I really dont feel sorry for Americans stuck in Lebanon

[Mr.Conley]

Just to help y'all sleep better ... they just showed Navy CH-53's airliftng stranded Americans out of Lebanon on the local news. So at the government's expense and the miltiary's risk, someone is conducting a NEO.

I'm glad to know that the United States government is protecting its citizens.

 

[Gunny]

I'm glad to know that the United States government is protecting its citizens.

I don't think it's the US government's responsibility to "protect its citizens" beyond issuing warnings. This all goes to personal accountability, and people expecting the gov't to bail them out from the consequences of their actions.

I'm glad the US is getting the people out who are not there of their own volition (the children). The rest should have to walk.

 

[Redhots]

The parents should be flogged for taking their children into such an area. Good thing CNN put them on the tube so now the terrorists know exactly where they are and what they look like. I'm sure that'll help in their safety.

Somehow I think the terrorists you're talking about aren't the ones they're worried about right now.

You might want to ask yourself just who exactly is it that these people suddenly need to be saved from?

 

[Mr.Conley]

I don't think it's the US government's responsibility to "protect its citizens" beyond issuing warnings. This all goes to personal accountability, and people expecting the gov't to bail them out from the consequences of their actions.

I'm glad the US is getting the people out who are not there of their own volition (the children). The rest should have to walk.

Admittedly these people really fucked up, but I wouldn't feel right about leaving them hanging in a combat zone.

 

[Gunny]

Somehow I think the terrorists you're talking about aren't the ones they're worried about right now.

You might want to ask yourself just who exactly is it that these people suddenly need to be saved from?

Still trying to twist the truth around, huh? If Hezbollah didn't exist and wasn't using Lebanon as a base of operations to attack Israel, there wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Gunny]

Admittedly these people really fucked up, but I wouldn't feel right about leaving them hanging in a combat zone.

At what point in time do we start holding people accountable for their actions and quit bailing them out? It teaches them nothing but that if they do the same thing again, they'll get bailed out again.

Let them get themselves out once and they'll learn.

 

[Bonnie]

Well, I feel for them.

It is true, though, that America has become a nation of helpless children, always expecting big ol daddy gov't to bail them out. After any problem, the first thing you see are people on TV demanding that the gov't take care of them.

I agree I feel for their safety, but I have to wonder why people other than government or aid workers would be there...... vacationing? Aren't there better places to go than Beirut??:huh:

 

[Mr.Conley]

At what point in time do we start holding people accountable for their actions and quit bailing them out? It teaches them nothing but that if they do the same thing again, they'll get bailed out again.

Let them get themselves out once and they'll learn.

In a lot of other situations, I'd agree with you, but this is a freaking war zone we're talking about. I'm sure just sitting there is enough of a lesson for them to never do this again. If there is one area where I'm more than happy to have the government intervene it's in extracting idiot Americans from combat zones.

 

[trobinett]

In a lot of other situations, I'd agree with you, but this is a freaking war zone we're talking about. I'm sure just sitting there is enough of a lesson for them to never do this again. If there is one area where I'm more than happy to have the government intervene it's in extracting idiot Americans from combat zones.

Mr.Conley, I do agree with a small part of your post, the "idiot Americans".

It would do well to leave these "idiot Americans" where they are. Shrink the gene pool, and all that survival of the intelligent bs.

That a vacation to Lebanon? WTF is up with that? I mean, sure, go on vacation where ever you please, just don't ask me to bail your sorry ass out.

Reminds me of a situation that came up some years back. A young couple came through the front door of a biker bar that I happened to be at, was on a porker run with the Hells Angels of Sonoma County, CA.. You could tell when they walked in, that there was going to be trouble. Couple of HA got up and started trying to make conversation with the female. Things were turning ugly pretty quick. One of the HA I was sitting with was an officer of the club, he walked over, said a few words to the two members, and escorted the couple outside and to their car. I mean, how stupid, uninformed, and UNWORDLY do people have to be?

Was walking into that bikers bar just being stupid, was her escort trying to show his manhood, did they just not see the forty or so motorcycles sitting in the parking lot, and put 2 and 2 together? Once inside, why not turn around, and walk out? Sure, your free to go, and do what you want, I just think you should ALSO take the responsibility for your actions, and not start winning when things go to shit.

Life ISN'T fair.........

 

[Annie]

I'm just sick of the idiots that were over there coming back and complaining about the 'accomodations' and 'complexity of dealing with the embassy.' Sheesh. I heard one bitching that the ship had no 'food' and the Navy Seals brought sandwhiches for the Americans. Then she was pissed that they didn't bring enough for all 700 people, as only 150 or so were Americans.

