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Wow. I don't really know what to say. That's horrible news.
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Sep 12, 2012 13:13
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Skandiaavity posted:Yes, the Ambassador (Stevens) himself died as well. President and Secretary confirmed it. Chris was the best boss I've ever had. I signed on for a second year in Libya solely so I could stay working for him.
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Sep 12, 2012 13:31
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This is tragic in every way. Sean was a cool dude I IM'd with periodically -- especially when I was in Baghdad -- and he will be missed. the_chavi posted:Chris was the best boss I've ever had. I signed on for a second year in Libya solely so I could stay working for him. I do hope that you are taking care of yourself right now.
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Sep 12, 2012 13:52
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Arakan posted:Obviously you guys can't go into specific detail about the security measures at US embassies around the world, but uhh, were there marines inside the embassy for protection or what? These embassies aren't just relying on local military forces right? Yes there are, but it's not like the intro of Courage Under Fire. I've heard some more about what happened but I can't really go into it publicly yet.
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Sep 12, 2012 14:08
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I haven't posted in here since I declined my offer, but this is beyond sad. Sean was a really cool guy, and was very encouraging and informative throughout the process. How unbelievably terrible.
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Sep 12, 2012 14:16
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Vilerat was an incredibly helpful and nice poster. He actually helped me get off my rear end and try to achieve some of my hopes. I can't believe he's gone. Its so unfair. EDIT: If there is a donation drive for his family, I'd love to contribute. Shageletic fucked around with this message at 15:14 on Sep 12, 2012 |
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Sep 12, 2012 15:09
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Just heard the news. I'm honestly at a loss for words. RIP buddy
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Sep 12, 2012 15:38
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I've obviously been MIA for months, but this is so horrific. I'm so sorry for everyone who knew anyone who was killed- I never talked to Sean, really, but he was obviously an experienced FSO, a great person, and very generous with his knowledge and his time here. Adding this to the USAID FSO killed in Afghanistan last month, it's been a bad stretch.
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Sep 12, 2012 15:46
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I really can't add much more since I didn't know him privately at all but this is really sad and tragic all the same. I did see in here how much he helped others, and heard other stories that did nothing but corroborate that attitude. Condolences to all who knew him and the others killed; pretty awful news.
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Sep 12, 2012 15:53
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Absolutely horrible, I am beyond words. He was one of the folks in the ongoing FS threads that really inspired me to get my rear end in gear and go for it. Such a horrible loss.
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Sep 12, 2012 15:56
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Just thought I'd drop by and echo everyone else's sentiments. So yeah also wow you sure updated the OP quickly
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Sep 12, 2012 17:02
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Never knew him personally buy when I applied last time through he was helpful and I've lurked here ever since. Just two days ago I was staring at the online registration to take the test again, and started having the conversation with my girlfriend about safety and security. Condolences and well wishes to everyone there and especially his family.
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Sep 12, 2012 17:20
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Shageletic posted:Vilerat was an incredibly helpful and nice poster. He actually helped me get off my rear end and try to achieve some of my hopes. I can't believe he's gone. Its so unfair. Yeah he was very insightful, informative and a stand up guy for all of us in these threads. My thoughts will be with his co-workers, friends and family. The world is a lesser place without.
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Sep 12, 2012 19:34
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RIP Vilerat, and condolences to his family and colleagues.
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Sep 12, 2012 20:46
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RIP Vilerat, thanks for all your insight and advice about the foreign service.
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Sep 12, 2012 21:28
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Seeing the awful news about Vile Rat reminded me that I need to reapply to take this year's FSOT. Rest in peace dude. I never met you but I'm sure I got some of your advice last year before I took the test. And from all the poo poo I've been reading all day you were a chill as hell cool guy. 
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Sep 12, 2012 22:08
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RIP Vilerat. Thanks for all of your contributions to this community.
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Sep 12, 2012 22:32
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I lurk this thread pretty obsessively and I honestly regret that one of my first posts is to say that I'm really going to miss Vilerat. He was a good poster, and a better person, which is something I think we should all aspire to be. Rest in peace. 
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Sep 12, 2012 22:50
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chavi, sent an email to your gmail
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Sep 12, 2012 23:06
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Combed Thunderclap posted:I lurk this thread pretty obsessively and I honestly regret that one of my first posts is to say that I'm really going to miss Vilerat. He was a good poster, and a better person, which is something I think we should all aspire to be. Rest in peace. I've also been lurking in this thread for quite a while, and I give my condolences to Vilerat's family, friends, and colleagues. His loss is felt even by those of us who only knew him through his posts.
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Sep 12, 2012 23:54
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He changed the foreign service. There were 14 IMS in my specialist class and 4 of us were there because of him.
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Sep 13, 2012 00:13
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Sean was a great guy. You could put him in the middle of a strange foreign city, not knowing the language, not knowing the customs, and he was at his happiest. Because there was so much to learn, to just soak up and revel in it. Even in the countries where so much was wrong, he believed a few people could make a difference with diplomacy, and have a great time doing it. If you're not trying to get it right, you're doing it wrong. And if you're not having a good time trying to get it right, you're doing it wrong. Sean did it right, and there are a lot of us at State that are better for knowing him.
