U.S. Rescue Bogs Down in Lebanon

LATimes ^ | July 18, 2006 | Megan K. Stack

[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.

[Tammy8]

a judge in France

That's real nice Peach- I was referring to French leadership, political leaders- you know the policy makers? And you could only think of one Frenchman that has helped us? Does that tell you anything?

[Peach]

Oh, hon. You've posted that simultaneous BikerBar was banned for arguing with a mod and maybe I'd get you banned for arguing with me. Which is it?

You've posted that I didn't answer something that freeper asked but you seemingly can't find it because you haven't shown me which question that was.

You've not admitted that BikerBar was caught in a few lies.

You've insisted I tell everyone on the thread that you're not a liar when I've already done that not once but twice (at least).

Then you get upset because I said "you all are entitled to your opinion..."

I could go on but you get the idea.

[Peach]

Spoken by the Drama Queen worried I'll get you banned for disagreeing with me, FGS.

[DvdMom]

I think the USA & the RAF should have bombed the train tracks which was leading to the concentration camps .

I think the USA should have allowed the Jewish people a chance to have emigration to the Usa .

Alot of the USA Quotas weren't filled !

The Usa did know about the concentration camps due to JAN KARSKI !!!!!!!!

[Peach]

I'm not disbelieving you about the French Foreign Minister, and maybe I'm just mixing up titles, but I thought I read that the French Foreign Minister expressed great solidarity with the Israeli people.

It was one of the French ministers because I read his statement (in shock) aloud to my husband.

I did read about the Israelis holding up a ship for security concerns; I think it had to do with dual citizenship issues.

[DvdMom]

You also don't seem to have alot of knowledge about what the Jewish people went through during World War 2 .

[Iwo Jima]

And you posted that to me because....?

[Elyse]

The Beruit Freeper. I'm assuming his only TV news coming from CNNi and BBC slant had to add to his fear and frustration - he may not have been himself no matter how many FReepers were trying to assure him the Marines were coming

This is a very good point. I live overseas and all I get are CNN International and the BBC news. You can't assume that even if someone is in Lebanon that they really know what the whole story is on the things that are going on around them.

rebel stated that he had made a mistake by not registering with the US embassy. I think that most of the people who are complaining that the US authorities were not in touch with them were people that had not registered. I've read articles from people who were registered and who said they were recieving communication(they didn't necessarily like what they were hearing, but they were getting communication).

Living overseas, I've thought about what I'd do in a situation like this and I think I know how I'd act if a TV camera was shoved in my face or if I was just posting about my situation on FR, but I really don't know how I would act if I was in the middle of a dire situation.

Anyway, my point is that just like during the Katrina aftermath, you can't take what people in the middle of the situation are saying as proof of anything. People who are scared, do not always have the clearest thoughts and it's human nature to look for someone to blame when the crap hits the fan and the fan is aimed at you.

[Tammy8]

you people

You People? Peach you are posting to me, so I am taking what you say personally- who are "you people" that you are referring to?

You jumped in here on a thread that you were not a part of and did not read well enough to comprehend and not take things out of context. You attacked people for things that other people said. You put words into other's mouths- in short you ticked off a lot of people and one of them ended up banned- please read the thread and you might consider posting directly to those you disagree with about what they posted and use their quotes, you might also want to read the post they were responding to when they posted it and other posts about the same time, following the thread as we were when it was happening. That's known as context. Does that make sense? You are making a fool of yourself, but don't feel bad- you are not alone.

I stand by my posts, and no one elses. I am not pregnant, and don't have a mouse in my pocket- so it sure seems like you are lumping me with everyone else you don't agree with when you say "you all" and "you people"

Once again, please go read my posts to this thread and then if you disagree- feel free to quote me and respond to me about it.

[Tammy8]

Have I posted something that makes you think I am ignorant of history? I really don't need history lessons from you right now, and nothing you are trying to enlighten me about has been new to me. If you think France is truly our friend, right now today- I disagree. If you think France has not been snuggling with terrorists- I disagree with that too; but you are entitled to your opinion.

[Peach]

Tammy -

Once again:

1. You all -- my post clearly said "you all are entitled to believe what you wish,". And you're taking offense at THAT? I'm tempted to stop there because if you're offended by that or don't understand, I'm not sure we can communicate. But since I'm sure you mean well...

2. I jumped on a thread I wasn't part of? Is there a rule I'm unaware of that one must be on a thread from the beginning before posting?

