Going to be a big door swinging in Washington DC

[S.J.]

It's always a different story when the shoe is on the other foot.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Well you've certainly found a diamond in the rough.
This is a game breaker.

This could get Hillary into the White House!

 

[JimBowie1958]

"Oh, noes! US foreign policy in Japan simply cannot go on without some rich Kennedy napping with her feet on the desk!"

What exactly were Caroline Kennedy's qualifications for being the ambassador to Japan?

Almost getting a short term fill-in appointment to the US Senate?

roflmao

 

[Coyote]

Obama did the same-
44 - Obama Gives Political Ambassadors Their Pink Slips

Opps!

No. Not an oops.

Every new administration does that - EXCEPT - they make exceptions, and grant grace periods to allow families with children in school to complete the terms. That is the issue.

So we should keep someone in that country in a diplomatic post for the children?

Do you even fathom how stupid that sounds?

Did the military allow my kids to stay in school or did I have to move mid-year?

My oldest daughter attended about 7 different school before she hit middle school and I left the military.

If it's so stupid, why was it done for decades? Why are we paying the millions for the secret service to keep Melania and Barron in Trump Tower so HE can finish out his school year?

You don't think those Secret Service agents would not be assigned similar duties in Washington or wherever the President happens to be?

Most bring their families to the White House.

 

[tyroneweaver]

Well you've certainly found a diamond in the rough.
This is a game breaker.

It does affect families...But what does that matter if a kid has to transfer during the school year to another nation, right?

Sorta like the ACA

 

[Tresha91203]

Were the leftards crying when Obama did same?

The rightards can't seem to comprehend that the issue is not that they are pinked, but that he is refusing all grace periods and making no exceptions - a departure from normal precedents.

Now, if you can show us that Obama did that as well, I'd be interested in seeing your evidence.

The article also quotes Ambassador Marc Grossman who cites former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell who reportedly offered particularly wide latitude to ambassadors facing family issues. “This was something that was important to Secretary Powell because of his own experience living and serving all over the world, so when people asked him, ‘Could I stay another couple of weeks, couple of months; my kids are finishing school,’ he was very accommodating,” Mr. Grossman said, adding that his flexibility was an “exception” to the general practice.

Secretary Powell was an “exception” to the general practice of the wholesale departure of political appointees at the beginning of every administration.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/diplop...-january-20/amp/?client=ms-android-att-aio-us

 

[Ame®icano]

Lefties should grow up and stop whining.

By the way, I know you don't like what's been said, but there was no reason to open another thread on the same topic. It's still not going in your favor.

Well, whatever floats your goat.

 

[AmericanFirst1]

I guess shedding tears for them is unwarranted. They are quite well off as I read the article from the past.

"President Obama has rewarded at least 19 campaign contributors and political allies with ambassadorships this year, according to an analysis by The Hill."
Obama hands out plum ambassador posts to big campaign donors

After Benghazi I would be scared to death to be an Ambassador under obuthole.

 

[FA_Q2]

Were the leftards crying when Obama did same?

The rightards can't seem to comprehend that the issue is not that they are pinked, but that he is refusing all grace periods and making no exceptions - a departure from normal precedents.

Now, if you can show us that Obama did that as well, I'd be interested in seeing your evidence.

It has already been presented MANY TIMES. The fact that you keep ignoring it tells us that you are not interested. IF you think the quoted passages are incorrect then it is on you to show where those exceptions were granted by Obama.

No. Not an oops.

Every new administration does that - EXCEPT - they make exceptions, and grant grace periods to allow families with children in school to complete the terms. That is the issue.

That's nice. It is also absolutely unacceptable. There is no reason that one should be paid so that they can complete the school year. That is part of the problem with the government and high level officials - the good 'ol boy club makes sure that they are 'cared' for without cause.

The simple fact that ambassadorships are commonly gifted to people like large donors tells me exactly how important those positions are to retain - IOW, not at all.

 

[Coyote]

Were the leftards crying when Obama did same?

The rightards can't seem to comprehend that the issue is not that they are pinked, but that he is refusing all grace periods and making no exceptions - a departure from normal precedents.

Now, if you can show us that Obama did that as well, I'd be interested in seeing your evidence.

When Joe Blow loses his job without any notice because the company moved to abroad, I don't hear you people crying. Why are you so concerned about rich people whose lives will be not affected at all.

You don't? I'm thinking you just choose not to listen. I'm not the one supporting job loss overseas or - more critically, the loss of good jobs due to increased efficiency and automation.

 

[Moonglow]

Well you've certainly found a diamond in the rough.
This is a game breaker.