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Sep 13, 2012 01:07
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My sincere condolences to his family, what a horrible, horrible thing to happen. I remember Vilerat posting about Baghdad but had no idea he followed that up with Libya. Thank you for your service to your country, and for your encouragement to everybody interested in the Foreign Service.
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Sep 13, 2012 01:26
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the popes toes posted:Sean was a great guy. You could put him in the middle of a strange foreign city, not knowing the language, not knowing the customs, and he was at his happiest. Because there was so much to learn, to just soak up and revel in it. Even in the countries where so much was wrong, he believed a few people could make a difference with diplomacy, and have a great time doing it. If you're not trying to get it right, you're doing it wrong. And if you're not having a good time trying to get it right, you're doing it wrong. Sean did it right, and there are a lot of us at State that are better for knowing him. Amen. Sean introduced us, and I'm ever thankful for having known a person like him. A model FSO for us all.
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Sep 13, 2012 01:29
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R.I.P., Vilerat. I've been following this thread since the beginning when it was just one or two FSOs posting regularly and everyone thought it was just going to fade away like so many FSOT question threads before it. My heart goes out to Sean and his family. This truly sucks. Since I didn't say it enough - and particularly since I haven't said it in general to everyone posting here, Thank you.
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Sep 13, 2012 02:14
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I can't believe I discover this thread just a few days ago, and this happens. I'm honestly shocked beyond words. My condolences to Sean's family, and I'll be thinking of him for quite some time. Man, this sucks.
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Sep 13, 2012 02:16
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You'll be missed Sean and always remembered.
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Sep 13, 2012 02:27
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Here's what CNN was reporting for a timeline of the final moments... "Regarding the attack on the main compound, a U.S. source says three people – Stevens; Sean Smith, a U.S. Foreign Service information management officer; and a security officer – were in a safe room. The house was on fire (CNN has previously reported the building was on fire after a grenade attack), and the security officer got out. The officer then went back in for Stevens and Smith, and he found Smith's body and retrieved it. The officer could not find Stevens, the source said." Not asking anyone to confirm or deny anything using privileged info, but putting together what's available open source it sounds like they were the stay behind group that was destroying crypto/classified. Assuming that's the case...drat. Keeping crypto secure is something that without any exaggeration saves lives, among many other things. That's how you do it.
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Sep 13, 2012 03:50
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~10? Libyan LES (Security) died in the attack as well. I thank them for providing support in our time of need. In a twist, Fox News has a similar timeline of events that is somewhat neutral http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/09/12/gunfire-then-missing-ambassador-officials-describe-chaotic-scene-at-benghazi/ and Al-Jazeera is offers a similar, but jumps to conclusions perspective. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/09/20129112108737726.html
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Sep 13, 2012 04:23
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No idea what to say. Terrible.
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Sep 13, 2012 05:10
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I lurked here a long time before registering last week, I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't become active earlier and missed getting to know Sean. I'm at a loss for words.
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Sep 13, 2012 05:23
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Hi thread, I was wondering if some of you guys who knew Vile in real life might venture over and share some stories about him in the GBS thread? I only knew him through EVE and goonwaffe and just this last page it's really apparent that there are tons of things about him I never knew, and I would love to read some more about Sean Smith: Badass FSO.
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Sep 13, 2012 05:38
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A very sad day for the Foreign Service and the families of those lost in Libya. I didn't have the chance to meet Sean before his untimely death, but I have valued his advice in this thread form the days before I actually joined the FS. May he and all our fallen friends from the attack in Libya rest in peace, and hope that their families can find strength.
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Sep 13, 2012 10:55
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iyaayas01 posted:Here's what CNN was reporting for a timeline of the final moments... As far as I'm aware, that's correct. Skandiaavity posted:~10? Libyan LES (Security) died in the attack as well. I thank them for providing support in our time of need. I didn't hear about the local guard force taking casualties. My read was that the 10 were Libyan security forces, not LGF.
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Sep 13, 2012 11:13
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And now Embassy Sana'a (Yemen) is being attacked. Apparently the Swiss Embassy in Tehran (which safeguards American interests, since we do not have a mission in Iran) was also attacked.
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Sep 13, 2012 11:21
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Diplomaticus posted:And now Embassy Sana'a (Yemen) is being attacked. Mtreecorner is still here in the states.
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Sep 13, 2012 11:51
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Ah, I thought he already left for post.
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Sep 13, 2012 12:59
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Diplomaticus posted:And now Embassy Sana'a (Yemen) is being attacked. Oh, poo poo. I know someone there too. This is getting even worse.
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Sep 13, 2012 13:20
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Apparently the Sana'a thing is over with no injuries.
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Sep 13, 2012 14:30
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Good, that's what the news reports were saying too. Still not great news to wake up to.
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Sep 13, 2012 14:32
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