Israel and World War Three

[Skip N]

Originally Posted by Skitterpop

Oh my god....


BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- The Bush administration is waiving the requirement that Americans have to pay or reimburse the government for being evacuated from Lebanon, aides to two senators said.

I'm mixed on this. I dont think we should say to the US citizens in Lebanon, that yeah we'll rescue you, but only if you pay $2000! (or whatever the price tag is) or hit em up with a a large bill after the fact. The US should'nt charge its citizens in a time when they need help. Its like sending a huge bill to the people rescued during Katrina.

The other side of me says, WTF are Americans doing in Lebanon anyway!? Dont these folks know the middle east is prob not the best place to be now adays!? So part of me says, hey you guys arent that bright for hanging out in countries that have terroist groups roaming the streets!

[MakoMike]

Personally I don't see what the problem is in charging them, they were going to have to pay commercial airfare to come home anyway. Now I wouldn't charge them commercial rates, but enough to cover the cost of the fuel would seem appropriate.

[spence]

Originally Posted by Skip N

The other side of me says, WTF are Americans doing in Lebanon anyway!? Dont these folks know the middle east is prob not the best place to be now adays!?

Skippy,

1. There were a lot of Lebanese Christians who fled civil war in the 1970's that came to the United States. Not only is there a cultural tie, but there are many family ties as well.

2. Lebanon is pretty modern and Beirut is considered to be one of the more cosmopolitan cities in the region. For the most part it's quite Western and has a large tourisim industry.

3. And perhaps most importantly...the single best thing we can to do combat terrorisim in the long run is to encourage the free exchange of business and ideas with other nations.

A strong collaborative relationship with Lebanon is critical to the future of the weak democracy that exists today.

We can't collaborate if we're not there...

-spence

[Backbeach Jake]

Originally Posted by Skip N

I'm mixed on this. I dont think we should say to the US citizens in Lebanon, that yeah we'll rescue you, but only if you pay $2000! (or whatever the price tag is) or hit em up with a a large bill after the fact. The US should'nt charge its citizens in a time when they need help. Its like sending a huge bill to the people rescued during Katrina.

The other side of me says, WTF are Americans doing in Lebanon anyway!? Dont these folks know the middle east is prob not the best place to be now adays!? So part of me says, hey you guys arent that bright for hanging out in countries that have terroist groups roaming the streets!

The news tonight had this astounding factoid: There are 25,000 Americans in Lebanon! 25,000! What's the attraction there?

[Skitterpop]

Originally Posted by Backbeach Jake

The news tonight had this astounding factoid: There are 25,000 Americans in Lebanon! 25,000! What's the attraction there?

Pita bread