NO PETS! 1 suitcase, 30lbs to exit Lebanon.

[partylessinOhio]

Just reported on MSNBC.


Shades of Katrina, when those who got to the Superdome had to leave their pets to die and dump most of the stuff they tried to save.

Edit to update with information from Department of State:

Lebanon Situation Update
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Mon Jul 17 2006 15:30:56 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time).

This Warden Message is to update Americans to the ongoing security concerns in Lebanon. The Embassy is monitoring the situation in Lebanon closely and is reviewing all options for assisting Americans who wish to depart Lebanon. The U.S. Department of State continues to work with the U.S. Department of Defense on a plan to help American citizens safely depart Lebanon. Additional information on departure plans, as it becomes available, will be released via the media, Embassy warden announcements, and on the Embassy website. The Department of State continues to work around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.

Beirut International Airport, which is severely damaged by bombings, remains closed. Americans who wish to depart Lebanon should prepare important travel documents such as a valid U.S. passport, birth certificates, and other civil documents such as marriage certificates, and medical records.

Once U.S.-sponsored travel arrangements are in place, travelers will each be allowed only one small suitcase. We give priority to U.S. citizens but will consider departure assistance to Legal Permanent Residents accompanying a U.S. citizen immediate family member. ONE guardian may accompany an American citizen minor, even if that guardian is not an American. The guardian must have a valid passport and a U.S. visa, if traveling to the U.S. We understand that neither Lebanese nor Americans need a visa to enter Cyprus. Pets will not be allowed to travel. ...

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/lebanon_update.html

[Purveyor]

1. Screw 'em. If I couldn't take my dog we'd just tough it out... n/t

[partylessinOhio]

3. State Dept. can blame it on that rinky tink cheapo cruise ship they booked

for the transport. No room for luggage and no accommodations for four legged creatures.

Why do Repuglicans hate pets? Remember Frist.

[hlthe2b]

10. ditto.... how dare they charge $300 for a trip to Cypress

on some rickety ass ship and refuse to let people take their pets and at least a full sized suitcase. Average Americans literally paying for failed Bush* policies, once again...


And, yes, i'd rather stay back and take my chances...I'd never abandon one of my beloved pups like that....

[uppityperson]

2. charging for the rescue too.

[robinlynne]

5. I find that amazing. If we, the taxpayers are paying for the military,

and the military is doing the evacuating, where is that money going to go, meaning the moeny the US govt collects from the departing Americans? straight to Halliburton?

[uppityperson]

6. triple taxation, your dollars at work!

I don't know, I wish there were a place on tax forms to say what money was to be used for. BUt that is another issue for another time

[high density]

19. So we can get transported for free now?

That's great... There's a concert in London I'd love to see this fall. I'll call up the Feds and see what they have open.

Sorry, but these people went there on their own. I think it's enough of a gesture that the federal government is overseeing the logistics of getting them out. Why should it be free?

[Popol Vuh]

25. Why should it be free?

Well.... Then why should we pay any taxes? Isn't emergency services one of the big reasons we pay taxes for?

I apologize if I am incorrect, but it appears to me that what you're saying isn't much different than having a highway built using tax money, then charging the tax payers to drive on it.

[high density]

26. Emergency services == evacuation from Lebanon????

Sorry but these people took a risk by visiting Lebanon. There's no reason why the federal government should be expected to extract these people for free.

[Popol Vuh]

28. "There's no reason"?

Are they Americans? Are they Americans who've paid taxes?

Sorry, but I am having a hard time understanding how someone could so easily turn his back on his fellow countryman.

I am curious....if Americans who have traveled abroad were abducted and killed. Would you expect our government to find and bring to justice those responsible? Or would you turn your back on them and say "oh well, they took the risk and why should the government be expected to do anything about it"?

[high density]

29. Well there has to be SOME sort of personal responsiblity here

I mean why the heck do we buy travel insurance, or any insurance at all for that matter, if the USA should be expected to bail us out for free every time something bad happens in our life?

[Popol Vuh]

32. Insurance? We're talking about an emergency here..

Again, then why pay taxes if we can't count on our taxes? Also, are you saying that people should be held responsible for OTHER people's actions? Because I don't remember any of these Americans having anything to do with the occurring events.

Reading your post, I am inclined to think that if it were up to you, you would cut out help programs such as welfare, food stamps, medicare, disaster relief, etc.

My apologies if I am sounding confrontational with you. Its just that I find it hard to believe that a Democrat would expect a tax paying American to pay for something their taxes already paid for.

[Solon]

34. Is that you Brownie?

In reference to FEMA mismanagement, let's see, I believe ONE of the reasons we HAVE a government is to PROTECT ITS CITIZENS. We don't get charged for police protection, nor for fire protection, hell, no matter how badly FEMA fucked up Katrina, at least they didn't charge people for getting on a bus to leave. Why should this be any different?

[high density]

43. I dunno, maybe it's different because they're in LEBANON? (NM)

[grasswire]

41. you don't live in Florida, do you?

