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Nearly everyone I've heard who is over there has blamed the State Department and they've said all the same things that Rebel has said, so I won't bother repeating them in the interests of time.

And yes, we all understand that military planning needs to be done for the extractions. It's a dicey situation and I was a wreck that the helicopters would be shot at; they still could be shot at.

But it is noted by a lot of people in a lot of countries that somehow France was able to extract their people a lot faster. Why is that? Weren't they afraid of being shot at?

The hostage language was an unfortunate choice of words, but I can guarantee you that DC and other governments aren't delighted that the port is not accessible and that the airport is unusable before over 100K people were extracted.

In addition, there have been posts that he's complained about the cost of extraction. Not true. That he's a Hezbollah supporter. Not true and an obscene suggestion. I've listed the lies and won't go through them all again.

You're all entitled to your feelings as I'm entitled to mine. I'm not trying to change your mind but when I see outright lies posted about him or his posts, I'll challenge them.

Nearly everyone I've heard who is over there has blamed the State Department and they've said all the same things that Rebel has said, so I won't bother repeating them in the interests of time.

Many including me tried to explain it is not the SDs only function to rescue citizens in those situations, and fact is when all is said and done they do perform, just not as smooth and speedy as many would like. Again US not obligated to citizens out of country w/exceptions. I note he was not trashing UN, his employer of sorts that gave him only way out to Syria. LOL

And yes, we all understand that military planning needs to be done for the extractions. It's a dicey situation and I was a wreck that the helicopters would be shot at; they still could be shot at.

Well Peach, you and "all" (whoever that is) may understand that, but rebel didn't want to hear it. That is what caused the ire against him from military families, including me.

But it is noted by a lot of people in a lot of countries that somehow France was able to extract their people a lot faster. Why is that? Weren't they afraid of being shot at?

Oh give me a break- France has been snuggling with the terrorists for years, why would they be afraid? The US on the other hand has been killing and imprisoning terrorists and destroying terrorist networks worldwide in recent years. I'm pretty happy about that, but it does at times cause things to be dicey for US. You know this Peach- really, and so does rebel_yell2.

The hostage language was an unfortunate choice of words, but I can guarantee you that DC and other governments aren't delighted that the port is not accessible and that the airport is unusable before over 100K people were extracted.

Fact is when referring to being hostage in ME these days, one pictures someone who is about to be beheaded. Again, give me a break. How can you guarantee anything about what US or other gov'ts thinks about what Israel is doing? You have no more idea of that than anyone else out of the official loop. Nice try at trying to sound "in the know" - right.

In addition, there have been posts that he's complained about the cost of extraction. Not true. That he's a Hezbollah supporter. Not true and an obscene suggestion. I've listed the lies and won't go through them all again.

I never said anything about that- have you read my posts to rebel_yell? I bet not, you don't actually have to know what one said or why in order to counter it. I have noticed that about you. Don't put words in my mouth. What lies have I told to or about rebel_yell2 Peach??? Please provide proof of that.

You're all entitled to your feelings as I'm entitled to mine. I'm not trying to change your mind but when I see outright lies posted about him or his posts, I'll challenge them.

You posted this to me, and again reference lies- come on Peach- show where I have lied to or about rebel_yell2. Back this up, I will not allow you to post this to me and not answer it. If I get banned for making you put up or shut up it will be worth it. Really, yes you are entitled to your opinion, but don't think you can post this sort of thing to me and not get called on it.

But it is noted by a lot of people in a lot of countries that somehow France was able to extract their people a lot faster. Why is that? Weren't they afraid of being shot at?

As Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper told a Canadian TV network "there's a small thing called the Atlantic Ocean between us and the Mediterranean". France doesn't have that problem. Lebanon is a former French colony, and has better relations with them than the US. So the Lebanese government wasn't trying to stall any evacuation of French citizens. And yes, the French security concerns are somewhat lower compared to the US - France hasn't even labeled Hezbollah as the terrorist group it is, as far as I know.

That being said, the State Department (like all big bureaucracies) isn't blameless. They're usually horrible at disseminating information and managing expectations on a good day. It hasn't been a good day to be in Beirut for a week.