 

[Avatar4321]

Its like these people think that America can just come to everyones house and get everyone out of there in a day or two. The home page of CNN now has pictures of American citizens (middle eastern looking) holding up signs saying where are you America. If these people are freaking stupid enough to actually go and live in Lebanon, squeezed between Syria and Israel they are freaking crazy. Their own stupidity has put them in this situation and I dont feel one bit sorry for them. I wouldnt go to Lebanon or any country in the Middle East for that matter if you paid me.

I actually agree with you on this. I cant feel sorry for them. Other than the people at the American embassy. All the people choose to be their and they should get themselves out.

Im not saying that we shouldnt help them or warn them when to get out. Im just saying they knew they were in an area that is generally a war zone. They chose to be there. If we didnt send them over there then we shouldnt be required to get them out. And when we do help them out they should be grateful that we are saving their @$$ from their own mistakes rather than complaining that we arent saving them fast enough.

 

[Avatar4321]

Good to know. If the government isn't going to help US citizens who get caught in a spontanious war, then what is it for?

As for the signs, I think they're pretty good as a method of communication, especially if you don't have any other way of being heard.

Protecting the rest of us who arent so careless as to put ourselves in an area that we know could become a war zone in a matter of hours.

 

[theHawk]

Lets also remember that there are tens of thousands of Americans there that need to be 'rescued'. Thats an enormous task and would take alot of planning and mobilzation. Its not just a matter of showing up with a boat for Americans to fill up, you also have to provide food/water, shelter for them. Where are they being taken? Is there proper facilities to take care of all the people? They can't just ship them to Europe and dump them on the coastline. The big question is where are all these people going to end up? If they were living in Lebanon then that means they will not have a house or job. Not every person being evacuated is going to want to go to the same place, how far will the government go to ship them to where they want to go?

But of course Liberals and freeloaders never take into consideration what a huge task something like this is, all they do is bitch and complain about the U.S.A.

 

[Gunny]

In a lot of other situations, I'd agree with you, but this is a freaking war zone we're talking about. I'm sure just sitting there is enough of a lesson for them to never do this again. If there is one area where I'm more than happy to have the government intervene it's in extracting idiot Americans from combat zones.

It's the Middle East. It's BEEN a war zone for quite a few years now. Rocket science not required. These dumbasses put the US in a compromising position after having been explicitly warned of the possibility of violence ANYWHERE in the ME.

Let's just suppose the US ends up engaging Hezbollah or some other two-bit terrorist organization in action while evacuating these people. Every whiner and cryer and anti-US shithead currently hiding under rocks will be out in force to denounce the US as intervening on the side of "da chews."

Sorry, but that isn't worth bailing out morons who ignored the warnings because they KNEW if anythign happened, people such as yourself would be demanding a bail-out from our government.

 

[Semper Fi]

What made me mad was how CNN compared the US to countries in Europe, saying "they did it, why can't we?" Well, if one looks closely, one can see that there is an entire ocean of buffer zone, whereas Europe is a stone's throw away. Evacuating 25,000 people requires more than a few helicopters, so perhaps ships are being mobilized, which takes time. Then it takes time for them to sail across the ocean. I can only imagine them sitting there, it's been eight and a half minutes where are they???

 

[Redhots]

Still trying to twist the truth around, huh? If Hezbollah didn't exist and wasn't using Lebanon as a base of operations to attack Israel, there wouldn't be an issue.

Still go out drinking with Ward Churchill I take it.

 

[007]

Its like these people think that America can just come to everyones house and get everyone out of there in a day or two. The home page of CNN now has pictures of American citizens (middle eastern looking) holding up signs saying where are you America. If these people are freaking stupid enough to actually go and live in Lebanon, squeezed between Syria and Israel they are freaking crazy. Their own stupidity has put them in this situation and I dont feel one bit sorry for them. I wouldnt go to Lebanon or any country in the Middle East for that matter if you paid me.

As much as I hate to, I have to agree with you.

Where the fuck was your BRAIN at when you decided to go to a WAR zone?

 

[GotZoom]

As much as I hate to, I have to agree with you.

Where the fuck was your BRAIN at when you decided to go to a WAR zone?

Ditto that.

How many "Travel Advisories" did you and I (and other military members) see from week to week?

All you have to do is call the State Department or look at their webiste:

Here is the Travel Advisory dated May 2, 2006:

This Travel Warning updates information on threats to American citizens and interests in Lebanon. It supersedes the Travel Warning for Lebanon issued November 7, 2005.

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to carefully weigh the necessity of their travel to Lebanon in light of the risks noted below. U.S. citizens in Lebanon are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Beirut where they may also obtain updated information on travel and security in Lebanon. See registration details below.

