I can't speak for other freepers, but he seriously ticked me off by claiming at least twice that he and other foreigners were being held hostage by Israel. Even when several freepers tried to tell him that it might seem that way, but that he was in reality NOT a "hostage" of Israel. He is stuck in the middle of hostilities and yes Israel has a blockade but geez he is not a hostage. I for one don't like to let statements like that stand. I know he was stressed- but he seemed to be blaming Israel for his situation especially early on. It was only after he was called on some of his statements that he started saying he thought differently about what is happening. Maybe it's just me, but the blaming and whining were too much. I understand one goes through a lot of emotions under stress and men do not like to show fear or weakness- but men are not usually so whiney either.
I don't know he just came off wrong to me, he was critical of the US Navy, they were not moving fast enough or whatever. Would he like for them to just dash in with no advance planning and take a chance that the rescue mission would fail? To me it seemed like he was critical of the military, Israel, the State Department- you name it, no one was pleasing him. Even when told of rescue efforts and plans it never seemed good enough.
Whatever, I do hope he is rescued and returns home safe and sound. I will stand by my previoius post to him that he may not be cut out for work out of this country.
Many on this thread never did grasp the fact that once you leave the US, the US is not obligated to you. The US rightfully does try very hard to help citizens in a jamb in other countries, as they should- but people who travel to other countries need to not plan on Uncle Sam to arrive right away if things go wrong.
The other thing many did not get is that the State Department and embassies are not there to rescue stranded citizens. They have important diplomatic and other functions so to expect them to be geared to help stranded citizens amid chaos in an instant is pretty unrealistic.
Tammy, that was the kicker for me too.
I was sitting here last night with my sister reading the threads and when I read that, I kicked her off and logged in myself. I had set up an account a few years ago when I was in the States.
I couldn't let that "hostage" stuff stand.
That is my only beef with Rebel. In fact, I totally sympathized with the guy before that nonsense--but for the Grace of God and all that. Believe me, it could easily be me one of these days!!
I also was insulted by some others who insinuated that many posters are merely keyboard commandos who never leave the confines of their own town. In my limited experience here, I have noticed that people are incredibly well traveled and well informed.
Travel is not for everyone. But I have some cred because I live overseas and travel constantly (no kids and a husband whose job takes him all over the world). I'm not going to publicize where I live, but it's a country where things could easily turn bad and y'all would think I'm an idiot for choosing to live there. I even made fun of myself for that.
There have been some silly and ignorant posts, that's true, but when are there not? Most people sympatized with his plight but were sick of the "poor me" mentality and the blaming of Israel. Perhaps because the local media certainly won't be friendly to Israel (and CNNI and BBC, which are pretty much all you can get over there) he doesn't realize that Hezbollah STARTED THIS!!
The United States is a target of terrorists. France and the Netherlands, et.al. not as much. We need to be alot more careful in our planning and logistics. Not to mention, many of our military ships in the Med and Red Sea are doing a more important job than running a ferry service for wayward Americans. It's not just the ships in the Gulf that are at work.
This is my last word on this. I'll be here for another week or so and I'll check in. I'd love to talk travel with anyone of like mind :-)
Rebel_Yell2,
I hope your silence today means you are on the way home. Either that, or you're sleeping off your all nighter from last night. Which I hope not because that would mean you're still there. We're pulling for ya! MCC
I'd like to see you link that post where you think that Rebel was critical of the US Navy.
I've read all his posts and haven't seen that. As to his being ticked off at the State Department, he'll have to get in line on that one. The State Dept. ticks most of us off for far less serious issues than this. LOL
I read every single one of rebel_yell2 posts .
I Can still Love Israel , & be upset that I couldn't get out of Lebanon.
He stated he wanted Iran & Syria to be cut off at the head !
He stated he wanted Hizoblaah to be destroyed !
He wishes that Israel didn't blockade , so he could escape .
He has been a freeper for a long time , & was accused of being a LIAR - One freeper said I Don't believe your in Lebanon.
You can Love BOTH The USA & ISRAEL . And WHILE LOVING Them still have issuses .
In Example I LOVE AMERICA But I WAS DISGUSTED That Bill & Hillary Clinton treated The Lincoln Bedroom "like a whorehouse !!!
I Can dislike Clinton but still love the USA !
He lost a lot of support in his first post when he said he "did NOT support Israel in this". If he had said he was stuck and needed help and prayers, he would have had that.
Just for the record...ditto.
I can understand your frustration and you list your reasons clearly. But you go over the line when you say the above. That's just not for you to say. You might not like what he says, that's fine. But you cannot assess his life unless you know him personally.