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.

[reagandemo]

Yep and did you catch the college student on Fox the other morning by phone when she could not help it at the end of her conversations that Bush could have prevented this because he did not do enough? These people are INSANE! Who are the most delusional the Terrorists or the left wing nuts?

[AmericanInTokyo]

I am coming to the conclusion (at least in comparing the reaction of foreign media to their coverage of the plight of their citizens in war and natural disaster zones) that the average American must really carry a very weak if any concept of just why Americans go overseas (outside of tourism or US military assignments), or just how many of them are in any one foreign country at any time for a variety of legitimate reasons. They would be amazed to know there are at least 30,000 US citizens for example in Seoul, South Korea in all lines of work. However, it is a short distance from tens of thousands of DPRK artillery pieces. Many Americans are sent somewhere because of their job and their loyalty to it. I understand this lack of grasp, with not more than 7% of Americans holding passports and so few involved in international travel, there is a great lack of understanding of just why many other Americans are overseas at any given time--and are shocked to see the need when such a massive emergency evac becomes necessary. I don't see this sentiment in the UK. I don't see it in Germany. I don't see it in Italy. Don't see it in Japan. Never saw it or read it in Korea. Never sensed it in Spain or Poland or India.

I guess the solution is to just come completely home--with the exception of US military in absolutely necessary situations, allow no more civilian Americans overseas--which is increasingly dangerous, just all off the country, and enjoy our own land in perfect peace and insularity.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Classic American bureaucratic screw ups. Just like flying United or American Airlines in the US. We pay taxes for these services, in fact we have already paid for them; when push comes to shove, things just 'don't work'.

Quality control, customer service, thoroughness, exactness...many things missing from American federal and state and local government, health care world and private business/commerce. It seems to get worse every year--whether Democrats or Republicans are in charge--I would say a worse under the Democrats after even more agressive 'affirmative action' and lack of performance parameters. You can see the decay a lot more clearly, often, from a vantage point of far away (abroad). I think most Americans living in the US have had services erode so slowly that they have lost any ability to challenge things, demand better service, or even have the consciousness of how bad the standards have dipped in comparison with many other countries.

[oceanview]

and I also heard additional people complaining they had to pay for passage on the cruise ships.

[Rte66]

Just heard that 320 Americans will be transported out this evening and another 1000 tomorrow. Sounds like a numbers game.

[oceanview]

I thought I heard that a US chartered cruise ship was leaving cyprus this morning - and its a 5 hour ride to lebanon. was that correct?

[DvdMom]

rebel_yell 2 has been a freeper since 1998 .

rebel_yell2 is unfortunatly there because of his job . He works for the International Montery Fund .

rebel_yell2 did not want to be evacuated to Syria !!! I agree with fellow posters that any Americans going to Syria are at risk for hostage situations , & human sheilds situations & etc...

rebel_yell2 is Stuck in a warzone , & is Deserving Of Our Help & Prayers !

[FreedomPoster]

I really don't think they think rationally like we do. While *I* would certainly look at it that way, there's no telling what this loons might try to pull.

[GregB]

Yes things will move along better now,has not that area been a dangerous place even lately?

[rbmillerjr]

Hope you get out soon. Whatever you do, don't panic and make a rash decision to go to Syria by road.

There are 2200 Marines that will be offshore very soon, so if Hezzbolah gets froggy they will be in their quick on hovercraft and choppers.

I know it's frustrating but remember that the US is planning on between 5-15,000 possible evacuees and you are a number right now. There are probably thousands of Americnas constantly calling State and the embassy.

You are there as a member of the IMF, correct. It seems that it would be much easier for them to get IMF personnel out of there (as the numbers are much lower). Did they not have any kind of contingency plans for something like this in such a volatile area?

[AmericanInTokyo]

rebel_yell 2 has been a freeper since 1998 . rebel_yell2 is unfortunatly there because of his job . He works for the International Montery Fund . rebel_yell2 did not want to be evacuated to Syria !!! I agree with fellow posters that any Americans going to Syria are at risk for hostage situations , & human sheilds situations & etc... rebel_yell2 is Stuck in a warzone , & is Deserving Of Our Help & Prayers !

You said it!

Hear Hear.

Sheesh, I cannot believe the cruelty and stupidity of some people's comments on this thread--it is embarrassing and almost inhuman. Totally without a clue. Totally insular. I guess some people are capable of that, though, the armchair warriors and theorists we all so impersonally are here on FR.

[romanesq]

Perhaps not officially but people retain their other passports even though they pledge loyalty to the United States. i've heard its common.

[kayak]

Continuing to follow your saga and continuing to pray for your safety and well-being.

[romanesq]

It's the independent self-reliance crowd that is harping and harping on their philosophy here, damn be the facts.

I believe in it too, but for heaven's sake, some room for compassion please.
As I mentioned, some of these are repeated posters, others just jump right in and don't have the basic facts re: the gent we are discussing is there for the IMF.

Like I said, some of these people will drive right past you in a highway accident.
It's your own fault you got in an accident on the highway, don't ya know.

(Yeah been there done that. On a remote, snowy road. Cars just kept going.)

[DvdMom]

I agree with you 100 % AmericanInTokyo

I think that alot of people aren't reading the whole thread !!!

In Example : Alot of comments say why why would rebel_yell2 go their on a vacation ???????

FACT : rebel_yell2 is ONLY their because of his job with the International Montery Fund

PLEASE rebel_yell2 There Is Other Like-Minded Freepers , who only wish you the Best & Best Hopes & Prayers for a SAFE return home !

I enjoy reading rebel_yell2 Posts , & Please Keep Posting , rebel_yell2

[A. Pole]

I have never thought of Beirut as vacation destination but what do I know.

Lebanon is one of the best vacation destination. Very beautiful, with great historical sites, mix of ancient Christian and Muslim communities. You can even do skying in the mountains!

Recently Lebanon underwent the democratic revival in which pro-Western government replaced Syrian dominated regime.

Lebanon is the very visitor friendly.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Agreed.

You know, I generally don't expect cars to stop for me when my car breaks down in the snow.

I gave absolutely no federal taxes from my paycheck to each and every of those drivers. That's why.

Agreed.

I generally think a lot of this has to do with the general chaos, and also sinking levels of quality control on the service side, for American businesses and government in general. I think we are all awake to that. As I read of country after country mobilizing and getting their citizens out through various methods (now the French using Greek freighters getting out Japanese), it causes one to think.

This problem (increasing levels of Chinese Fire Drills in American Culture --again, American businesses and government alike--when disasters occur or quick thinking damage control is called for) crosses all political spectrums, is limited in blame to no specific President (i.e. I reject the "It's Bush's fault" positioning of the Left as we speak), but is unfortunately the general and proven decay of service and quality we Americans all have to suffer with most days these days over the last 10 or 20 years or so.

[AmericanInTokyo]

There are MANY, MANY rebel_yell2's over in Lebanon at this exact moment. Many around the world for that matter.

They are Americans. They have paid their federal taxes. They are our brothers. They deserve our help, utmost support and understanding.

[A CA Guy]

That is simply a case of the French not caring who was going as long as they had their passport.

They have a large car burning population of Muslims, so they knew already about who all the Arabic names were.

[Stonewall Jackson]

If you are the child of a US servicemember born in another country, you might have dual citizenship. I was born in Germany and had dual citizenship until I wrote a letter to the German embassy and stated that I renounced my German citizenship. Otherwise, if I happened to set foot on German soil, I would be eligible for the German draft.