25-10-2004 05:09									#1
	Should Horse go to Baghdad? Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

I have the opportunity to apply for a senior position with my government in Baghdad.

Its for 12 months with an option to extend, stay as long as you like I suspect!

The appointment would be career enhancing and the money is good but it could of course be life threatening. That's a real lottery. I would leave the family behind in Australia for the duration. That would be tough.

Should I stay or should I go?

	25-10-2004 05:15									#2
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One life vs. loads of money.

Say it's a 1,000,000 - 1 bet, you still only have to lose once........

	25-10-2004 05:17									#3
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family vote.

	25-10-2004 05:19									#4
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Are you mad?

	25-10-2004 05:25									#5
	Got spare money?

what exactly would you be doing there?

	25-10-2004 05:28									#6
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Stay with your family.

	25-10-2004 05:29									#7
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I'd say that you should take a look at the area in which you would be working/living, the number of (fatal) attacks on Australians, and other similar issues before making a decision.

	25-10-2004 05:30									#8
	Got spare money?

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

	25-10-2004 05:30									#9
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I wouldn't go, it's far too risky.

	25-10-2004 05:33									#10
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quote: 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.

'the money is good' does not equal 'making a fortune'..BIG difference

	25-10-2004 05:34									#11
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Go.

	25-10-2004 05:45									#12
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quote: 'the money is good' does not equal 'making a fortune'..BIG difference

Not if the odds are a million to one

Which they aren't, I'm sure. I'm just saying, if the odds against dying are astronomical, it's not a bad bet if the price is right.

	25-10-2004 05:45									#13
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Gp. Something to tell the Grandkids, if nothing else.

	25-10-2004 05:48									#14
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quote: Originally posted by David Floyd Not if the odds are a million to one Which they aren't, I'm sure. I'm just saying, if the odds against dying are astronomical, it's not a bad bet if the price is right.

Spoken like a true gambler

	25-10-2004 05:53									#15
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Can you camp out in the basement of your embassy?

	25-10-2004 06:00									#16
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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.

	25-10-2004 06:05									#17
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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.

	25-10-2004 06:11									#18
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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.

	25-10-2004 06:12									#19
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quote: 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!)

	25-10-2004 06:12									#20
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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.

	25-10-2004 06:13									#21
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quote: 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.

	25-10-2004 06:15									#22
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quote: 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.

	25-10-2004 06:15									#23
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Stay home, be a boring family man.

	25-10-2004 06:17									#24
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pretty wife and cute children

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

JM

	25-10-2004 06:19									#25
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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.

	25-10-2004 06:33									#26
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Stay home. We need your trolls here.

	25-10-2004 06:35									#27
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quote: 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

	25-10-2004 06:46									#28
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quote: 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

	25-10-2004 06:46									#29
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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.

	25-10-2004 06:48									#30
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What if he's being sent there to count the paper clips? ;O)