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 ...
I have been a contract employee in the past. When I went to a hazardous location, it was made clear to me by my employer and the State Dept. that, if the night soil hit the fan, they would do what they could but I was basically on my own. Entirely my choice to go or not.
Hopefully. CHrist, I cannot understand how people are almost happy at the prospect of 25,000 Americans being trapped ina war zone, maybe taken hostages or killed. They are already dismissed as either retards or Hezbollah sympathizers, and I'm now waiting for someone to say that it might be a good thing for the US to get rid of these 25,000 retards who thought holding US citizenship meant anything at all.
Frankly, rebell_yell is right, there IS something cannibalistic about this thread.
Many of them choose to stay, about 5,000 want to leave.
You signed up today to defend your FRiend? How sweet!
I wanted the State to stay the heck out of it. Terri told her husband what she wanted and that is what should have been done. I don't want the State to intervene to determine what it thinks is best for me. But I have a living will and all that to make sure my desires are crystal clear (as does my wife). I eventually gave up on those therads. The handful of us who saw exactly what was happening were always yelled down by those who put their feelings before the law and the facts.
Is it not possible that I've been lurking for YEARS, and consider most if not all FReepers my FRiends. I read many threads, know many by name, have my favorites, etc.
I'm not a big poster or joiner - however, as I see this thread reduced to cannibalism (as others have already pointed out), it saddens me.
Sorry if your offended by a "newbie". Does being a "newbie", make my opinion less valid?
Fair enough.
Do me a favor, just go pull up only his posts and read them, all through this deal, go back a few pages- once you do that you should understand the backlash.
Maybe most do not expect to be caught in a war zone, but give me a break- you should understand it is a possibility almost anywhere in the ME in the past several years. Fact is it is always a possibility anywhere- and if one travels it should be in the back of their mind.
I have compassion for his situation, but seems most of his posts are not seeking help or info. Whining and blaming others is not a solution to any problem and it just brings out the worst side of me.
I am not convinced this is real, I am having 2nd thoughts about this being true, mostly because he does seem more interested in blaming and ranting than in solutions. Not once has he said maybe he should have made other choices- or acted as though he felt like he was at all responsible for his own well being.
The autopsy determined she did not have an eating disorder. The state intervened by ordering her death. But if the facts don't serve your purpose, by all means, just lie. It's what you people do.
Argh.
I posted in response to what another poster had written. I wasnt making an authoratative pronouncement on the facts of that case, my comments were rhetorical.
And who is "you people", for goodness sakes?
Us sneaky snakes? Us lying liars? Us no-good nogoodniks?
I thought I'd read all his posts. But, too be certain, I will do that favor for you. I'm not above admitting it when I'm wrong. It's leaves a bad taste in my mouth - but, I can do it...:o))
All I'm really asking for is compassion for his situation. I'll go now and make sure I've read every word he's written in the last week.
Several FReepers, including myself, have sent him advice. Granted, all I sent him was some info about the arrival of Iwo Jima, which he claimed to be anticipating. I got no response. Others have given him very important information, and he blows them off. He's not interested.
For starters.
Just wanted to check in and let you know you're still in my thoughts. None of us have been in your situation and so don't listen to the naysayers and ugliness coming from some freepers. Their ignorance is disturbing and that they are whining about your posts from the comfort and safety of their homes or workplace makes me realize if they were in your situation their whining would be unbearable.
I'm sure it's quite possible. It's just a little odd that you would lurk and lurk and lurk without signing up, then choose to sign up just to defend the insults hurled at Israel and the USA.
The ones most appalled by the insults are the ones sending their sons and daughters for the rescue. If you call that the comfort of their livingrooms, you have no clue.
I've read tons of posts to Rebel over the last few days and have yet to see a single one from someone whose family is involved in the rescue efforts.
And, it seems to have escaped the notice of a lot of freepers here that Rebel was involved with the IDF in helping Lebanon's budding democracy; he was registered with the UN, the US and thought his registration from the State Department had gone through.
Bump for a much needed reminder.
And france's rescue effort is far superior to ours, and our State Department is a bunch of bumbling fools, and our Marines are slow in arriving, and Israel is holding our citizens hostage, blah, blah, blah...
I heard it was the IMF.
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