(Just asking)

[TankLV]

49. They did no such thing. It wasn't an "emergency situation" until a few

days ago.

Until then, it actually was doing pretty good.

How you gonna stop someone from visiting their family?

[uppityperson]

30. There is a difference between voluntarily going to a concert and evacuatio

evacuation from a war zone. My tax dollars go to not only pay for schools and the military, but to help USA citizens in this sort of situation (emergencies such as fire department and evacuations).

"I mean why the heck do we buy travel insurance, or any insurance at all for that matter, if the USA should be expected to bail us out for free every time something bad happens in our life?" We are not asking for a bailout every time something bad happens, but in the case of emergencies that it is very difficult to handle on ones own, that is what the government is for. Next time your house is on fire better be prepared to take personal responsibility for putting it out.

[Zhade]

44. Are you in danger of being blown to bits at a London concert?

How is your analogy anything other than nonsense?

[high density]

45. Well, before I travel someplace...

I like to ponder the probabilities of getting blown to bits and/or stranded in the middle of a war. Let's see... Lebanon: HIGH PROBABILITY OF BAD SHIT HAPPENING.

Sorry, but the Americans living in Lebanon or traveling there took a risk and I don't understand why we should be expected to pay to get them out.

[Zhade]

51. Because we're not fucking animals like conservatives?

What if they got robbed? Will their kids being blown to pieces satisfy your shark-like economic scroogery?

[eyesroll]

4. I can understand the limits on "stuff" if space is tight...

I'd rather get two people out than one person and a bunch of photo albums.

Pets, I'm torn. On one hand, I think in cold terms it's better to say "I left my dog behind so my daughter could get out" than vice versa. Especially when travel is international and quarantines, customs, etc., will slow things down.

HOWEVER, in human terms, it can be just as heartbreaking to lose a pet as to lose a human family member, and a no-pets policy will necessarily mean many people just won't leave.

[welshTerrier2]

7. pets are family!!!

those who don't understand that deserve the death sentences they are ordering ... good pet owners will not leave their pets behind ...

[partylessinOhio]

8. Great post! Pets are family if you love your pet.

The pets taken from the Katrina victims were herded into a stairway and shot. Others were left to wander without food and water until they died.

The new FEMA guidelines are supposed to include pets in evacuations. Now I don't believe it.

There is no difference between a pet in a hurricane or a war. NO DIFFERENCE!

[Totally Committed]

14. I hear ya!

There is no way I'd leave my dog. No way. She means the world to me and has never given me anything but happiness, pleasure, and love. I'd stay and tough it out with her and -- who knows? -- maybe we'd find our way out together.

TC

[leetrisck]

9. why should we get

them out at all - they got there, didn't they?

[tanyev]

11. Well, if they could get flights out of the Beirut airport, I bet nearly

all of the trapped Americans would be willing to get themselves out.

[AlienGirl]

27. Ask Hiro, the DUer whose family is stranded in Beruit

Hiro is usually in the Lounge, giving updates as he hears from family and friends; his parents and brother are stranded in Beruit. Ask him whether it's worth getting them out of the way of the bombs.

Ask the government workers who were paid and told to go there by the same government that is now charging to save their lives.

Tucker

[win_in_06]

12. If its a life or death situation, then Fido has to stay in Beirut.

After all, only Amcits can get on the ship. Would you deny a seat to a non-US citizen while allowing the family parakeet to leave?

You have to be realistic here.

[welshTerrier2]

13. that's crap

you do whatever is necessary to make a policy that allows people to take their pets ... didn't you see what happened in NO? many stayed behind to care for their pets ... i commend them!!!

thanks for backing up the "we don't give a damn about anything bush regime" ...

do you own a pet? i hope not ...

what you're missing here is that there is no way i would ever leave my dog under any circumstances and i'm sure many people feel exactly the same way ... apparently those who are cruel and heartless do not ...

fix the damned policy; don't condemn dedicated pet owners to remain in a war zone ...

[LynneSin]

36. That's easy enough for us to say back home in the US

I am not happy with the policy and I know I would find it difficult to evacuate without my two cats. However, it's a nightmare over in Beriut and who are to pass judgement on anyone who opts to evacuate the country and possibly leave their pet behind. I hope to never mind myself in that situation so I can find out how I would have to deal with the situation

[welshTerrier2]

42. a couple of points

first, you asked "who am i to pass judgment?"

well, i am entitled to my opinion on the conduct of others and my view is that good pet owners are deeply dedicated to their pets and value all life equally ... i understand others might disagree but those are nevertheless my views and values ...

what's probably more important here is that the policy is absolutely bogus ... i believe this same policy was in place in NO and i believe (not sure) it has since been reversed ... the main reason given was that many residents stayed behind ...

it's easy to say "well, that's the CHOICE they made" ... a good policy would have taken into account the choices that people do make ... a good policy would have found a way to meet the needs of the people which for many, includes their pets ...

the US policy is an outrage ... you might as well tell me people have to leave their children behind ... for me, and i understand many disagree, there is NO difference ... my dog is family ... period!!

if the policy makers choose to value people over pets, so be it ... they should then give first priority to people and NOT say that pets will not be transported ... let those with pets be treated as second class citizens and be remanded to the second wave of flights ... to ban pets altogether is diseased thinking ... it lacks humanity ... it lacks compassion ... it epitomizes a cold, heartless bureaucracy ...

