What Will Google Announce Next Week?
Facebook Forced To Let You Vote On Privacy Changes
U.S. Diplomats Tweet About Frappucinos, Cake in Syria, State Department Gets Angry
Over the course of the past few years, Alec J. Ross and Jared Cohen, two 20-something members of the U.S. State Department, have become quasi-celebrities in diplomatic circles, primarily because of their push to spread social networking technology to the farthest corners of the world. Throughout their global technological crusade, both Ross and Cohen have been tirelessly tweeting about their work in places like Russia, Mexico and Baghdad. For the most part, their engagement with the Twitter universe has been well received, each having accumulated well over 250,000 followers. But, as the two social media evangelists found out, Twitter definitely has its diplomatic limits. Cohen and Ross, you see, recently went to Syria, along with several Silicon Valley executives, in an attempt to convince Syrian leaders to loosen their control over the country's Internet. Apparently, the trip went swimmingly, until both State Member youngsters decided to tweet about it on the way back home. "I'm not kidding when I say I just had the greatest frappacino [sic] ever at Kalamoun University north of Damascus," tweeted Cohen. Ross, meanwhile, tweeted about his colleague's proposal to hold a cake-eating contest as a form of "creative diplomacy."
The tweets probably wouldn't have caused much of a ripple if they hadn't been posted directly after a trip to Syria, a country that the U.S. still engages with what the New York Times calls a "veil of diplomatic politesse." To many suits in Washington, Ross and Cohen's behavior was reckless, and the diplomats have reportedly been reprimanded -- though not too harshly. Hillary Clinton, for example, lauded the men for pursuing what she called "21st-century statecraft," and said, "I'm very proud of the work they're doing."
Obviously, any nation that's on America's list of terrorist-supporting countries needs to be handled with care. But we don't really understand what was so "reckless" about these tweets. For many Americans, they might even help to demystify countries like Syria, which are too often portrayed as dark, soulless entities, instead of actual nations, with actual civilians, and, yes, actual frappucinos. If they were tweeting about any gross smells or foods in Damascus, that would certainly be reckless. Tweeting about frappucinos and cake, on the other hand, is just another day on the job. [From: The New York Times]
40 Years Later 'Napalm Girl' Tells Her Story
Disney World Scammers Scored Four Years of Free Vacations
Lost Dr. Seuss Cartoons Show Another Side Of The Author
Stranger's Kiss Keeps 16-Year-Old From Committing Suicide
Rookie Cop Reportedly Berated, Called 'A Rat' For Arresting Off-Duty Officer
Chain Food Showdown: The Best & Worst Buffalo Wings
Walmart Ending Membership in Conservative Group
How I Went Bankrupt at 23
Disturbing Video Allegedly Shows Montreal Torso Suspect Murdering Victim
Can a New Guy Save Best Buy?
Woman Claims Kangaroo Stalked Her for 2 Days, Then Attacked
PHOTOS: Charlize Theron's Short And Shoulder-Baring Style
Pete Cosey Dead: Chicago Guitar Great and Miles Davis Collaborator Dies at 68
Facebook, Week Two: Fortunes Made and Fortunes Lost (Mostly Lost)
Heidi Klum's Sexiest (And Scariest) Outfits
A Journey To The Hottest Place On Earth: Dallol Ethiopia
Student Ate Roommate's Brain And Heart, Cops Say
Zhang Ziyi Slams Prostitution Allegations
Kansas Police Search For 12-Year-Old Girl Who Disappeared With Canadian She Met Online
George Zimmerman's Bond Revoked
Witherspoon Bigamy Case Heats Up
LOOK: Photos Of Military Moms Breastfeeding In Uniform Cause Controversy
Is Kate Walsh Leaving 'Private Practice' Next Season?
