ISG: Force Fed. Employees to serve in Iraq

[AnnInLa]

Are you a federal government employee? You've probably been asked -- more than once -- to help the mighty Iraq rebuilding effort by volunteering to fill a post over there for a few months.

Apparently, folks haven't been stepping up to the plate. So you civil servants might not have a choice in the matter, if the Iraq Study Group gets its way. From the final report, Recommendation #74 reads:

"In the short term, if not enough civilians volunteer to fill key positions in Iraq, civilian agencies must fill those positions with directed assignments. Steps should be taken to mitigate familial or financial hardships posed by directed assignments, including tax exclusions similar to those authorized for U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq."

So the government might force you, a lanyard-swinging desk jockey, to serve in the fiery chaos of a faraway land, away from friends and family, at risk of death. Silver lining: tax break!

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002088.php

[Target_For_Exterm]

1. A modern version of the draft?

[roamer65]

2. This could bring a whole new meaning to the phrase...

"goin' postal". I hate to imagine the responses if they try to draft civilian federal employees.

[annabanana]

3. Sweet Jesus!. . (It's not a draft, right?)

oh yes it is.

[htuttle]

4. "Milt, we're gonna need to go ahead and move you over into storage B..."

"So if you could just go ahead and pack up your stuff and move it over to the Green Zone, that would be terrific, OK?"

[Hobarticus]

5. Buh....buh...but he took my fl-fl-flak jacket, a-a-and I need it

It's my flak jacket.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. I haven't made it that far in the report yet

No doubt that will be one piece that bush will latch onto with relish. I've no doubt it's purpose is to cut cost and increase profits.

[Kellyiswise]

7. YES!! And what about all those Commissioned Corps folks sitting behind desks

collecting active duty pay from plush offices in the Washington metro area? Bet most of you don't even know about them. Well, do some checking. All the benefits and health care, travel, housing allowances, bonuses, etc. You will be amazed. What is more, most are in the area of medicine and healthcare. What you don't know...ultimately does hurt you, only you don't know it.

[AnnInLa]

8. I'm wondering if you could just say,

Take this job and shove it ??? Or, would they not even let you quit, just put you in leg irons and ship you over there. For a serious report, that is the craziest recommendation ever.

[roamer65]

9. They'll probably threaten to terminate them for misconduct...

...and go for forfeiture of their federal pension and related benefits. So if they adopt this, when can we start sending the Rethug congress critters?

SEND ORRIN HATCH FIRST!!!