I have, with great interest followed your plight in Beirut. You mentioned that international travelers seldom register with DOS when traveling. I can support that. My husband, our son, son-in-law, and I travel overseas VERY often with our business. We have never registered and I know no one in our business who does. Perhaps we should rethink this practice. My husband is right now in Vladisvostok, our son is in Shenyang, China. My son-in-law travels next week to Vilnius, Lithuania. These are not normal "vacation" destination.
These trips are necessary to keep our employees working, provide them with medical insurance, keep their pension plans growing, and generally, support our American economy. We truly are in a global economy, which requires global travel.
I have been surprised at the number of ill-informed, under-educated, xenophobic FReepers here...........but, more pleased with the support I have seen for you here.
Good luck and God's speed to you.
I hope they get home safe and sound.
I am somewhat disappointed that the French of all people got their citizens out before we even had a plan. I see all the other posts about tough luck, you're on your own..blah blah. But, it never used to be that way, we went to help our citizens in trouble no matter what and we were proud to be Americans.
The only thing I am concerned about is that some of those supposed Leb/Americans are the arabs that support hisbollah and their home state is Michigan according to a report on CNN. I would feel better if they stayed there and went down with the rest of their clan who think it's fun to lob rockets into Israel.