New Discovery Sheds Light On Amelia Earhart Mystery
Space Agency Predicts Date Of World-Ending Galactic Smash-Up
Calif. Man Becomes Internet Sensation In China For Random Act Of Kindness
See Kim Without Her Wig On 'Don't Be Tardy For The Wedding'
Maine Police Believe Ayla Reynolds Is Dead
Porn Actor Mailed Murder Victim's Body Parts To Canada's Top Political Parties: Cops
PHOTOS: This Month's Biggest Photoshop Fails
New Video Shows Face-Eating Attack Lasted 18 Minutes
Divers To Plunge To The Depths Of Baltic Sea To Examine Mystery Object
Comments
26
Subscribe to commentsMelissaJul 5th 2010 7:24AM
Wow - political much ado about nothing - we have wars going on and two diplomats saying they had the best coffee in a terrorist supporting country and cake eating contest between countries is going to upset diplomacy - okay - seriously - this Administration is waaaayyyy too sensitive! First can't criticize the Pres. or his Admin or he'll sensor you! And now, can't talk @ good coffee drinks or cakes (foreign countries have the best deserrts, in case you didn't know) from distant lands. Wow - what a Big Brother state this Admin has turned out to be.
PamelaJul 5th 2010 7:50AM
This article is incomplete. You have to click on the links to see what the fuss was all about, and apparently, it's more about the Republicans in Congress being upset at the US attempts at diplomacy than about the tweets. They are unsure of any diplomatic movements between our country and Syria. The tweets don't really seem to have much to do with it. They say the State Dept is embarrassed by the tweets, however, Hillary Clinton (who is the head of the State Dept) actually has praised both of these employees. I can't imagine that they are in much trouble at all, regardless of this headline.
noreenarshadJul 5th 2010 7:51AM
OMG, Are they serious?! They like cake... and frappacionoes?... from Syria!? What outrageousness is this!?
That was complete sarcasm right there. I seriously can't comprehend where this is "reckless", and I can see anything from any (multiple, not one at one time) point of view.
R. BurkeJul 5th 2010 12:02PM
This serves to belittle the innocent people that have been slaughtered by this country. We're having coffee with the worst of the terrorist nations. Great tweet!
Ask the average citizen of Lebanon or Israel how they feel about it. How about the families of the US Marines and French Paratroopers that were killed by the bombings in 1983. Almost all of the terrorists materials come through Syria.
Anyone had Tea with Bin Laden lately? Hit us with a tweet if he's a good host.
JudyJul 5th 2010 8:41AM
Saying they had 'the greatest frappacinos' should be considered a compliment---- 'what the heck' is wrong with that?
colleenJul 5th 2010 12:35PM
Judy, do you think it is wise or appropriate to "compliment" a country that harbors terrorists and uses terrorism against people?
People are really stuck on the fact that the comments were about coffee and lose sight of the fact that were sitting down with terrorists and making them appear less like, as the article stated, "a dark soulles nattion".
Like the point R. Burke was making, if they sat down for tea with Bin Laden, would you focus on the tea ceremony or the fact that they were sitting down with Bin Laden?
C'mon people!
dls1986Jul 5th 2010 9:16AM
Our deficit is how much? And we our paying these gentlemen to do what? Excuse me while I go choke on my frappacino!
Joe Papierz JrJul 5th 2010 10:52AM
Excuse me. I guess you have a job and maybe work eight hours a day maybe five days a week. I bet you squeeze in a cup of coffee somewhere during the day or after your eight hours are up don't you? So this guy took some of HIS free time to do the same and spent a little more of HIS free time to tweet an opinion about it. Now, "MR. PERFECT WANTS TO SET RULES FOR THE WORLD". Just what did he do that is so wrong?
SeriouslyJul 5th 2010 9:23AM
For people who are trying to build a bridge between two nations, to focus on coffee and a cake suggested cake eating contest between the nation IS in poor taste. These two twenty somethings are NOT dignitaries. What they are are two kings of SEO. They ought to leave "creative diplomacy" to the grown ups...
SeriouslyJul 5th 2010 11:17AM
First of all Joe, that is Mrs. Perfect, thank you. In answer to your observation, no I do not work eight hours a day, nor five days a week. I am a journalist. I work many long hours as well as many short hours, depending on the week.