It does affect families...But what does that matter if a kid has to transfer during the school year to another nation, right?

Sorta like the ACA

That was a pain in the ass also...

 

[bripat9643]

This blog explains it best...and reasonably explores it. What makes the Trump team's "pink slipping" so much more callous is the up front "no exceptions" statement.

Foreign Service Tradition: Political Ambassadors Have To Be Out By January 20

Who gives a hoot about "Foreign Service Tradition?" Dems certainly never cared about any other tradition.

 

[Lakhota]

This article was posted in another thread. It deserves it's own thread. What an incredibly petty, callous and vindictive thing to do - upending people's lives just because you can? Seriously?

In Break With Precedent, Obama Envoys Are Denied Extensions Past Inauguration Day

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald J. Trump’s transition staff has issued a blanket edict requiring politically appointed ambassadors to leave their overseas posts by Inauguration Day, according to several American diplomats familiar with the plan, breaking with decades of precedent by declining to provide even the briefest of grace periods.

The mandate — issued “without exceptions,” according to a terse State Department cable sent on Dec. 23, diplomats who saw it said — threatens to leave the United States without Senate-confirmed envoys for months in critical nations like Germany, Canada and Britain. In the past, administrations of both parties have often granted extensions on a case-by-case basis to allow a handful of ambassadors, particularly those with school-age children, to remain in place for weeks or months.

...A senior Trump transition official said there was no ill will in the move, describing it as a simple matter of ensuring that Mr. Obama’s overseas appointees leave the government on schedule, just as thousands of political aides at the White House and in federal agencies must do. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity about internal deliberations, said the ambassadors should not be surprised about being held to a hard end date.

The directive has nonetheless upended the personal lives of many ambassadors, who are scrambling to secure living arrangements and acquire visas allowing them to remain in their countries so their children can remain in school, the diplomats said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.

W. Robert Pearson, a former ambassador to Turkey and a scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said the rule was “quite extraordinary,” adding that it could undermine American interests and signal a hasty change in direction that exacerbates jitters among allies about their relationships with the new administration.

....Some expressed dismay that Mr. Trump, whose wife, Melania, has chosen to stay in New York to avoid moving the couple’s 10-year-old son, Barron, to a new school midyear, would not ensure that such allowances were made for American ambassadors.

​

They "shouldn't be surprised"? If it breaks with decades of precedent, they of course they would be surprised. No ill will? Really?

Truly despicable. I feel like Adolf Hitler is coming to power. Scary...

 

[my2¢]

These ambassadors have had since November to plan for their families warefare. Administrations may or may not have issued blanket notices before but it isn't like a diplomat has never been immediate replaced. The way the article was written they all considered themselves indispensable and tossed aside the risk. Yeah getting laid off has to suck and it is especially hard on families. But at least they knew ahead of time what the story was and it isn't like an ordinary working stiff being laid off without any sort of forewarning at all.

 

[Moonglow]

I guess shedding tears for them is unwarranted. They are quite well off as I read the article from the past.

"President Obama has rewarded at least 19 campaign contributors and political allies with ambassadorships this year, according to an analysis by The Hill."
Obama hands out plum ambassador posts to big campaign donors

After Benghazi I would be scared to death to be an Ambassador under obuthole.

What sucks is the rule change they made where the host nation must provide security..

 

[TheGreatGatsby]

This article was posted in another thread. It deserves it's own thread. What an incredibly petty, callous and vindictive thing to do - upending people's lives just because you can? Seriously?

In Break With Precedent, Obama Envoys Are Denied Extensions Past Inauguration Day

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald J. Trump’s transition staff has issued a blanket edict requiring politically appointed ambassadors to leave their overseas posts by Inauguration Day, according to several American diplomats familiar with the plan, breaking with decades of precedent by declining to provide even the briefest of grace periods.

The mandate — issued “without exceptions,” according to a terse State Department cable sent on Dec. 23, diplomats who saw it said — threatens to leave the United States without Senate-confirmed envoys for months in critical nations like Germany, Canada and Britain. In the past, administrations of both parties have often granted extensions on a case-by-case basis to allow a handful of ambassadors, particularly those with school-age children, to remain in place for weeks or months.

...A senior Trump transition official said there was no ill will in the move, describing it as a simple matter of ensuring that Mr. Obama’s overseas appointees leave the government on schedule, just as thousands of political aides at the White House and in federal agencies must do. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity about internal deliberations, said the ambassadors should not be surprised about being held to a hard end date.

