KG4WSS, Killed in Consulate Attack

[N8MSA]

Sorry if my comment irked or offended anyone as that was not my the intent.

SNIP

With all due respect, a post regarding the passing of a fellow amateur radio operator is not the place to promote your (or anyone's) political agenda. There is, if you insist on discussing such things in an amateur radio forum, places (slightly) more appropriate than the "Amateur Radio News" forum.

It is, in my opinion, highly disrespectful to leverage the loss of this person at a time when most people would extend their best wishes to the family, friends and co-workers of Sean. I lost a dear friend to an accident involving a drunk driver, and listening to people expound on their theories of society's blame didn't help anyone deal with the loss.

[NX1P]

please take your politics to Yahoo.
RIP Sean.

[W0IW]

ITS great to know hams are working around the world protecting all of us !!!!


Joe
W0IW

[KD0NVY]

My understanding was that during Bush administration we began to negotiate with other countries for local or contract security elements to guard embassies. Should have kept Marines and no one else. Just a terrible tragedy.

[NL7W]

God bless you, Sean. I and the majority of a grateful Nation thank you for your unflinching and selfless service.

Around the world, all embassy security personnel should be well armed to defend officials, themselves, and their Nation's property and honor. To do otherwise, is unadulterated folly.

[K2ADK]

There was no prior warning. Also, it was a consular office, not an embassy; thus it was not accorded the same degree of permanent security measures that an embassy would provide. Your conspiracy theory won't wash.

[NL7W]

Oh, there's no consiracy, just a complete and udder lack of common sense, leading to dead Americans. Any offices representing the United States, on 9/11 of any year since our 2001 attack, in any middle-east country, including Israel, should have armed guards (preferably Marines) guarding and ever watchful. A heightened state of awareness and security prior during, and after this anniversary should be SOP.

I'm not sure where you get your news... but it's common knowledge today. Our government was warned of pending events -- days ahead of time. Sad...

Common sense dictates that our leadership protect Americans serving abroad, and not diss pending terrorism reports from foreign governments.

There was no prior warning. Also, it was a consular office, not an embassy; thus it was not accorded the same degree of permanent security measures that an embassy would provide. Your conspiracy theory won't wash.

[KK5R]

With respect, I must dissent; we need to remember not just one, but all our Amateur Radio friends who died serving our country.

Sometimes we know them personally: http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...ght=santa+rosa

Jim was killed by an Afghan pilot he was training. There will be more, I'm sure.


Cortland
KA5S

Well of course you were right but my purpose is not to disregard anyone who gives all to serve the country but to use this one case as the impetus to "remind us all in ham radio that while we hobby away, there are those in the service of our country...."

There are people in all walks of life that bring to mind a greater cause. But to name all the heroes, to list them and to honor them, would require more than a day. However, Sean can represent all of them as the Hero we see as personifying all those others, some of which you refer to.

I can see a day set for a good cause and allow Sean to be the symbol that everyone can remember and have it bring to mind all the others. If it were merely a day to remember them all, then we already have that: Memorial Day.

[KK5R]

My comment below was in response to N8MSA's comment, as follows:

"With all due respect, a post regarding the passing of a fellow amateur radio operator is not the place to promote your (or anyone's) political agenda. There is, if you insist on discussing such things in an amateur radio forum, places (slightly) more appropriate than the "Amateur Radio News" forum.

"It is, in my opinion, highly disrespectful to leverage the loss of this person at a time when most people would extend their best wishes to the family, friends and co-workers of Sean. I lost a dear friend to an accident involving a drunk driver, and listening to people expound on their theories of society's blame didn't help anyone deal with the loss."

I also would say that, in my opinion, there is too much "politicking" on the Amateur airwaves. What ever happened to the old Amateur Radio code where talk about politics and religion were discouraged lest our hobby become less for communicators and experimenters and more for people on a crusade apart from Ham Radio???

Oh, for the good old days of Ham Radio.

Here we are supposed and expected to draw attention and honor to one of our own who unselfishly gave his all. Are we to be any less honorable and respectful?

[KB4QAA]

My understanding was that during Bush administration we began to negotiate with other countries for local or contract security elements to guard embassies. Should have kept Marines and no one else. Just a terrible tragedy.

Not true. Local security personnel have been used for years before Bush I came into office. I made trips into the US Embassy in Tel Aviv in the 80's and nearly all the security personnel were Israeli civilians. Only two or three Marines were visible inside or out.

Keep in mind that security is layered and varies depending on the conditions. Host nation military, host police, hired local security, and last a few Marines. Don't make the mistake of thinking that there are more than a couple dozen of them, and they are NOT equipped for heavy combat. They are first and foremost, grunts, riflemen, who provide a small core of security, and minor last ditch defense.

Embassy safety and security has always depended on the gentile diplomatic tradition of protection by the host nation. With few exceptions, our embassies are not fortresses, and do not have large numbers of heavily armed Marines.