I had lunch today with a friend of mine, a Foreign Area Officer who used to be stationed in a U.S. Embassy in Africa. It was a grand time - we talked about our respective efforts and how we wanted to get back into the operational/tactical world. We discussed some of my ideas for building capacity. She wants to be involved (which is GREAT, because I want to have her involved).
Then she invited me to be her date on Friday night.
Saturday is the Netherland's Armed Forces Day and there will be a celebration at the Dutch Embassy. Would I like to come?
I almost choked on my diet coke and chicken curry.
If this was some godawful movie - if it was a book instead of my life, I would have to put on a clinging dress, killer stilettos, and sip wine with the Dutch military and politicians, emphasizing (once again) that I'm the adult in the relationship, and perfectly capable of providing good value and good company in spite of the evil maneuvering and lies of the MIVD crowd.
But this is not a movie. I can't imagine the embarrassment for my friend if my name was on some "black list" and I was ejected.
I can't believe that these douchebags have maligned me so completely. I cannot believe that they have lied so thoroughly. I've worked closely with the Dutch. They've supported my programs and I have supported theirs. I was a by-name-request to support their plans for African Winds. And now I can't even make an appearance at a cocktail party without being worried that they will fuck with me.
The strange synchronicity of this situation has not been lost on me. Why the Dutch? Why not the French? Couldn't we sip Cabernet and eat Fois Gras at the French Embassy? I could practice my French and be irritated about Colonialization.
Fucking MIVD. I hope you have a great Armed Forces Day and choke on your Stroopwaffels.
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