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I wasn't calling the EMBASSY in Lebanon, I was calling the STATE DEPT. in WASHINGTON!!!

Obviously, the Lebanese embassy is swamped and is a victim of the Lebanese telephone system.

But I find it inexcusable that the State Department was unprepared for the call volume an incident like this would generate.

It did not help having the MSM publicize the number to 300 MILLION Americans.

I can't imagine why anyone going to that part of the world doesn't make prior arrangements for an extraction?

LOL!!! What qualifies as "that part of the world?" As for making arrangement for an extraction, exactly what would someone as wise as you have done? The U.S. Embassy couldn't get its own staff out until yesterday.

Please enlighten me, O Great Wise One of International Travel!

< chants follow . . .>

Was hoping you were one of the folks the cameras caught leaving, but I see no such luck. FNC is saying 8 buses to the ship had to turn back when Israel bombed the port again. FRiend, stay put and keep your head about you (in all ways). Here's to a safe and prompt safe passage soon.

But I find it inexcusable that the State Department was unprepared for the call volume an incident like this would generate.

I don't mean to come across like I'm busting your chops. I'm not. I realize you are under a lot of strain.

But everyone needs to understand that the government is like a big locomotive. You got to build up some steam before you can move and then slowly.

Once momentum is built, anything is possible and in a timely manner.

Same thing with Katrina. Even though tens of thousands were in position with supplies, it took that initial period of X hours.

God bless . . .

Regarding extraction insurance, available from most large carriers:

CBC and Canwest Global would not disclose the cost of covering their reporters.

But Jan Vrem says that the insurance Global bought from Manulife is not costing as much as the network budgeted.

Global also purchases long-term disability insurance and extraction insurance that helps cover the cost of getting a reporter out of an area in an emergency. However, none of the three news organizations interviewed carry kidnapping insurance, but they say that they are prepared to deal with this eventuality.

Source

But I find it inexcusable that the State Department was unprepared for the call volume an incident like this would generate.

I can't imagine the size of the government if we had to have a staff at the State Department for dealing with a majority of Ameicans overseas that might need eveacuation. That would of course include everywhere in the middle east, much of Africa, several areas in South America....

And with the same thoughts we need Federal support to evacate cities like New Orleans because the local government can't, we need......

You can't use high value military ships for an evacuation, we can't afford to place those assets in jeopardy because Americans choose to go to DANGEROUS places.

We don't have and don't want a government that big, nor can we afford one.

I wish you luck and safety in the future.