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.

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

Hang tough!

[conservative in nyc]

And how many are stupid enough to travel under the protection of the UN?

--Snip--

Why does that make his case better? I think it makes it worse. Let the IMF get him out.

It's not like we have a high opinion of the IMF or what they do.

(And numerous similar comments)

What would you rather have: a bunch of American-hating foreigners running NGOs like the UN and the IMF or doing business around the world, or FReepers and other Americans?

It's a dirty job (and something that I personally would not want to do), but somebody's got to do it. Better one of our own than someone who hates us.

Let's take a poll. How many Freepers have EVER registered with the U.S. State Dept when traveling abroad? I now return you to the regular schedule of pointless finger pointing mostly by people who never travel abroad.

Have I ever registered with the State Department when traveling abroad? No. But I've never been to a country that was subject to a travel warning. Would I have registered had I visited one of those countries? Maybe, but honestly, probably not.

[Rushmore Rocks]

Thanks for the good wishes.

Anyone wishing to evacuate should be screened. We have enough terrorists sneaking in. I understand the caution that is being exercised.

I hope the one who blasted me does not rely on his paycheck from a company that does business internationally. I can think of very few businesses that do not have some involvement with imports or exports from overseas.

Good news about our favorite horse, Barbaro. Glad to hear it. Jack surviving that Texas heat OK?

[Clara Lou]

This is traditional American thinking which you denigrate.
So, now you're speaking for Americans? And, by the way, I haven't denigrated anything. I said you had a closed mind, and the more you post, the more I know I'm right in thinking that.

[thackney]

Sea, Air Evacuations Proceed from Lebanon
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1668094/posts
Posted on 07/18/2006 3:06:39 PM AKDT by SandRat

[Tammy8]

You obviously haven't been reading my posts, which have been coming long before this thread. I did not "blame" Israel or the State Department. I simply pointed out some "inconvenient facts."

As a matter of fact I have been reading your posts, you started the blame game right off the bat, I chose not to reply because I realized you were in a tense life threatening situation and I let what you were saying slide for a while. You needed to face some "inconvenient facts" yourself about working out of the country, I wasn't the only one that pointed out when you are off of US soil as a civilian you are on your own and should be greatful for anything the US government does for you and not expect or demand things that are not the responsibility of the US government.

First, the State Department has done a miserable job of registering and communicating with Americans stranded in Lebanon.

I could be wrong here, but isn't it the responsiblity of the traveler to read State Department warnings and keep up with them, as well as registering with SD on arrival? I would think trying to register in the middle of chaos would be difficult if not impossible. We all make mistakes, and hindsight is great, but if you ever once took any responsibility for your situation I missed it.

Second, Americans stranded in Lebanon could easily depart on their own were it not for the Israeli blockade.

Naval blockades are all but a given in a hostility crisis, it should be considered as part of any plan of foreigners in the ME or elsewhere.

Third, many other countries have done a far more effective job of getting their (and, in many cases, our) citizens out of Lebanon; for example, France, Italy and Sweden.

First of all most other countries are not in the same situation the US is in as far as sheer numbers of citizens as well as policies in the area, so it really is comparing apples and oranges.

I am not worried about my situation; I am pretty safe in my current location.

I assumed that from your posts, you did not seem as concerned with solutions as with blaming.

I am worried about Freepers who turn into cannibals that eat their own if they think Israel is criticized.

It wasn't so much the criticism of Israel- as you constantly looking for someone else to blame for your situation.

I am worried about Freepers who exhibit appalling and often racist ignorance of developing countries.

I have no racist ignorance- I have never claimed to be an expert on ME issues- I do have a Lebanese SIL and she has said many times that Lebanon cannot be fixed if it is not first conquered by someone with the power to rid it of the stranglehold of terrorism. I never made any racist comments toward any group in the ME- you playing the race card is pretty funny, that tactic is loosing it's power though so you really should think of a new one.

I am worried about Freepers who are ignorant of the work that NGOs (including USAID) do in these countries to promote democracy and western society.

I freely admit I am ignorant of the specific work these organizations do, I generally feel they are a good thing though- I have no idea what that has to do with your attitude which is what I was addressing in my posts. I never questioned the need for someone to be in Lebanon doing your job- you just need to be more realistic about foreign travel, or maybe you personally are not cut out for it.

I am distressed with what I have seen today, not here in Lebanon, as much as what I have seen here in the posts at Free Republic.

I am distressed as well, I am distressed that someone as obviously well educated as you are does not understand that when you leave US soil, the US is no longer responsible for you.

At the same time, my heart is lifted by the kindness and thoughfulness of so many others I have corresponded with here at Free Republic.

I don't really care whether you believe this or not, but I have been concerned about your well being and all others who are caught in the chaos right now- I was hoping you would decide to quit the blame game and work on solutions, unfortunately it never happened.

I'm sure that each of you know who fits into these last two groups.

I don't care what group you choose to put me in, I consider myself a realist and I hope you are fairly young- because if you are you will learn the difference between what would be ideal and what is reality the next time you face hardship.

