Posted on 07/18/2006 12:46:21 AM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I've spent 90 percent of my adult life living and working in a number of dicy spots around the world. I got to each and every one of them entirely without the help of the State Department, and if anything had gone South in any of theose palces, and they very nearly did, any number of times, I would not have expected much help getting out.
I always had my own plan well in mind and prepared.
Contrary to your view, it is NOT the US government's job to get US citizens out of the jams they have gotten themselves into overseas, and that includes the present situation in Lebanon.
Now, in point of fact, the US government will take extraordinary measures to try to help get folk out. In the present situation the options are limited, but I'm very sure they are trying to figure some way to get folks out as quickly and as safely as possible under the circumstances.
You, on the other hand, are a pure ingrate, expecting perfection where you have no right to expect anyting at all.
yeah, so this means our marines would be firing back at israel? that's what that would take.
Have you contacted lajefa? You don't need to answer, just want to make sure that you saw that opportunity.
Hey Rebel... lajefa is trying to help you. He has posted a couple of times with the offer to help you out the best way he can. At least accept or decline his offer for help.
Sure, I hope the Americans and Brits get out safely, but what a buncha dipsticks for being there in the first place. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that a country harboring terrorists with missiles pointed at a next-door neighbor with real firepower may not be the smartest place to vacation. Frankly, these idiots remind me of the Katrina pains in the asses who put themselves (for the most part) in their own situation through bad judgment, then bitched and whined at the lack of government and private organizational speed in snapping to at their beck and call when they found themselves stranded through sheer stupidity.
Do use that link to register online, if you haven't. And remember that it's in your best interest, that you not be notified much in advance on what to do after that.
if perfection = following through on an apparent promise, then and only then is ry2 being unreasonable
You are completely out of line!
Discuss this in 2 weeks. Not when a Freeper civilian is trapped in a war zone.
Your point is a good one if there are those who have means and resources that want to stay. But I don't see how one can discriminate against people holding an American passport.
Of course there are going to be some special names to get out first. In fact some have already although it's less than a hundred.
Just remember... Great movies are made out of stories such as yours. I'm thinking about Casablanca, of course... Say, you don't suppose you could find some seedy dive in Beirut owned by a shady American named Rick, do you? He might be able to help you get out -- for a price. ;-)
Seriously though, I'll bet you never look at that movie the same way again!
And even more seriously, you and all the other Americans trapped in Beirut are in our prayers and I hope Dubya lights a fire under the incompetent State Dept. soon!
Exactly and if Hezbolla blew up one ship, its would even make it harder to get the remaining "hostages"
Plus, such action would cause even more uproar in iraq and Afghanistan.
Only about 4,000 Americans have asked the State Dept. for assistance in getting out. This isn't a 25,000 evacuee situation.
There was even some really dumb broad American interviewed on Fox News who said she (and some others) were heading to Syria. Give that woman the Darwin award.
Funny we are all up in the dead of night here on the East Coast and this is where our focus is, on our fellow Americans.
Only here FRiends, only here.
Obviously, this is part of Hizbollah's strategy, using all of the foreigners in Lebanon as hostages.
It doesn't look that way from here. Hizbullah is fighting Israel and Israel has bombed the airport and exit roads making it very difficult to leave. Right now Hizbullah has it's hands full with the Israeli assault
A more real threat lies ahead for you. That if Hiz is forced to run and scatter some of their forces may try to take American hostages to ensure their safety and even safe passage to Syria as they retreat. This would suck America into this mess and maybe Iran and Hiz want this
At this stage, registering a family member is of little real help. The time to register is when you first arrive.
All information is flowing out of the embassy right now to people that were already registered. Notices went out to consulate warden living in the country when trouble first broke. They wardens contacted the people that were on their list and likely are still in contact with them now.
The wardens will not be getting updated lists in this environment - at least not with any efficiency. Efforts have turned toward dealing with the problem. But they will be getting notices and passing them along.
My advise for anyone there and not already registered is to try and find the consulate warden in your area.
Talk to hotel managers at Western run properties (a European or Aussie hotel manager is still likely to know who the U.S. guy is in the area).
As a last resort, consider going to the areas where you know Americans hung out but be very careful doing that. Not good to be in those areas when you are in this situation. But, if all else fails, a quick trip to see if anyone is there may help with information.
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