First, the State Department has done a miserable job of registering and communicating with Americans stranded in Lebanon.
Second, Americans stranded in Lebanon could easily depart on their own were it not for the Israeli blockade.
Third, many other countries have done a far more effective job of getting their (and, in many cases, our) citizens out of Lebanon; for example, France, Italy and Sweden.
I am not worried about my situation; I am pretty safe in my current location.
I am worried about Freepers who turn into cannibals that eat their own if they think Israel is criticized.
I am worried about Freepers who exhibit appalling and often racist ignorance of developing countries.
I am worried about Freepers who are ignorant of the work that NGOs (including USAID) do in these countries to promote democracy and western society.
I am distressed with what I have seen today, not here in Lebanon, as much as what I have seen here in the posts at Free Republic.
At the same time, my heart is lifted by the kindness and thoughfulness of so many others I have corresponded with here at Free Republic.
I'm sure that each of you know who fits into these last two groups.
Goodnight. I hope that my next post comes to you later this week from Chicago.
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.
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?
As a matter of fact I have been reading your posts, you started the blame game right off the bat, I chose not to reply because I realized you were in a tense life threatening situation and I let what you were saying slide for a while. You needed to face some "inconvenient facts" yourself about working out of the country, I wasn't the only one that pointed out when you are off of US soil as a civilian you are on your own and should be greatful for anything the US government does for you and not expect or demand things that are not the responsibility of the US government.
First, the State Department has done a miserable job of registering and communicating with Americans stranded in Lebanon.
I could be wrong here, but isn't it the responsiblity of the traveler to read State Department warnings and keep up with them, as well as registering with SD on arrival? I would think trying to register in the middle of chaos would be difficult if not impossible. We all make mistakes, and hindsight is great, but if you ever once took any responsibility for your situation I missed it.
Second, Americans stranded in Lebanon could easily depart on their own were it not for the Israeli blockade.
Naval blockades are all but a given in a hostility crisis, it should be considered as part of any plan of foreigners in the ME or elsewhere.
Third, many other countries have done a far more effective job of getting their (and, in many cases, our) citizens out of Lebanon; for example, France, Italy and Sweden.
First of all most other countries are not in the same situation the US is in as far as sheer numbers of citizens as well as policies in the area, so it really is comparing apples and oranges.
I am not worried about my situation; I am pretty safe in my current location.
I assumed that from your posts, you did not seem as concerned with solutions as with blaming.
I am worried about Freepers who turn into cannibals that eat their own if they think Israel is criticized.
It wasn't so much the criticism of Israel- as you constantly looking for someone else to blame for your situation.
I am worried about Freepers who exhibit appalling and often racist ignorance of developing countries.
I have no racist ignorance- I have never claimed to be an expert on ME issues- I do have a Lebanese SIL and she has said many times that Lebanon cannot be fixed if it is not first conquered by someone with the power to rid it of the stranglehold of terrorism. I never made any racist comments toward any group in the ME- you playing the race card is pretty funny, that tactic is loosing it's power though so you really should think of a new one.
I am worried about Freepers who are ignorant of the work that NGOs (including USAID) do in these countries to promote democracy and western society.
I freely admit I am ignorant of the specific work these organizations do, I generally feel they are a good thing though- I have no idea what that has to do with your attitude which is what I was addressing in my posts. I never questioned the need for someone to be in Lebanon doing your job- you just need to be more realistic about foreign travel, or maybe you personally are not cut out for it.
I am distressed with what I have seen today, not here in Lebanon, as much as what I have seen here in the posts at Free Republic.
I am distressed as well, I am distressed that someone as obviously well educated as you are does not understand that when you leave US soil, the US is no longer responsible for you.
At the same time, my heart is lifted by the kindness and thoughfulness of so many others I have corresponded with here at Free Republic.
I don't really care whether you believe this or not, but I have been concerned about your well being and all others who are caught in the chaos right now- I was hoping you would decide to quit the blame game and work on solutions, unfortunately it never happened.
I'm sure that each of you know who fits into these last two groups.
I don't care what group you choose to put me in, I consider myself a realist and I hope you are fairly young- because if you are you will learn the difference between what would be ideal and what is reality the next time you face hardship.
Goodnight. I hope that my next post comes to you later this week from Chicago.
I hope the next post I read from you, that you are safe at home. I also hope when you are safe at home you will reflect on the realities of foreign travel and if you choose to continue to travel to other countries you will do more advance planning.
Let's take a poll. How many Freepers have EVER registered with the U.S. State Dept when traveling abroad?
Aren't these two statements contradictory? How is the US government supposed to know you're there if you don't register? You're blaming the State Dept. for not registering or communicating with you, but how can they do that if they don't know *who* or *where* you are?
I'm way behind in the latest news about your plight, but I'm also just a little confused about your words.
You are clown shoes, pal. Pin the blame on yourself and suck it up.