up American Citizen Services officer during the holidays and also the Embassy duty officer this week. So when the marines called around 11:30 p.m on Friday night, the ringing phone on my bed-side table wasn't a surprise. However, the caller

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-37082939542167350062008-12-27T08:07:00.003+01:002008-12-27T08:07:01.037+01:00

Hugh Hewitt ("A blog of Townhall.com") gives some well-meant advice to the incoming president.Money quote(s):"Even as Iraq settles into a stable and largely peaceful normality --Iraqi Christians who fled during the period of the greatest violence are returning to the country, and Christmas was celebrated openly there yesterday-- and U.S. forces can be carefully drawn down, the demands in

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-6363907183980209492008-12-25T08:46:00.001+01:002008-12-25T08:46:00.977+01:00

Camp Babylon, Iraq.

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-70008587715388794332008-12-25T08:11:00.001+01:002008-12-25T08:11:01.402+01:00

Camp Babylon, Iraq.

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-45554737094534447192008-12-24T19:20:00.001+01:002008-12-24T19:20:05.003+01:00

Camp Babylon, Iraq.

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-17870103724363426032008-12-24T09:23:00.001+01:002008-12-24T09:23:00.707+01:00

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-90838270317862292542008-12-24T08:58:00.001+01:002008-12-24T08:58:00.227+01:00

Camp Babylon, Iraq.

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-59317651671356217842008-12-24T08:51:00.001+01:002008-12-24T08:51:01.085+01:00

Who can identify what video is being played?

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-71889070850927410922008-12-23T08:39:00.004+01:002008-12-23T08:39:00.527+01:00

Things are not looking good for the PMOI at Ashraf Camp.Snippets:"BAGHDAD, Dec. 21 -- Iraqi officials say they intend to expel members of an Iranian exile group living in a camp north of Baghdad that is protected by the U.S. military. The expulsion, which the Shiite-led government has long sought, is expected to become feasible once the U.N. mandate that regulates the presence of U.S. troops --

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-60324993631026456732008-12-22T09:22:00.002+01:002008-12-23T06:37:41.812+01:00

Two opinion pieces in Sunday's Washington Post Outlook section have generated some heat in the blogosphere; one , by Thomas A. Schweich ("Thomas A. Schweich served the Bush administration as ambassador for counter-narcotics in Afghanistan and deputy assistant secretary of state for international law enforcement affairs.") a bit more than the other one, by retired army general Wesley K. Clark.As

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-1365452279376832892008-12-22T08:37:00.003+01:002008-12-22T08:37:00.255+01:00

Richard at EU Referendum ("To discuss issues related to the UK's position in Europe and the world") provides some news of the PMOI.Money quote(s):"(T)he EU was reprimanded by its own courts for refusing to obey their ruling that it had acted illegally in outlawing Iran's main democratic opposition movement, the People's Mujahideen of Iran (PMOI).This ever murkier and more bizarre story began back

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-71138523619063826362008-12-22T08:19:00.002+01:002008-12-22T08:19:01.053+01:00

MadTom at This Fucking War asks a very good question:"The enemy is there waiting for a better opportunity to strike. Yet the coalition has dissolved.Well what of it you might ask. I was just thinking, is this a vote of confidence in Obama, are our allies voting with their feet?"

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-40168552971136100212008-12-21T21:14:00.004+01:002008-12-21T21:28:00.689+01:00

The Curmudgeon Emeritus at Eternity Road takes a "Manhattanite literateur, Vanity Fair contributing editor, and scourge of conservatives and Republicans everywhere" to school.Money quote(s):"Note his blithe assurance that fears of further assaults against America or Americans are mere phantasms -- that to concern oneself with the possibility marks one as paranoid, perhaps dangerously so. You'd

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11660240.post-89892228106026848902008-12-21T20:56:00.004+01:002008-12-21T21:10:04.421+01:00

John at World-Wide Matel ("This blog is the successor to Matel-in-Iraq, where I described my year of service as ePRT leader deployed with the U.S. Marines in Western Iraq. I invite your comments, but will not be put-off if you don’t make any. Welcome. ") made some observations about Washington, D.C.Money quote(s):"I understand that Washington is a political town and politics pervades everything,

Consul-At-Armshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.com0