U.S. Rescue Bogs Down in Lebanon

LATimes ^ | July 18, 2006 | Megan K. Stack

[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.

[Rushmore Rocks]

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.

[DvdMom]

Thanks TexKat , & I Love your freeper page too : )

[WoofDog123]

if you are in lebanon of all places and don't understand this is a given possibility at any time you are dense.

[WoofDog123]

if you are in lebanon of all places and don't understand this is a given possibility at any time you are dense.

[TexKat]

Bump!

[mpackard]

If worse comes to worse we will find a way to get you some MREs, powdered Gatorade, and sealed water pouches.




you're a Katrina Survivor, aren't you?

[PghBaldy]

Great point. I heard an interview with an American woman, yet when she spoke, she referred to the US in a strangely detached manner (I'm not describing it well, but there was something strange about how she referred to it). She was in a supposed Hizbullah stronghold. I wonder about people like her. There are millions of Americans overseas who are good & loyal citizens. I too doubt the 25,000 figure. I heard someone today say it was 4-5000 who would probably want to leave.

[LibertyRocks]

So you did get registered then? From your earlier post, it appeared to me that you couldn't get through to do so... I'm glad if I was wrong. (o:

My family is still praying for you and all those stuck there and in harm's way. Take care Rebel_Yell2...

God Bless,
LR

[xcamel]

Several reports are saying that the vast majority of "us citizens" in southern Lebanon are muslims from Dearborn MI. most are "anchor babies" or instant refugee citizens from the past INS fubar follies. Most are sunni muslims, and generally support "hisbull$hit" because their parents/aunts/uncles still live in LEB. Most say the 25,000 figure is grossly inflated.

There may be 200-400 "students" at us based colleges on LEB, but they not citizens, or carry "dual citizenship".

[omega4179]

shut up nobody put a gun to your head and told you to vacation/go to school in a terrorist hellhole.

[LibertyRocks]

What is with some of you people??? He's there for work with the IMF, and has posted many times over the last few days here at FR about the troubles he is going through. I don't blame him for being frustrated. What I don't understand is people not having any compassion for his situation at all. Why don't you read the rest of the thread before posting a rude comment, It's obvious you are not knowledgeable about his situation or you would've known he was not on vacation or at school.

I support Israel in this, but that doesn't mean I don't have compassion for those who are stuck there, and are suffering right now...

[Clara Lou]

shut up nobody put a gun to your head and told you to vacation/go to school in a terrorist hellhole.
Do you always bray like that?

[Bombard]

Anyone doing business in the Middle East 15 placing themselves in Harm's Way. To expect the USA to able to move thousands of people in a short time in a hostile environment like Lebanon is unreasonable. I think that many Americans have an unrealistic view of how the world works. Things are working themselves out even I post this response. If you do business in an unstable environment expect the unexpected.

[Iwo Jima]

He's there for work with the IMF,

Why does that make his case better? I think it makes it worse. Let the IMF get him out.

It's not like we have a high opinion of the IMF or what they do.

You leave the protection of the United States, YOU LEAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

[Iwo Jima]

My husband is right now in Vladisvostok, our son is in Shenyang, China. My son-in-law travels next week to Vilnius, Lithuania.

Tell your husband that if he gets caught up in hostilities in Valdivostok, or you son in China, or your son-in-law in Lithuania, or yourself in Timbuktu, that you are on your own. The United States government has no responsibility to come rescue you.

Just consider a personal security force as the cost of doing business in the "global economy."

[Rte66]

Sorry I didn't get back to you ... just now getting here, after T-storms all afternoon. Hope we know more now.

[4woodenboats]

I hope that my next post comes to you later this week from Chicago.

You have an enormous amount of people fixated on your safe exodus, with a much larger number of us praying for you than preying on you. :)

Please give the standpipe a few raps here and there to let us know you're still breathing, OK?

[Clara Lou]

It's not like we have a high opinion of the IMF....
I think your brain has been hermetically sealed.

[La Enchiladita]

... SEZ the L.A. Slimes ....

Emetically speaking.

[rebel_yell2]

1:40 a.m. here. Two huge explosions just rattled my hotel, woke me and everyone else up. It sounded like it came from the port area. What is the target so important? This will surely slow the morning evacuation scheduled for the Americans. Surely it must have been intended to help rather than to hinder the evacuation. We are all so weary, but will try to go back to sleep.