Replies

And how many are stupid enough to travel under the protection of the UN?

--Snip--

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.

(And numerous similar comments)

What would you rather have: a bunch of American-hating foreigners running NGOs like the UN and the IMF or doing business around the world, or FReepers and other Americans?

It's a dirty job (and something that I personally would not want to do), but somebody's got to do it. Better one of our own than someone who hates us.

Let's take a poll. How many Freepers have EVER registered with the U.S. State Dept when traveling abroad? I now return you to the regular schedule of pointless finger pointing mostly by people who never travel abroad.

Have I ever registered with the State Department when traveling abroad? No. But I've never been to a country that was subject to a travel warning. Would I have registered had I visited one of those countries? Maybe, but honestly, probably not.

It's a dirty job (and something that I personally would not want to do), but somebody's got to do it.

No they don't. We don't need --in fact it is very essential that we NOT have -- a UN or an IMF or a [fill in the blank NGO].

I don't see the issue as whether or not someone registers with the SD, the issue is if you choose not to register, then I for one do not think you have the right to complain if it is hard to register later during chaos. No one makes the right choices all the time, anyone could get in a jam- the point I tried to make is if you do get in a jam- you need to take at least some responsibility for your situation. It just doesn't set well with me when a person looks for others to blame instead of saying geez, I realize now I should have done x,y, & z- but can anyone suggest what to do now?

It also bugs me that so many do not understand that the US obligation to citizens ends when you leave the US (with some exceptions of course)to visit or work in another country. I truly believe the US does and should try to help US citizens in a jam in other countries- I just think one should have the attitude that whatever the US tries or gets done is great, instead of bashing them for what they don't do or the time frame.