Ms. Smedinghoff was a Dept of State Press Officer. When did that position qualify one to be called a "diplomat"?
Well, according to the All Barack Channel's article, Ms. Smedinghoff was an employee of the U.S. Foreign Service. Joined right after college. Her first gig was in Caracas, Venezuela, but then opted for an assignment in A-stan.
I guess becoming a foreign service officer is all you need to be badged a "diplomat."
Everything I've read about this young lady has been laudatory. Granted, it's a tragedy, but what about the other four Americans who were killed by the Taliban's car bomb? Who in the hell were they?
Oh. A DoD civilian, three military, and an Afghan doctor. Unnamed, of course.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-diplomat-killed-afghanistan-wanted-18900383#.UWLvwKLktIE