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 ...
Thanks for some sanity. I have been fuming over the people saying "it's a beautiful vacation spot". Maybe at one time, not now. Are we really checking these people out who want to come back to the good old USA now? Were they there to plot and plan more attacks, is Osama waiting in line to get on the cruise ship? Where is that dip###t??? Anyone who is not there for a job should be given the once over 3 times.
You went for a vacation????
To the extent that Hezbollah's troopies are disciplined. you are correct. And I do not believe that it is Hezbollah per se that operates these SSMs. It's the pasdaran. THEY are creeps indeed, but you can't call them indisciplined.
You WILL be evacuated. It looks like chaos because to some extent it IS chaos. In your position you can't see who is bringing order out of the chaos and how. What you can do is have one bag per American packed with the stuff that's vital. As long as Beirut remains permissive you will probably be told where to go, where you'll mill around ("hurry up and wait") and get on a truck or on a bus. The bus will take you to the port or to an airfield that is open. Then you have a long ride crammed like a sardine in a plane or a boat with hundreds of other complaining people.
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
I don think the dead in Northern Israel think its a pr war, or the 2 soldiers that were kidnapped HMMM
I'm dead serious, there are many, many tourists in Israel and bombs are landing there too. Tourists can currently go to the South for Safety, but even TelAviv seems to have potential of getting hit. Honestly, I'm not trying to sound idiotic or sarcastic, I just have not heard about evacuating foreigners from Israel at this time, which appears to be getting hit by many bombs. So, please (with a little grace) please educate me on this subject.
You raise an interesting point I had not thought of: what if some terrorists get hold of fake American credentials that will allow them to get "rescued" and transported back to the US at our government's expense? If there was ever a need for "racial and ethnic profiling," it should be done in screening the American evacuees.
I agree to all that you said; that does not excuse his blame game against Israel, US State Dept. etc, etc. I have yet to hear what the company he works for has done to help him get out. I do understand that he does not want to go to Syria. What I do not understand is his expecting Uncle Sam to drop everything and rescue him instantly. He needs to be more realistic if he plans to work in foreign countries. He needs to concentrate on how to get out of the situation he is in, he needs to listen to well thought out advice. He is only wasting his time blaming Israel and US policy and agencies. His first few posts were to blame Israel for his plight, As far as what he has posted Israel had nothing to do with him being there and as far as I know they have no obligation for his safety and welfare.
That's right. The terrorists would love that. So would the left. They could all have a big laugh. They complain because it takes to long to get people out, people who should be responsible for themselves, IMHO, so then we don't check ID's as well as we should and then the bad guys will be on our helicopters with our precious troops. Just like 9/11 when it wouldn't have been PC to double check the middle eastern men boarding the planes. So right now it is Bush's fault we are not moving fast enough. Then when something bad happens, Cindy S. and and Hillary can say," see, Bush failed again, vote for us, we can protect you"
Sorry for the rant, I can't take it.
Ah--the tourists. Gotcha. It's a good question. I think, though, Israel still has airline service, doesn't it? They can get out on their own, can't they? [I actually hadn't thought about any of this.]
Good point, they still have their airports running. Thanks.
I certainly sympathize with you, but the US has 25,000 citizens there! I think logistically it is a tougher job for the US than for France. Plus, with 25,000 people calling (as well as worried relatives from the US), of course they can't answer every call in a timely manner!!
The only way to get evacuated is to get to an area where you can be avacuated. In this type of situation, sitting tight and waiting for evacuation may not be the best approach, even if the US Emabssy and Consulates say it is. Things can change in a second, especialy if this goes regional.
That may be dangerous, however, because I can only guess Hizbullah and their cronies are not to pro-American at the moment since we came out firmly on the side of Israel.
Can you get to Jordan or Israel?
I have no idea. You'll have to ask the IMF or rebel_yell2.
IMF told him to go with the UN convoy to Syria...he said forgetaboutit!
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p=us+marines+lebanon&rs=0&c=images
36 pictures of US Marines on the ground, taking 360 Americans out....others took French, Italian and UK ships, and many more expected to leave tomorrow
I am keeping you in my thoughts & prayers...and really appreciate the updates you post. Good Luck!!!
Evacuations of Americans, without risking more of our soldiers, is difficult.
Leave it to a FR newbie to get himself in this predicament. :-)
Sorry for my delay in replying - My isp went down and I could not connect to the internet.
On TV they are clearly showing footage people who were getting on the ferry yesterday were lined up at the dock in a single line and everyone in line was being checked (Id's, passports, carry-on bags) before they were allowed to walk on to the ferry.
I would assume safety measures are being taken because it would be so easy for some suicide bomber to get on one of these ships or ferries if there was a huge rush to get people on the vessels without checking out who they are and what is in their carry-ons.
They showed footage of 100's of people waiting near hotels with buses in the heart of Beirut. The buses are then taking the people to the port so that they can get on one of the docked vessels.
Dang, it was too cold to stop....how'd I know you were not faking it? ;^)
July 18, 2006
By Debbie Schlussel
Most Americans in Lebanon Are Hezbollah Supporters; U.S. Taxes Shouldn't Fund Their Return. One thing is lost in all the press coverage of the whining Americans who went to Lebanon of their own accord and now want us to pick up the tab to get them out.
THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS IN LEBANON ARE HEZBOLLAH SUPPORTERS.
Apparently, MOST (24,000) of the Americans in Lebanon are dual citizens.
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.