Should Horse go to Baghdad?

[Pekka]

Yeah but you have to take into account.. I mean if you're calculating risks, you have to consider the more possible scenario, hostage taking. Australia just had their elections, and that was stronger approach on terrorism ie having your troops there. That means, that the rebels and all those people including terrorists are looking for people of those nationalities in there, and they want to have an Australian hostage as well to put some pressure on Australian gov. Where do you find Australians? Gov jobs are the easiest places to find them. Meaning, that chances of you getting taken hostage are greater than with many other western nationalities in there, plus they're most likely not showing any mercy on your butt so.. still very unlikely to happen, but surely possible.

I figure the risk calculations will still show that the possiblity of anything bad happening are slim to none, but I'd say stay with your family, I mean if you make a commitment to go there, you won't be getting out freely, and why would you want to take time apart from your family for bigger bucks, unless those bucks are pretty big? So yeah.. if the money is absolutely great, then maybe sure.. but if they're just ok or little better than ok, I'd say it's a waste of time for you.

[Agathon]

Dude, you should take any job that would take you further away from Iraq.

The last thing anyone wants to see is you on Iraqi reality TV.

[reds4ever]

IMHO the problem for Aussies (and Brits) is that the terrorists know they are not going to deter America by taking Amerian hostages, so they'll try to get at their allies who *may* be easier to sway.

[OzzyKP]

Originally posted by Harry Tuttle
family vote.

Agreed.

Personally I'd say no way. But there are pros and cons to both options. And both will have a great deal of effect on your family. I say you make a family vote. (and be sure to include your kids too!)

[Dis]

are you crazy! Do not support the illegal war. I was just kidding about the illegal part

if you value your life, I wouldn't go.

[Dis]

Originally posted by David Floyd
I will say that I would take 1 million - 1 on making a fortune vs. dying any day of the week.

I would too, but the odds are far, far worse than that.

[Dis]

Originally posted by OzzyKP


Agreed.

Personally I'd say no way. But there are pros and cons to both options. And both will have a great deal of effect on your family. I say you make a family vote. (and be sure to include your kids too!)

call me crazy, but I don't see any pros at all.

[loinburger]

Stay home, be a boring family man.

[Jon Miller]

pretty wife and cute children

as long as they aren't all monsters in real life I think the decision is pretty obvious

JM

[Barinthus]

If you were a single man, I'd say go for it and if you survive you got a terrific story to share to impress skirts at a local bar.

But you're a family man, you gotta to think of others who depends upon you for their well-being. I'm not saying to not take the opportunity, just make sure that you're making a right decision here.

[Serb]

Stay home. We need your trolls here.

[Dis]

Originally posted by Barinthus
If you were a single man, I'd say go for it and if you survive you got a terrific story to share to impress skirts at a local bar.

But you're a family man, you gotta to think of others who depends upon you for their well-being. I'm not saying to not take the opportunity, just make sure that you're making a right decision here.

or just get a lot of life insurance

[Alexander's Horse]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Can you camp out in the basement of your embassy?

I think it's fair bet I'd spend most of my time there hiding under my desk

[DanS]

The US gov't had a lot more applicants very early for the Baghdad post than they had positions. People in Washington were pretty surprised at it, but I guess the reasons makes sense.

As I understand, the money is something like the military. If you're in a battle zone, you get hazard pay and it's not taxed.

Regarding the career enhancing bit, the US mission is supposed to be the biggest in the world. It's where the action is and where many of the quality people are being sent (as well as a lot of CIA agents, I'm sure). If you believe those contacts would enhace your position with regard to your ultimate goals, that would be positive.

I'm sure Oerdin would be able to give you a good idea about the relative risks of the green zone. A State Department security guy got killed yesterday.

[reds4ever]

What if he's being sent there to count the paper clips? ;O)