So, I was listening to Rush briefly on the way to lunch, and he was reading from a New Republic blog article about silly Americans vacationing in Lebanon.
Lebanon? I guess it is about as safe as New Jersey in the summer, as long as one stays out of Beiruit, er, Camden. Of course, there aren't Islamic "militants" running around Camden, at least that we know about. And Camden hasn't been recently occupied by Syria, er, Pennsylvania.
The author, Martin Peretz, makes some pretty valid points, whether he is posting at a far left site or not. Truth is truth.
So, I looked up some of the travel warnings, and ran across this one:
The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs issued the following updated Travel Warning on 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 other words, Lebanon is not the wisest of places to travel to. This travel advisory was superceded by one on July 13th, then superceded by one on July 19th.
Yet, what we ended up with were whiny people complaining about being stuck in Lebanon during war. The fact that no US air carrier can land in Beiruit was obviously lost on all the media morons complaining about it taking the US a long time to get people out. You would think they would understand the speed that watercraft move at, considering how they follow liberals like Ted "Swimmer" Kennedy and John Kerry. But, alas, no.
Lebanon? Vacation?
As many as 25,000 Americans are believed to be in Lebanon.
Jane Zimmerman, the deputy U.S. chief of mission in Cyprus, said it is unclear how many Americans in Lebanon have actually registered to leave. "It's a deeply personal decision," she said. The Associated Press reports 8,000 wish to flee.
That is a significant amount of people to move by helicopter and boat. Ones who should have though about this well over a month ago. Hell, my parents put off a trip to Italy back in 2002 because of terrorism threats (which was strange, since they live in New Jersey), as put out by the State Department. Here, we are talking about Lebanon.
And what of the 17,000 who have registered?
Moving on from that thought
"I can't believe the Americans," said Danni Atiyeh, a civil engineer from Kansas City, Mo., waiting earlier Wednesday with his pregnant wife and sons, ages 6 and 10, to board the cruise ship. "Everybody else has gone home. … We're still here."
Mr Atiyeh is a perfect example of those being found by the media who want to whine. Obviously, not everyone is complaining. They are just the ones who are getting into the papers and on TV (and now my little Banned In India) blog.
What in the hell is he doing taking his pregnant wife and young sons to a country like Lebanon? It would have been a lot cheaper going to Camden.
They earn the coveted Wedgie Award, for having something stuck up their asses.
Lebanese who died not innocent civilians…
1) Israel has warned Lebanese civilians to get the hell out.
2) These civilians persist in staying in harm’s way
Listen, we have hillbillies here in the United States who…
I don’t think I’ve ever been to Israel when they weren’t on the State Dept.’s “don’t go there” list. I do have friends there, hence, a number of locations to run to, but, get over it. If you chose to go to Lebanon, then you should have some kind of emergency plans/exit set up.
cannot disagree. You take your life in your own hands if you go into a danger zone. If you go swimming with sharks without a cage, the only person to blame if you get bit is oneself.