Yes, I drink coffee as though my life depends on it, and whenever I feel like it. However, I have much more pertinent and interesting things to comment on. I also do not feel the need to tweet (twit is more like it) every time I wipe my *ss, as though everyone should give a rat's ass... Somehow I believe that their are issues in the world that hold just a wee bit more value.
Further more, reducing a politically motivated visit to the suggestion of a cake eating contest is insulting, while showing the lack of world experience on the part of the “diplomat“!
What he did my friend is insult the very man that he was claiming to want to build a friendship with. America’s youth for the most part, seem to have the impression that they may be smug and condescending with anyone in the world whom they feel the desire.
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things“.
SeriouslyJul 5th 2010 12:54PM
Gotta love this new AOL format which allows a person to remove a comment, making the person answering look as though they are speaking to something not directed towards them... Sorry AOL, but you still need to work some bugs out!
Vic LJul 5th 2010 9:22AM
I had my coffee and just took a Crappachino, would the Syrians like some? Utter nonsense!
No MoJul 5th 2010 2:08PM
LMFAO......too funny! Luv it!
BobJul 5th 2010 10:03AM
I applaud the work of these young diplomats in showing the world exactly what a frivolous and utterly useless waste of time Twitter is. Their efforts alone could prevent entire nations from succumbing to the same cultural blight of "distraction for distraction's sake" that we're all enjoying so much at present. Since America doesn't actually make anything anymore, we'll send our best and brightest around the world to promote blather and narcissistic self-promotion, our new chief exports.
Keep up the good work, guys. Let's continue to exert our influence further abroad. China needs help learn how to just chillax and unwind after a hard day of censorship and suppressing protests. Maybe Biden can show them how to ignite farts or check out that Mentos/Diet Coke thing.
cmnsnseJul 5th 2010 10:03AM
Bravo, Bob! Except you went to far with the Mentos and Coke comment! I saw on a morning program that they may actually be used to power vehicles! Gaw!!
SeriouslyJul 5th 2010 10:27AM
Yes, heaven forbid that people should "demystify countries like Syria" by becoming educated. Of all the lazy, self absorbed, new American nonsense. This country is in a world of Cr*p because parents have been lazy and allowed their children (now sort of adults) to think that everything is about them and has to be fun. GrowUP! Coffee and cake, why didn't we think of that before...? God help us!
TRACYJul 5th 2010 3:33PM
While I understand that we are under extreme unrest with countries like Syria, and such I find the comments made ignorant, selfish and blind. I am tired of people/persons evaluating and entire country/countires based on the actions of a given few. Oh by the way have you ever heard the phrase " Out of the mouth of babes" Somethimes the simplist of things can solve a larger issue. Before anyone starts spouting off about my not being an American, get a grip. I am of the opion that staements such as those that have been made fall under the same generalitions as all white hate black, people, people the are Jewish are tight fisted, blondes are stupid, are any of you getting the jist of this. We by no means should accept or roll over and play dead for the actions of a few. However we should educate ourselves and understand that stereo typing makes us no better than those who tried to tear AMERICA down. Yes I do know what I am talking about and yes I am and AMERICAN and have served my country and still do. I think what those two did is great and shows alot of courage to go to a country such as Syris and try to poersanlize them and GOD forbid make them look as though thier are educated HUMANBEINGS.
ajschrodJul 5th 2010 10:33AM
Just because Syria (and Turkey) are Muslim nations it should not be assumed they "support terrorists". Not actively seeking them out is a far cry from that, and not being as dogmatic toward their religion as Iran or saudi Arabia allows citizens to think modern, and we should continue to value our friendship with them.
Joe Papierz JrJul 5th 2010 11:03AM
Sad to see the Internet and the comment boards are fast becoming jokes instead of the source of information they could be. What a magnificent means to broadcast World Wide news and education being wasted by authors whose primary interest seems to be in stiring up controversy on the comment boards. And people posting comments intended to show off how unfortunate the world is that they aren't headlining in a Comedy Club in their city or trying to embarass and or insult someone else just to be mean.
SeriouslyJul 5th 2010 11:44AM
Yes, what we really need is more instant information about great frappucino. Now that is fabulous reporting...