Recent events in Lebanon underscore the need for caution and sound personal security precautions. Former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri was assassinated on February 14, 2005 in a car bomb attack in which at least 22 other people were killed and many others seriously wounded; the potential for violence remains. Since March 2005, there have been 13 separate bombings in Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of at least 11 people and injuries to more than 100 others.

Historically, Americans have been the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon. The perpetrators of many of these attacks are still present and retain the ability to act. American citizens should thus keep a low profile, varying times and routes for all required travel. Americans should also pay close attention to their personal security at locations where Westerners are generally known to congregate, and should avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.

In January 2006, Lebanese authorities arrested suspected members of an al-Qaeda group in Beirut. The presence of al-Qaeda in Lebanon raises the potential threat to U.S. citizens and interests.

In February 2006, demonstrations against newspaper cartoons that satirized the Prophet resulted in damage to the building housing the Danish consulate, as well as surrounding homes, commercial enterprises, a church, and vehicles.

The U.S. Government considers the potential threat to U.S. Government personnel assigned to Beirut sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under a strict security regime. This limits, and may occasionally prevent, the movement of U.S. Embassy officials in certain areas of the country. These factors, plus limited staffing, may hinder timely assistance to Americans in Lebanon. Unofficial travel to Lebanon by U.S. Government employees and their family members requires prior approval by the Department of State.

U.S. citizens who travel to Lebanon despite this Travel Warning should exercise heightened caution when traveling in parts of the southern suburbs of Beirut, portions of the Bekaa Valley and South Lebanon, and the cities of Sidon and Tripoli. Hizballah has not been disarmed, it maintains a strong presence in many of these areas, and there is the potential for action by other extremist groups in Tripoli.

American air carriers are prohibited from using Beirut International Airport (BIA) due to continuing concern about airport and aircraft security arrangements. For similar reasons, the Lebanese carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) is not permitted to operate service into the United States. Official U.S. government travelers exercise additional security measures when using Beirut International Airport.

Palestinian groups hostile to both the Lebanese government and the U.S. operate largely autonomously inside refugee camps in different areas of the country. Intra-communal violence within the camps has resulted in violent incidents such as shootings and explosions. Occasionally this violence spills over into neighboring cities and towns. Travel by U.S. citizens to Palestinian camps should be avoided. Asbat al-Ansar, a terrorist group with apparent links to al-Qaeda, has targeted Lebanese, U.S. and other foreign government interests. It has been outlawed by the Lebanese government but continues to maintain a presence in the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.

Dangers posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance throughout south Lebanon are significant and also exist in other areas where civil war fighting was intense. Travelers should be aware of posted landmine warnings and strictly avoid all areas where landmines and unexploded ordnance may be present. Tensions remain in Lebanon's southern border with the possibility of Hizballah and Palestinian militant activity at any time.

The Embassy is located in Awkar, near Antelias, Beirut, Lebanon. Public access hours for American citizens are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. However, American citizens who require emergency services outside of these hours may contact the Embassy by telephone at any time. The telephone numbers are (961-4) 542-600, 543-600, and fax 544-209. American citizens may register with the Embassy online by visiting https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs. Information on consular services and registration can also be found at http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/ or by phone at the above telephone numbers between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday local time.

Updated information on travel and security in Lebanon may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. Additional details can be found in the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Lebanon, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement and the Travel Publication A Safe Trip Abroad, all of which are available on the Department's Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/.

-----

After reading this, why would ANYBODY go to Lebanon?

 

[Gunny]

What made me mad was how CNN compared the US to countries in Europe, saying "they did it, why can't we?" Well, if one looks closely, one can see that there is an entire ocean of buffer zone, whereas Europe is a stone's throw away. Evacuating 25,000 people requires more than a few helicopters, so perhaps ships are being mobilized, which takes time. Then it takes time for them to sail across the ocean. I can only imagine them sitting there, it's been eight and a half minutes where are they???

IF they are using MEUs to conduct a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO), there is also a question of space. An LHD is not going to hold 25,000 in the hangar deck; which, is normally where noncombatants are kept.

The MEUs, at least two of them, are in the area, so it's no big stretch of time for them to get there. There would be at least one in the Med and one and sometimes two in the Gulf. One of the operations MEUs have to qualify in before deploying each time is the NEO, so the crews are trained to get the job done.

 

[Gunny]

Still go out drinking with Ward Churchill I take it.

Yeah, that's me. And when I get drunk, being a dumb ol' pickup driving redneck red-stater, I love to kick the shit out of stupid ass libs with big mouthes.