@gordonstirling.bsky.social
U.S. Foreign Service (Ret.); former adjunct instructor pol sci, UNLV, UVU. BYU Cougar.
I respect those choices, but I would have thought Going My Way or The Bell’s of St. Mary’s might have also snuck onto his list. 😀😇
November 11, 2025 at 11:33 PM
I respect those choices, but I would have thought Going My Way or The Bell’s of St. Mary’s might have also snuck onto his list. 😀😇
When I was the counter-narcotics officer at Emb. Bridgetown 2002-2004, we had quarterly meetings with the UK and Canada to coordinate on counter-narcotics assistance to the E. Caribbean states. Relations were solid and enduring. There was no daylight among us. Now USG summarily executes people.
November 11, 2025 at 4:18 PM
When I was the counter-narcotics officer at Emb. Bridgetown 2002-2004, we had quarterly meetings with the UK and Canada to coordinate on counter-narcotics assistance to the E. Caribbean states. Relations were solid and enduring. There was no daylight among us. Now USG summarily executes people.
I’m not gonna stop going to Chili’s or Texas Roadhouse. My labs are fine. 😂
November 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
I’m not gonna stop going to Chili’s or Texas Roadhouse. My labs are fine. 😂
Every pitch is drama
November 2, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Every pitch is drama
I think his health and his sons not there might be affecting him. I’m sorry for his health issues.
November 2, 2025 at 2:41 AM
I think his health and his sons not there might be affecting him. I’m sorry for his health issues.
The torture memos were a terrible precedent in this regard. No prosecutions.
October 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The torture memos were a terrible precedent in this regard. No prosecutions.
I agree. An OLC opinion can’t be scripture. Well, the courts are getting more skeptical of the presumption of regularity from DOJ. And, should an OLC opinion replace a soldier’s conscience? What a mess. But, I thought Savage came across a little defeatist.
October 31, 2025 at 3:55 PM
I agree. An OLC opinion can’t be scripture. Well, the courts are getting more skeptical of the presumption of regularity from DOJ. And, should an OLC opinion replace a soldier’s conscience? What a mess. But, I thought Savage came across a little defeatist.
I served at USUN 1986-1987. It was normal and expected for our adversaries to exercise their right of reply after we criticized them (generally, Soviets and East bloc). But, for the U.S. PermRep to be subject to a parliamentary point of order is a sign of how disrespected we have become.
October 30, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I served at USUN 1986-1987. It was normal and expected for our adversaries to exercise their right of reply after we criticized them (generally, Soviets and East bloc). But, for the U.S. PermRep to be subject to a parliamentary point of order is a sign of how disrespected we have become.
Premeditated murder, extrajudicial killings, are core constitutional duties leading to immunity? And following orders all the way down the line is a get out of jail free card? Where’s the line, Charlie?
October 30, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Premeditated murder, extrajudicial killings, are core constitutional duties leading to immunity? And following orders all the way down the line is a get out of jail free card? Where’s the line, Charlie?
1970’s California. I was 18 digging foundations for new homes side by side with Mexican immigrants, all of us in the Laborer’s union. Same shovels in our hands, same sun beating down on us. We were brothers.
October 30, 2025 at 4:37 PM
1970’s California. I was 18 digging foundations for new homes side by side with Mexican immigrants, all of us in the Laborer’s union. Same shovels in our hands, same sun beating down on us. We were brothers.
😂I made up a book report in elementary school, including three completely fictitious books in the bibliography, such as, “Here Come the Elephants.” Check all your kids’ biblios for made-up stuff. 😂😇
October 26, 2025 at 10:08 PM
😂I made up a book report in elementary school, including three completely fictitious books in the bibliography, such as, “Here Come the Elephants.” Check all your kids’ biblios for made-up stuff. 😂😇
Stone cut out of the mountain without hands.
October 25, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Stone cut out of the mountain without hands.
Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, 1922
October 24, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, 1922
And the Panthers!
October 24, 2025 at 2:36 AM
And the Panthers!
If an unvaxxed neighbor kid dies of measles or whooping cough or diphtheria I’m not going to say to the parents you killed your kid. I’m going to mourn with those who mourn.
October 23, 2025 at 5:49 PM
If an unvaxxed neighbor kid dies of measles or whooping cough or diphtheria I’m not going to say to the parents you killed your kid. I’m going to mourn with those who mourn.
My congressman, Burgess Owens, is like the like the media that has agreed to DOD reporting restrictions. Simply parrots the President, not a peep of opposition about anything. He’s Black and was even on board with deleting Black military history at Arlington.
October 23, 2025 at 12:20 AM
My congressman, Burgess Owens, is like the like the media that has agreed to DOD reporting restrictions. Simply parrots the President, not a peep of opposition about anything. He’s Black and was even on board with deleting Black military history at Arlington.
In the State Dept you have to go down six levels of hierarchy before you get to a civil servant. Nothing happens without it being cleared by a political appointee - the President’s person. No money is spent or budgeted without political apptee, OMB and Congressional approval.
October 21, 2025 at 12:31 PM
In the State Dept you have to go down six levels of hierarchy before you get to a civil servant. Nothing happens without it being cleared by a political appointee - the President’s person. No money is spent or budgeted without political apptee, OMB and Congressional approval.
I’m so thankful for the windows of heaven opened that we can share with each other.
October 11, 2025 at 2:10 AM
I’m so thankful for the windows of heaven opened that we can share with each other.
Hurricane, UT
October 8, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Hurricane, UT
Mr. Ambassador, it’s almost like words such as aghast or appalled can’t match the emotions inside at what is happening. I’m retired too but it’s like the fight part of fight or flight is always turned on inside me now.
October 8, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Mr. Ambassador, it’s almost like words such as aghast or appalled can’t match the emotions inside at what is happening. I’m retired too but it’s like the fight part of fight or flight is always turned on inside me now.
Right. I was Foreign Service 24 years, and I feel like doing in resistance. (I can’t believe we even have to have a resistance. 😬)
October 4, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Right. I was Foreign Service 24 years, and I feel like doing in resistance. (I can’t believe we even have to have a resistance. 😬)
She wears a cross, but misses the whole point of The Good Samaritan, who was helping an Other. They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
October 3, 2025 at 11:09 PM
She wears a cross, but misses the whole point of The Good Samaritan, who was helping an Other. They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
We’re down to two hour meetings now. 😀😇. Thanks very much for your kind words.
September 30, 2025 at 1:09 AM
We’re down to two hour meetings now. 😀😇. Thanks very much for your kind words.
Under the AECA, State has final word on arms transfers as a component of foreign policy. But, every time we raised a concern about regional arms races, DOD and contractors would say you’ll put U.S. workers on the street, harm mil-mil relations, and raise unit costs for DOD. We always got rolled.
September 22, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Under the AECA, State has final word on arms transfers as a component of foreign policy. But, every time we raised a concern about regional arms races, DOD and contractors would say you’ll put U.S. workers on the street, harm mil-mil relations, and raise unit costs for DOD. We always got rolled.
They could make a movie of PRC diplomats asking at cocktail parties if you were a second secretary or third secretary, trying to figure out if you were a spook.
September 22, 2025 at 2:11 AM
They could make a movie of PRC diplomats asking at cocktail parties if you were a second secretary or third secretary, trying to figure out if you were a spook.