Just business as usual for the State Department. They serve themselves first, America last.

I hate to say it, but almost everybody I've ever met abroad who works for the US government in any capacity (mostly State) was either a far-left wingnut or a completely pessimistic "realpolitik" amoral jerk. It's very depressing.

Unfortunately, this sort of discrimination against Christians is far from isolated. It's happening now in Iraq, according to Juan Cole. The recent election results in Iraq do not bode well for the Christian minority, because of the rise of SCIRI and DAWA. Cole points out this weird twist: "Ironically, the secular Arab nationalist regimes like the Syrian Baath have typically been favorable to local Christians, since they downplay religious identity."

One of the those thing you get out of reading about the Iraqi Christian minority is that you get reminded that words like Chaldean, Assyrian, and Nestorian are terms applied to actual living people in the 21st century, not just long-dead sects.

Merry Christmas to all who want to hear it.

Ironically, the secular Arab nationalist regimes like the Syrian Baath have typically been favorable to local Christians, since they downplay religious identity."

There is no irony involved when some group of people exist at the whim of a despotic dictator or fascist government. If I was an Iraqi Christian, I'd take my chances with a democracy any day.

Merry Christmas, Tubino!

I'm worried about those problems in Iraq, too. I'm also worried about poverty, hostility to homosexuals, anti-semitism, sexism, and a host of other social problems that are endemic to the middle east.

But I generally agree with the phrase "sunlight is the best disinfectant". Iraq has a free press now, so the future is in their hands rather than the depending on whims of a dictator (or his murderous sons). Christians will almost certainly live better in a democratic Iraq than they were going to under Baathism.

It may be true that in some specific ways, Saddam was more enlightened than Iraqis in general due to his much-lauded "secularism". But that minimal tolerance of Christianity came hand-in-hand with mass graves and perpetual war and terror. It isn't a worthwhile trade, not even for the Christians.

Why are Egyptians controlling who enters the US in the first place?

I imagine because they know the language and can easier deal with the Egyptian public they serve, and to help reduce the cost/exposure of a big American staff at the embassy. Cheaper and less dangerous to farm out what is supposed to be grunt-work to the locals.

But then, they should be supervised, and no one with Hamas posters should be hired.

F'n' DUHHH!!

Because hiring local labor to push papers is cheaper than flying in another overpaid State Department bureaucrat.

A democratic Iraq is likely to be (already is?) a theocratic Iraq with strong ties to Iraq.

But that minimal tolerance of Christianity came hand-in-hand with mass graves and perpetual war and terror.

So far, the US invasion has come hand-in-hand with kidnappings, thousands of homicides, bombings, torture, secret abductions, executions, and jailings.

For the Christians in particular, I'm not sure that life in Iraq is better.

The disinfectant mentioned above is largely nonexistent. Corruption is widespread, criminals mostly go unpunished.

But things do change. Look at Lebanon now, after so much civil war. Ultimately I think the situation in Iraq will improve, even if it takes a forceable, violent breakup to get there.

I just got George Packer's book on Iraq, The Assassins' Gate, for Christmas. Haven't cracked it open yet, but hope to start on it soon.

Look at Lebanon now, after so much civil war

Why am I not suprised you approve of dictator- imposed puppet governments.

Er, Tubino, I think you meant to comment in this thread.

Once upon a time, I wanted to work for the State Department. Soon before the Iraq War, I realized I didn't. I'd be too frustrated with their softness. The State Department exists to serve America above all else. Supposedly. Perhaps they got a memo I haven't read yet.

We should take a page out of the British book: instead of regular Egyptians, the Embassy should be hiring Copts.

Corruption is widespread, criminals mostly go unpunished.

Just like America.
Excellent!

Ultimately I think the situation in Iraq will improve, even if it takes a forceable, violent breakup to get there

Hmmm.

If I went looking for your past 'predictions' about Iraq I wonder if I would find anything so optimistic (your desire for a civil war notwithstanding).

Something about successful democratic elections brings out the best hopes in everyone, it seems.

Even those who were unrelentingly negative not so long ago.

Sorry; did I say 'unrelentingly negative?'

I meant WRONG ABOUT EVERYTHING.

Has the good news from Iraq finally trickled through the leftist filters?

It is a good day.

Biggotry and discrimnation from the so called religion of peace