The directive has nonetheless upended the personal lives of many ambassadors, who are scrambling to secure living arrangements and acquire visas allowing them to remain in their countries so their children can remain in school, the diplomats said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.

W. Robert Pearson, a former ambassador to Turkey and a scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said the rule was “quite extraordinary,” adding that it could undermine American interests and signal a hasty change in direction that exacerbates jitters among allies about their relationships with the new administration.

....Some expressed dismay that Mr. Trump, whose wife, Melania, has chosen to stay in New York to avoid moving the couple’s 10-year-old son, Barron, to a new school midyear, would not ensure that such allowances were made for American ambassadors.

​

They "shouldn't be surprised"? If it breaks with decades of precedent, they of course they would be surprised. No ill will? Really?

Heard this on the radio. Some traditions aren't worth keeping. We need ambassadors who represent our current interests, not ineffective legacies.

 

[thereisnospoon]

This article was posted in another thread. It deserves it's own thread. What an incredibly petty, callous and vindictive thing to do - upending people's lives just because you can? Seriously?

In Break With Precedent, Obama Envoys Are Denied Extensions Past Inauguration Day

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald J. Trump’s transition staff has issued a blanket edict requiring politically appointed ambassadors to leave their overseas posts by Inauguration Day, according to several American diplomats familiar with the plan, breaking with decades of precedent by declining to provide even the briefest of grace periods.

The mandate — issued “without exceptions,” according to a terse State Department cable sent on Dec. 23, diplomats who saw it said — threatens to leave the United States without Senate-confirmed envoys for months in critical nations like Germany, Canada and Britain. In the past, administrations of both parties have often granted extensions on a case-by-case basis to allow a handful of ambassadors, particularly those with school-age children, to remain in place for weeks or months.

...A senior Trump transition official said there was no ill will in the move, describing it as a simple matter of ensuring that Mr. Obama’s overseas appointees leave the government on schedule, just as thousands of political aides at the White House and in federal agencies must do. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity about internal deliberations, said the ambassadors should not be surprised about being held to a hard end date.

The directive has nonetheless upended the personal lives of many ambassadors, who are scrambling to secure living arrangements and acquire visas allowing them to remain in their countries so their children can remain in school, the diplomats said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.

W. Robert Pearson, a former ambassador to Turkey and a scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said the rule was “quite extraordinary,” adding that it could undermine American interests and signal a hasty change in direction that exacerbates jitters among allies about their relationships with the new administration.

....Some expressed dismay that Mr. Trump, whose wife, Melania, has chosen to stay in New York to avoid moving the couple’s 10-year-old son, Barron, to a new school midyear, would not ensure that such allowances were made for American ambassadors.

​

They "shouldn't be surprised"? If it breaks with decades of precedent, they of course they would be surprised. No ill will? Really?

Sob story article. A load of crap. Notice the term "case by case"....Your thread ignores that while implying the "extensions" are granted to ALL personnel.
Not true.
These people are just pissed off because their paychecks will end upon the end of their boss' term. And rightly so. Why should the US Taxpayer have to pay TWO people for one job?
And this idea that children cannot enter a school district during a term is bullshit. It happens all the time. children cannot be denied BY LAW enrollment to the public school in which they are assigned by residence.
This is another example of "this is how its always been done. How dare you change it"...
BTW, our allies and other nations are most likely ecstatic that all vestiges of Obama are going to disappear forthwith.
These are wealthy people who do not spend any of their own earnings. They have the financial means to do just about anything they wish. They are also intelligent resourceful people. They will improvise overcome and adapt.

 

[depotoo]

It's been done before-

https://www.quora.com/How-many-First-Ladies-have-refused-to-live-in-the-White-House

One! Mary Arthur McElroy.

When Chester Arthur assumed the presidency after James A. Garfield's assassination in 1881, he was still mourning the death of his wife, Ellen Lewis Herndon Arthur, which had occurred only a year and a half earlier. (From American President-Miller Center)

He asked his younger sister, Mary Arthur McElroy, to act as First Lady.

She agreed, but had a husband and four children in Albany, NY, so she refused to move to Washington, DC completely. Mary would stay in the White House during the winter social season and the rest of the time in Albany.
.......
And Secret service was started in 1865.

Obama did the same-
44 - Obama Gives Political Ambassadors Their Pink Slips

This article was posted in another thread. It deserves it's own thread. What an incredibly petty, callous and vindictive thing to do - upending people's lives just because you can? Seriously?

