Posted on 07/18/2006 12:46:21 AM PDT by rebel_yell2
BEIRUT — Thousands of Americans whose vacations and business trips to Lebanon have degenerated with sickening speed into stints in a battle zone remained stranded here under Israeli bombardment Monday, their frustration and anger mounting because the U.S. government hasn't gotten them out faster.
Waiting around Beirut with bags packed and fingers crossed, U.S. citizens derided the embassy for busy phone lines, a lack of information and gnawing uncertainty over when and whether they will get out. Hundreds were expected to be shipped to Cyprus today, but how long the full evacuation will take remains uncertain.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Knock what off?
Am I supposed to stop responding to the personal attacks, stop praying for RY2's safety, stop defending the USA and her allies? Or is something else I'm supposed to knock off?
I just finished reading a news story via pilotonline.com. It appears that we are moving folks out rather quickly now. Maybe not fast enough for the fashion student from Boston, but they're moving them out all the same. I wonder if they're gonna take 'em to the Superdome and then on to the Astrodome. I'm sure whatever they do, someone will be complaining that they didn't get their orange dreamsicle or bottle of water at the right moment.
From the news story, I got that the Embassy in Beirut made phone calls to those who registered, and they let them know where to go to catch the bus to the cruise ship. It would have been stupid to tell folks to meet someplace when they had nowhere to go.
I'm thinking that Rebel would have been in touch today if he/she were still at the hotel.
I had the sense we were moving people more quickly now too. I don't know if that fashion student is the same one I heard in the car, but she complained about everything: the heat, the flies, no food, the lines, etc.
She was waaaay out of line, imo.
Oh, I'll hope he's on that ship! I thought I saw a post yesterday that he expects to leave on Thursday, but maybe he got bumped up.
Rebel, let us know when you are safe!
I saw that too. He hasn't posted in a while, maybe that means he's on the move.
I've been following Rebel's posts since last week when this all started and you have accurately stated that he supports Israel, the US, the military and is angry at the State Department (get in line on that one) and the jihadists.
He's at times disappointed with Israel with the closing of the port because it will make rescue efforts more difficult and time consuming. I'm sure there are plenty of people with the president's administration who aren't exactly delighted that Israel closed that port and they aren't the ones stuck having bombs exploding all around them.
And you're right - he's not on vacation and he did register with the appropriate parties and organizations. He's working, for crying out loud. (Sorry - I'm just frustrated at the outright lies being told about him)
What is astonishing to me is to read the slams against Americans going outside of the country for a vacation. As if that were a crime in itself.
Not that I would choose Saudi Arabia for a vacation, mind you... LOL.
I don't like traveling to the northeast (too many liberals - LOL) so you can imagine I don't even consider places like Saudi Arabia. LOL
I'm hoping he's on the move and not just discouraged at some of the ugly posts on this thread and others.
I was trying to support rebel_yell2 all day yesterday.
He was accused of hateing the Usa & Israel. Told he was a moron for vacationing in Lebanon ( when he was just doing his job ) . He was accused of lieing about even being in Lebanon. He was branded a newbie . He was told he deserved what he get's because he is in an Arab country etc... He was accused alot ! I was disgusted reading mean comments to him. He only asked for advice when he started the thread freeper trapped in Lebanon. He has been a freeper since 1998 .
If you see that happening again, please ping me and I'll help you defend him. I've been on a few threads doing that but haven't paid that much attention until this thread caught my interest because it seemed like he was taking the most heat here.
I'll tell you one thing -- good freepers do NOT act like this. Even if good freepers have a few suspicions, they keep them to themselves until they see something that proves their suspicions.
The day I don't support a freeper in a war zone is the day I'll leave Free Republic.
Me too.
Ugly is the right word. At times, I cannot believe how horrible fellow freepers can be towards each other. The poor guy didn't do anything wrong.
And, I meant to say (I hit that post button too quickly) is: Thank you for supporting and defending Rebel.
If I were ever in a crisis and came to FR hoping to vent, I'd hope that people would just understand the emotionalism involved in the crisis and let me vent unless I got outright ugly.
My dad needed emergency surgery a few months ago and I drove my mom and him to the hospital at 9:30 in the morning and didn't get home until 12:30 at night. I was worried, hot, tired, hungry, and angry (unreasonably) at the doctor not taking my father FIRST into surgery.
If I'd had a computer in front of me, ya'll would have heard an earful and it would have been way more unreasonable and whiny than anything Rebel has come close to posting.
And that's for someone who was 10 minutes from home but hungry and tired, not fearful of bombs exploding all around me or worried Iran was going to drop a big one on the area.
Thanks , I will remember to ping you .
I wish you were around yesterday ;)
Thanks , Dvdmom
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.