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 ...
"Self-reliant" will drop you straight into the Lake of Fire
No, I don't want anything to happen to you, but
"but" monkey.
If Kofi is sending the Blue Helmets, get out your women and children now.
This way they won't be raped.
After they rape the locals, they will run and hide when they are taken hostage by Hezzbollah.
It isn't news that Iran runs the hezzies. It also isn't news that war strategies are not real predicatble. Going to what is in essence a terrorist country because the entire country is subjected to retributory attack.
If I was in a jihad declared firm targeted offshore, I'd get armed or get out.
You don't sound nearly as bad as that other compassionate poster.
Prayers for the stranded.. I never thought the US government was reponsible for my safetly when I travelled overseas, however.
This is what the US advisory for Lebanon, dated Jan. 20, 2006, stated:
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Recent events in Lebanon underscore the need for caution and sound personal security precautions. Former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri was assassinated on February 14, 2005 in a car bomb attack in which 22 people were killed and many others seriously wounded; the potential for violence remains. Since February 2005, there have been 15 separate bombings in Lebanon, resulting in ten dead and 121 wounded.
Americans have been the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon in the past. The perpetrators of many of these attacks are still present and retain the ability to act. American citizens should thus keep a low profile, varying times and routes for all required travel. Americans should also pay close attention to their personal security at locations where Westerners are generally known to congregate, and should avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. Unofficial travel to Lebanon by U.S. Government employees and their family members requires prior approval by the Department of State.
U.S. citizens who travel to Lebanon should exercise heightened caution when traveling in parts of the southern suburbs of Beirut, portions of the Bekaa Valley and South Lebanon, and the cities of Sidon and Tripoli. Hizballah has not been disarmed. It maintains a strong presence in many of these areas, and there is potential for action by other extremist groups in the city of Tripoli. Tensions remain in Lebanon's southern border with the possibility of Hizballah and Palestinian militant activity at any time.
Palestinian groups hostile to both the Lebanese government and the U.S. operate largely autonomously inside refugee camps in different areas of the country. Intra-communal violence within the camps has resulted in violent incidents such as shootings and explosions. Travel by U.S. citizens to Palestinian camps should be avoided. Asbat al-Ansar, a terrorist group with apparent links to Al-Qaida, has targeted Lebanese, U.S. and other foreign government interests. It has been outlawed by the Lebanese government but continues to maintain a presence in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.
In addition, dangers posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance throughout south Lebanon are significant and also exist in other areas where civil war fighting was intense.
Yeah, it sounds like a lovely vacation spot. I feel sorry for the Americans that are stuck there right now, but I don't think the US should be ready at the drop of a dime to evacuate thousands of people who freely went to a place that was already known to be dangerous.
I doubt that. Syria is probably planning for the next war. Since Iran doesn't have nukes yet, they are trying to bide their time. This doesn't mean that Syria isn't behind all of this, they probably are. They are trying to divide our forces and sow uncertainty. In reality, NK, Iran, and Syria are probably all working in concert.
Syria will let Americans pass through, but will probably give some incentives to stay, for future use. If Israel invades, Syria will survive since Israel is not large enough to support an occupying force (Syria and Iran combined have 12 times the population of Israel). The only power Syria really has to fear in the Middle East is the US. Only by making the US withdraw its interests from the Middle East will Syria ever be able to destroy Israel.
Okay, directing remarks of a condescending nature to a guy in a war zone is most definitely over the top.
And I have a hunch that the foreign firm you are working for in the jihadi zone would be a little more hands on to your benefit than you state.
Just a hunch.
Contractors in Iraq have security protection built into their contracts, for one thing. For another, they know the risks and are willing to take them because the pay is so lucrative. They aren't there getting in the way or la-de-da vacationing. Third, our military is already there, so an exit strategy is easier to put into play.
The Syrians will get them to stay and by the time Israel is ready to attack they will be hostages. Mark my words.
How is that a promise to get him out?
Rebel_yell2 said, "Hmmmm, let me think about it - No." "Uh, you did say you'd think about it."
"I did."
"It doesn't seem like you thought about it at all."
"o.k., I'll think about it again...No."
"Later, we're bugging out."
"See ya, I'm neither a Democrat, nor an idiot. I'm going to catch the bus with the U.S. Marines. I am not going to Syria."
Rebel_yell2 is indeed on The List AFAIK, and would've evac'd on the French ferry this Monday, if but for it already being full.
Big governments move slow. Oddly enough I was pounding away on this keyboard last year, along with a few fellow freepers, and we were starting to worry about flooding in New Orleans. The levees had started to fail and the bowl was filling. At that time President Bush was just a few miles away from me opening some senior recreation home. What many tried to organize back then was a private boat lift similar to the British Dunkirk evacuation. If you were near the coast of America we could help you. The private rescuers along the New Orleans coast only had to worry about ganstas with guns. The thugs in your neighborhood unfortunately have cruise missiles. You do really need a small private boat flotilla. Probably should not expect any of the Elites with their seldom used yachts, many tied up at Monaco no doubt, to be of any help.
French effciency. . .or something else?
Meantime, hope things are better for Americans today.
Why would I want to go to Ahab when I've posted about how stupid it is to be with Ahab in the first place? The ones who want to be with Ahab are the ones with Ahab, and they're the ones whining about it, not the rest of us whose judgment keeps us out of dangerous countries as vacation destinations.
DUH.
"They go to Lebanon and then rely on the governemnt to get them out if their is trouble. The last person I know that went to Lebanon ened up as a hostage. I said it then and I will say it again years later, why would anyone risk going there?"
On business paerhaps? On vacation? I have done both in Beirut. It is (or was) a fantastic city.
Wandering around the bars and cafes at night you would never have sensed any feeing of threat.
When will the Federal Government rescue the people of NJ from Governor Corslime?
You, as an America-hater, must be enjoying the suffering of the Americans stuck there. The difference between you and me is I don't want anything to happen to any of them, but you do. I just think they were dumb to put themselves there.
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.