Fiona Hill was the Russian director at the National Security Council. Excepts of the transcript of her testimony were reported by Rachel Maddow on November 8, 2019. For her willingness to testify before Congress, she has been subject to threats, as she reported Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch was, who was even threatened during her public testimony (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/why-trump-attacked-marie-yovanovitch/602134/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=edit-promo&utm_term=2019-11-16T14%3A40%3A15&utm_campaign=the-atlantic&fbclid=IwAR1xQ_sdZxgYdqtOj5kcEKEJs5G-j7EGW05SKbx_mU6ZNJ41ZbP_EDGhi68). Similarly, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the Ukraine expert at the NSC has been publicly attacked for his Ukrainian Jewish background. All of these professionals are career public servants. Civil servants, like the military, are usually underpaid for their skills and expertise (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/14/opinion/taylor-kent-impeachment-hearings.html?fbclid=IwAR1boEXJKEvDfDI43yGEzI4OyQcyyFd2WYY_mYzU_vNnl8Q4_Rg3Q30DjFk). They work for the good of society and their country.
While I don't recall meeting Marie Yovanovitch in Kyrgyzstan, I may well have. She was ambassador there from November, 2004 to February, 2008 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Yovanovitch). I made two trips to Kyrgyzstan in 2006 and 2007. I recall a fund-raising reception for Kyrgyz orphans sponsored jointly by the American and German embassies. Since I was there while in the process of two of these orphans, it made sense to attend the reception and donate to the cause. I recall that all the embassy staff I met both at the reception and the embassy there were very professional. They made the adoption process flow smoothly. This professionalism has been true at all the embassies I have visited over the years.
I can vouch for this, not only from the articles, but also growing up the child of two civil servants. Many other relatives also served, either in civil service or the military. They tend not to be partisan, and cannot express publicly their political opinions. These individuals often can make more outside of government, as was certainly the case for my parents. Yet, they chose public service, and impressed that ideal on me (though I have mostly worked in county hospitals).
The individuals who are being called to testify are demonstrating their love of country and loyalty despite the threats they must face for doing so. They have sworn loyalty to the Constitution and to defend the nation "against all enemies, foreign and domestic." They are continuing to do so.
While I don't recall meeting Marie Yovanovitch in Kyrgyzstan, I may well have. She was ambassador there from November, 2004 to February, 2008 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Yovanovitch). I made two trips to Kyrgyzstan in 2006 and 2007. I recall a fund-raising reception for Kyrgyz orphans sponsored jointly by the American and German embassies. Since I was there while in the process of two of these orphans, it made sense to attend the reception and donate to the cause. I recall that all the embassy staff I met both at the reception and the embassy there were very professional. They made the adoption process flow smoothly. This professionalism has been true at all the embassies I have visited over the years.
I can vouch for this, not only from the articles, but also growing up the child of two civil servants. Many other relatives also served, either in civil service or the military. They tend not to be partisan, and cannot express publicly their political opinions. These individuals often can make more outside of government, as was certainly the case for my parents. Yet, they chose public service, and impressed that ideal on me (though I have mostly worked in county hospitals).
The individuals who are being called to testify are demonstrating their love of country and loyalty despite the threats they must face for doing so. They have sworn loyalty to the Constitution and to defend the nation "against all enemies, foreign and domestic." They are continuing to do so.