3. It seems maybe you aren't reading my posts with BikerGal if you can say I've attacked people for things they didn't say. She clearly said things I didn't say and when challenged to back them up, she couldn't.

4. She got banned for reasons only the mods know but I'm assuming it's for arguing with the mods.

5. Why don't you show me where I've put words in someone's mouth?

6. Why don't you tell me what I've taken out of context? It's true that some freepers have said that Rebel is angry for having to pay for extraction, that he supports Hezbollah, and that he's on vacation. You know those things aren't true.

You have a good evening.

[Peach]

A voice of reason and a very good post.

[Peach]

And I'm seeing where you're getting another "you people".

As you suggested to me, it might be helpful if you included a link or posting # to people.

When I said you people were paranoid about being banned - you said you were afraid you'd be banned for disagreeing with me. You're one of several who said that. That accounts for the "you people" comment.

[Tammy8]

Nice dodge on not providing proof that I was lying or stating flat out that I was not who you were referring to- since you posted that directly to me.

What questions? repost them to me in question form and I will reply. You have certainly not been replying to all my questions for you either- why is that?

[conservative in nyc]

I named the wrong French minister: French Prime Minister/Premier de Villepin was the one who went to Beirut. From the WSJ timeline, July 17:

11:15 a.m.: French Premier Dominique de Villepin arrived in Beirut on a mission to express solidarity with a country under siege and bombardment by Israel. Villepin is the highest-level foreign official to visit the country since the crisis began last week. France said his visit was aimed only at showing support, but it comes as the U.N. and European Union are launching diplomatic efforts to end the crisis.
I did read about the Israelis holding up a ship for security concerns; I think it had to do with dual citizenship issues.

The Israelis boarded the ship before it docked in Beirut because it was vetting the Lebanese heading home. From the current AP article about the ship landing in Cyprus:

The Orient Queen arrived in Beirut on Tuesday night. It was held up en route by Israeli ships because it had Lebanese on board, who had been taking a cruise in the eastern Mediterranean when the fighting began.

The State Department is now claiming that the evacuation was being held up in part for safety reasons. They probably wanted assurances from Israel that they wouldn't shoot, and to get the USS Gonzales into position just in case Hezbollah decided to do something stupid. They might have been willing to try an evacuation without the Gonzales in place if Hezbollah didn't shoot a missile at an Israeli warship. Getting your ducks in a row take time - especially when you're evacuating people in the middle of a war zone on the other side of the world.

[Peach]

Nice dodge on not providing proof that I was lying or stating flat out that I was not who you were referring to- since you posted that directly to me.

Now you're being ridiculous. This has been answered at least twice.

Here's a suggestion: Do a screen search under my posting name. You'll see all my posts to you. Read them carefully. Because clearly you've missed a few things posted directly to you about this matter on this thread this evening.

[Peach]

Thanks for finding those links; I wasn't challenging to that extent but it's appreciated.

I had thought I heard the French Defense Minister (that might not be the exact title but that's what he's in charge of) did support Israel earlier in the week and I was pleased.

de Villepin is an oily snake and not to be trusted.

Regarding the ports and ships, someone posted on the live thread that the ships doing extractions are accompanied by military ships for security reasons, and that's smart.

I think Hezbollah took out an Egyptian ship last week (accidentally).

[conservative in nyc]

I'm reading all of your posts, and all I see is YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU.

This is thread is once again descending into a pointless flame war. Try avoiding the word "you" when posting. It might ratchet the rhetoric down a bit.

Thanks.

[Peach]

Good point.

[daybreakcoming]

You can't assume that even if someone is in Lebanon that they really know what the whole story is on the things that are going on around them.

Exactly right. Contagious rumors and speculation flying all about you and all you know is your lifeline, the American Embassy has not called you - then you find out they don't even know of you. We've been in two very unstable armpit of the world countries and not only did we register - we made friends with staff. :o)

Anyway, my point is that just like during the Katrina aftermath, you can't take what people in the middle of the situation are saying as proof of anything. People who are scared, do not always have the clearest thoughts and it's human nature to look for someone to blame when the crap hits the fan and the fan is aimed at you.

And an excellent synopsis. We all hope we would be self-sufficient and have all our wits about us but as I said earlier, pray God we never get caught up in the middle of a war to find out.

I hope you are in a wonderful and safe part of the world.