Wow, are you right. It is just amazing to me that some people here have absolutely no idea about traveling outside the US. Yes, one can always stay home, but visiting other countries really gives you a sense of the way the world works. While I haven't visited the middle east, I have traveled extensively in Asia. My favorite spot is Thailand. And, no I have never registered with an embassy.
My first trip to Asia was to Korea and Hong Kong during the Bush/Dukakus election. I was amazed that my Korean tour guide introduced himself and announced that he was a republican. I was on a day trip to China when I found out the results of the election. I guess that trip taught me, that when we vote here we are really voting for the world. Who we elects does affect the rest of the world.
I think that travel is one risk in life worth taking. Certainly if you end up in a situation like Beruit, well you do need help getting out. This type of situation is totally beyond the control of the traveler and I am sure very scary. On the other hand Rebel_yell2 has a great story to tell.
Why do you need HELP (my freakin' tax $$$) when you were warned to NOT GO THERE in the first place? So, if you jump off a 50 story building (not using common sense or the info you have that it's NOT A GOOD IDEA) it's MY fault and I should pay? You've outed yourself, you are a freakin' bleeding heart idiot! If you want them evacuated, pay for it yourself!
It's amazing to me too, wlandsodidwe.
The day I don't support a freeper in a war zone is the day I quit Free Republic.