The Foreign Service Journal, September 2010

64 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0 B O O K S principled as it was shortsighted. Nor did he spare his own government the same criticism. Lamentably, the only effect he had on London’s policy was to alienate the powers that be. When his behavior didn’t provide sufficient ammunition for removal, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office embel- lished or made up allegations and eventually sacked him. While Murray remains respected by the press, human rights organiza- tions and what little political opposi- tion is allowed to exist in Uzbekistan, he ended up back home with virtually no money, health problems and thoughts of suicide. But at least he still has the consolation of his Uzbek girlfriend. The lesson Murray offers those contemplating dissenting from official policy is that standing on principle can be considered going too far if the home office really wants to ignore re- ality. The alternatives for those with- out a trust fund to fall back on are not pretty. Nor should dissenters expect the support of colleagues. One retired diplomat used the Speaking Out col- umn in the June 2003 FSJ to heap scorn on three FSOs who had re- signed over the invasion of Iraq, dis- missing their actions as mere arro- gance. While dissenters may eventually have the satisfaction of being proven right, often that is all they will have. ■ Dennis Jett, a retired FSO, served in Buenos Aires, Tel Aviv, Lilongwe, Monrovia, Maputo, Lima and Wash- ington, D.C. He is now a professor of international affairs at Penn State University. Lamentably, the only effect Murray had on London’s policy was to alienate the powers that be. Buy all your travel guides, language books and pleasure reading through the AFSA bookstore. Buy the Amazon Kindle and download and read first chapters for free before you decide to purchase that new book. When you access Amazon.com through our bookstore all your purchases will benefit AFSA at no additional cost to you. Find State Department and AFSA Reading Lists Online at www.afsa.org/ads/books/ Start your purchase on our site: www.afsa.org/ads/books/ AFSA Resource Marketplace Find the Most-Requested Resources from the Overseas Briefing Center Online at www.afsa.org/ads 1. FSI’s Transition Center 2. U.S. Department of State Overseas Briefing Center (OBC) 3. Security Overseas Seminars: PSOS, ASOS, SAA, SOS, SOS 4. Transition Center Training home page for eligible family members and members of household (MOH) 5. International Jobs - Working Overseas 6. Country Information (Bidding Resources) 7. Transition Center Courses 8. Preparing to Go Overseas 9. Pets and International Travel 10. Foreign Service Assignment Notebook: What Do I Do Now? 11. U.S. Department of State Career Transition Center (CTC) 12. Personal Post Insights 13. Elementary School Stuff 14. Arrange Medical Clearance and Immunizations 15. High Stress Assignment Outbrief Program