In Break With Precedent, Obama Envoys Are Denied Extensions Past Inauguration Day

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald J. Trump’s transition staff has issued a blanket edict requiring politically appointed ambassadors to leave their overseas posts by Inauguration Day, according to several American diplomats familiar with the plan, breaking with decades of precedent by declining to provide even the briefest of grace periods.

The mandate — issued “without exceptions,” according to a terse State Department cable sent on Dec. 23, diplomats who saw it said — threatens to leave the United States without Senate-confirmed envoys for months in critical nations like Germany, Canada and Britain. In the past, administrations of both parties have often granted extensions on a case-by-case basis to allow a handful of ambassadors, particularly those with school-age children, to remain in place for weeks or months.

...A senior Trump transition official said there was no ill will in the move, describing it as a simple matter of ensuring that Mr. Obama’s overseas appointees leave the government on schedule, just as thousands of political aides at the White House and in federal agencies must do. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity about internal deliberations, said the ambassadors should not be surprised about being held to a hard end date.

The directive has nonetheless upended the personal lives of many ambassadors, who are scrambling to secure living arrangements and acquire visas allowing them to remain in their countries so their children can remain in school, the diplomats said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.

W. Robert Pearson, a former ambassador to Turkey and a scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said the rule was “quite extraordinary,” adding that it could undermine American interests and signal a hasty change in direction that exacerbates jitters among allies about their relationships with the new administration.

....Some expressed dismay that Mr. Trump, whose wife, Melania, has chosen to stay in New York to avoid moving the couple’s 10-year-old son, Barron, to a new school midyear, would not ensure that such allowances were made for American ambassadors.

​

They "shouldn't be surprised"? If it breaks with decades of precedent, they of course they would be surprised. No ill will? Really?

Opps!

No. Not an oops.

Every new administration does that - EXCEPT - they make exceptions, and grant grace periods to allow families with children in school to complete the terms. That is the issue.

So we should keep someone in that country in a diplomatic post for the children?

Do you even fathom how stupid that sounds?

Did the military allow my kids to stay in school or did I have to move mid-year?

My oldest daughter attended about 7 different school before she hit middle school and I left the military.

If it's so stupid, why was it done for decades? Why are we paying the millions for the secret service to keep Melania and Barron in Trump Tower so HE can finish out his school year?

 

[tyroneweaver]

Well you've certainly found a diamond in the rough.
This is a game breaker.

It does affect families...But what does that matter if a kid has to transfer during the school year to another nation, right?

Sorta like the ACA

That was a pain in the ass also...

How about Travelgate?

 

[CrusaderFrank]

This article was posted in another thread. It deserves it's own thread. What an incredibly petty, callous and vindictive thing to do - upending people's lives just because you can? Seriously?

In Break With Precedent, Obama Envoys Are Denied Extensions Past Inauguration Day

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald J. Trump’s transition staff has issued a blanket edict requiring politically appointed ambassadors to leave their overseas posts by Inauguration Day, according to several American diplomats familiar with the plan, breaking with decades of precedent by declining to provide even the briefest of grace periods.

The mandate — issued “without exceptions,” according to a terse State Department cable sent on Dec. 23, diplomats who saw it said — threatens to leave the United States without Senate-confirmed envoys for months in critical nations like Germany, Canada and Britain. In the past, administrations of both parties have often granted extensions on a case-by-case basis to allow a handful of ambassadors, particularly those with school-age children, to remain in place for weeks or months.

...A senior Trump transition official said there was no ill will in the move, describing it as a simple matter of ensuring that Mr. Obama’s overseas appointees leave the government on schedule, just as thousands of political aides at the White House and in federal agencies must do. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity about internal deliberations, said the ambassadors should not be surprised about being held to a hard end date.

The directive has nonetheless upended the personal lives of many ambassadors, who are scrambling to secure living arrangements and acquire visas allowing them to remain in their countries so their children can remain in school, the diplomats said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.

W. Robert Pearson, a former ambassador to Turkey and a scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said the rule was “quite extraordinary,” adding that it could undermine American interests and signal a hasty change in direction that exacerbates jitters among allies about their relationships with the new administration.

....Some expressed dismay that Mr. Trump, whose wife, Melania, has chosen to stay in New York to avoid moving the couple’s 10-year-old son, Barron, to a new school midyear, would not ensure that such allowances were made for American ambassadors.

​

They "shouldn't be surprised"? If it breaks with decades of precedent, they of course they would be surprised. No ill will? Really?

Fake news AGAIN! Break with precedent?

Obama did the same thing in 2009.

What was it Obama said? Oh, that's right! Elections have consequences.

Pack those bags!

Er, the precedent has been in place since Obama's reelection in 2012