Goodnight. I hope that my next post comes to you later this week from Chicago.

I hope the next post I read from you, that you are safe at home. I also hope when you are safe at home you will reflect on the realities of foreign travel and if you choose to continue to travel to other countries you will do more advance planning.

[Rushmore Rocks]

Thank you.

[publana]

Keep your chin up and your head low. Meanwhile, we will all be praying for your safe evacuation. :)

[churchillbuff]

BULLSH*T. This article is ABSOLUTELY ACCURATE. """

Better watch out, rebel-yell2, there have been some posters around here who've suggested that anybody who visits Lebanon must be a terrorist supporter who (they imply if they don't spell it out) deserves no pity.

[Iwo Jima]

It's a dirty job (and something that I personally would not want to do), but somebody's got to do it.

No they don't. We don't need --in fact it is very essential that we NOT have -- a UN or an IMF or a [fill in the blank NGO].

[churchillbuff]

I am distressed as well, I am distressed that someone as obviously well educated as you are does not understand that when you leave US soil, the US is no longer responsible for you. """

Is that also true for an Israeli who isn't on Israeli soil? Is Israel no longer responsible for him? Even if he's under fire (or kidnapped)? Or is it only American citizens who (in your estimation) don't deserve aggressive defense from their government?

[churchillbuff]

rebel, you're learning first hand that the primary loyalty and concern of a lot of freepers is for the interests of Israel, over and above the interests of US citizens. If Israel is bombing areas where there are American civilians, a lot of freepers seem to side AGAINST the Americans.

[conservative in nyc]

Most are sunni muslims, and generally support "hisbull$hit" because their parents/aunts/uncles still live in LEB.

Hezbollah is a Shi'ia terrorist group. Shi'ia and Sunnis often don't get along. In addition, 40% of Lebanese are Christian. It is not a 100% Muslim nation.

My cousin's wife was one of the American University students studying in Beirut. A call to the office of Sen. Lugar (my cousin is from Indiana) and two days later, she's out.

Quite frankly, it makes a lot of sense to get the American University kids out first. They're largely naive, concentrated in one well-known location, and prime kidnap targets. I think they would have been one of the first groups evacuated, regardless of pressure placed by any Senator's office.

If we didn't live in a P.C. world, serious consideration would be given to evacuating those who look least the Lebanese first because the kidnapping risk to them is a bit higher, all other things being equal.

[DvdMom]

I Appreciate what you have been saying Rushmore Rocks

Trying To Clarify for newcomers

rebel_yell2 is a freeper member (since 1998 ) who is stuck in Lebanon

rebel_yell2 is NOT on vacation in Lebanon


rebel_yell2 works for the international monterary fund & that is why he is there.

rebel_yell2 of course asked for help from the IMF . IMF ONLY Option they Offered was to evacuate everyone to Syria

rebel_yell2 was NOT going to go to Syria ! ( Hostages , human shields etc..... )

rebel_yell2 in his prior posts stated he blames Syria & Iran

rebel_yell2 also stated he had a friend a former ambassador trying to help him but he still is having diffuclty in trying to get out.

rebel_yell2 stated in prior posts that he contributed to George Bush's re-election Campaign

rebel_yell2 - I learned of rebel_yell2 situation when he asked for Fellow Freepers HELP & ADVICE A Few days ago

I would rather have good conseratives in the IMF like rebel_yell2

If I was stranded in Lebanon , I Would want PRAYERS & WELL-WISHES !!!

[Iwo Jima]

I don't know why you addressed your post to me. My views on Israel are different from what you infer and are largely irrelevant to this discussion.

My opinion would be the same regardless of country. For example, I opposed the Granada invasion. Those medical students should not have been rescued by the American military. If it were well-established that no one can count on rescue from the American government under such circumstances, far less people would put themselves in risky conditions. They would make better choices.

[KC Burke]

May the next twenty-four hours bring you some good news and passage. It is always different when you view world events from the inside and get to converse with those viewing it from a poor vantage point.

[conservative in nyc]

No they don't. We don't need --in fact it is very essential that we NOT have -- a UN or an IMF or a [fill in the blank NGO].

Until we don't have a UN or an IMF or a [fill in the blank NGO], I'd rather Americans have as much influence in them as possible. Better those organizations serve our interests than those of American-hating foreigners.

And most NGOs aren't as useless as the UN usually is.

[4woodenboats]

If I was stranded in Lebanon , I Would want PRAYERS & WELL-WISHES !!!

Amen!!

[Iwo Jima]

I disagree. Without American involvement, those organizations would crumble, as they should. The entire world, not just the United States, would be immensely better off.

If "American-hating foreigners" want to form an "I Hate America" club, let them. Better that they do that on their own than to help them make it a "better," more effective "I Hate America" club.

[CindyDawg]

I pray that yall remain safe. You aren't going anywhere right now though, it seems. God didn't give you a worrisome spirit. Help is coming. Please be a good ambassador while you wait. You represent us.