[Totally Committed]

15. If it's a life-or-death situation for you,

it's the same for your beloved pet. I'd no more leave her behind than leave a child behind. Being a pet-owner is a committment.

TC

[win_in_06]

16. That's a personal choice. NEO plans are clear that humans get

priority over pets for evacuation, and that there are no guarantees for the pet. Those who live in Beirut were aware of that when they decided to have a pet, I'm sure.

Pets are great but when it comes to saving human lives, the priority is clear.

[niyad]

24. my cats are far more important and valuable than the entire f******

administration, AND a whole lot smarter, too. there is no way I would EVER leave my beloved companions behind, EVER.

[leetrisck]

17. I would stay behind with my pet

it's that simple - I do understand the policy - it's always been that way but I love my animals and I would stay with them.

[win_in_06]

18. I'm sure there is an evacuation plan for the pets...after the citizens

are safe.

[Totally Committed]

20. That's all well and good, but...

I'd no more leave my dog to fend for herself than I would a child. My choice would be to stay behind until we could leave together or find our own way out.

TC

[win_in_06]

21. Like I said before, that's your choice, but would you really leave a child

fatherless because you couldn't let go of the leash? Get the dog a chip, put him in a kennel and get to safety with your family seems like a reasonable thing to do, especially in a war zone with no runways.

[Totally Committed]

23. I have to admit... I wouldn't go to a war zone with my pet.

But, if I were already there, all I'm saying is I couldn't leave without her.

TC

[TankLV]

50. I can't imagine having or taking a pet into a war zone.

But (1) it wasn't a war zone until recently, and (2) what if I lived there for a long time.

First, I'd refrain from adopting a pet at all. I'd help support the local shelters and secure adoptions from the local population.

Second, even tho I've been very vocal as a firm believer of pets as children, meaning would you leave one child behind to save another - this has me torn.

I would sacrifice my personal joy it obtaining a pet in the first place.

I did that for over 20 years until circumstances changed where I can now have 3 wonder golden recliners and a fat and sassy cat who adopted US.

[high density]

22. I guess that's why I don't take trips to the Middle East with pets.

Who ever could have expected that something would have gone wrong?

[JerseygirlCT]

46. Absolutely agree. People first.

If there is a shortage of room for people, then the pets wait.

[IndianaGreen]

31. And they have to pay Uncle Sam $300 to pay for their evacuation

How white of Bush!

[Totally Committed]

35. Isn't this the sort of thing the taxes we pay year after year

should cover???? I dunno, but this government really is out for every buck they can pry from every American's hand. I guess this is what we can expect from a government that has privatized and corporatized EVERYTHING.

Gimme, gimme, gimme.... but, don't even THINK about taking your pet with you.

TC

[underpants]

40. Um yes it is

but that won't stop W&Co. from using this as an example of how you shouldn't be relying on the government for this AND how people of means wouldn't have to wait so maybe you should stop whining about it and go make some more money you lazy government employee hippie type you!

That being said. I have no problem with limits on what you can take. Sorry it sucks but this is the situation and everyone has to deal with it. They can't let people bring anything and everything onto a copter fore the weight limits alone but also because if they did people would show up with the kitchen sink. Leaving a pet is a hard choice, I would hope I wouldn't and if that was my decision I have to deal with it and wave to the copter as it leaves.

[subversive_smurf]

33. George Bush hates puppies!

And he hates the poor, too. We can have tax cuts for the rich, but if some poor American wants to get out of a fuckin' war zone, it's $300? WTF?

[Kolesar]

37. Just like the disaster in Old Orleans last year where 85% of the pets died

[RebelOne]

38. CNN just showed some people being evacuated

and I saw one man taking a dog on board a ship. And it was a big dog, a golden retriever.

[lynne]

39. Where does it say $300??? Link??

I've read the article twice and I don't see anything about a fee. Is that info found elsewhere? Does anyone have a link regarding the fee?

As far as pets - as much as I love my three labs - I think that the line has to be drawn in favor of humans. I would not want a member of my family to not be able to leave because someone's dog got their space. And - can you imagine the fiasco if one animal bit another - or bit a person? Then you would have to deal with evidence of rabies vaccination, quarantine, etc.

Sorry - people first. Pets second.

[JerseygirlCT]

47. No one will be charged. It's been waived. nt

[rubberducky]

48. If I couldn`t take my pups

I`d have to figure a way to stay. Forget your belongings,your pets. Just be ready to pay the piper. We are not even going to tell you how much we will charge. Just sign on the dotted line, we`ll catch you later!!!!!!