[NormsRevenge]

Bon Voyage!

French expatriates stand on observation decks of the Ierapetra Greek cruise liner at the port of Beitrut, Lebanon, as they wait to be evacuated to Cyprus, Monday, July 17, 2006. Hundreds of French citizens and other Europeans were evacuating on the Greek cruise liner chartered by the French government, which docked in the port and busloads of evacuees boarded the boat. Israel, on the sixth day of its major offensive in Lebanon, appeared to be allowing evacuation ships through its blockade of the country as France and Italy moved hundreds of nationals and other Europeans out Monday. Other governments were organizing pull-outs by land to Syria. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

[bnelson44]

Our people should be leaving today.

[Kimberly GG]

"Hundreds of French citizens and other Europeans were evacuating on the Greek cruise liner chartered by the French government, which docked in the port and busloads of evacuees boarded the boat. Israel, on the sixth day of its major offensive in Lebanon, appeared to be allowing evacuation ships through its blockade of the country as France and Italy moved hundreds of nationals and other Europeans out Monday."

Re: this photo.......I heard a French woman interviewed who traveled by bus to board this boat. She said 6 busloads failed to board the ship because the port, with very little warning, came under fire by the Israeli's.

I don't know whether it's good or bad that there is so much media coverage of America's plans for the cuise ship and naval escort. But I still think that the 5,000 figure to be evacuated is low. 750 per trip, 10 hours round trip....could be a while. Here's to hoping that our state department has a Plan B. And I'm convinced, deserving or not, this is Bush's next 'Katrina'. Much of the media coverage is on Americans stuck.

****Fox - Just in, cruise ship was stopped by Israeli blockade and is just now on the move again, may not arrive until some time tomorrow. Americans who wish to leave should stay where they are. 60 were just evacuated by helicopter. ****

[toddlintown]

The French are so good at pulling out quickly.