U.S. trying to figure out how to get Americans out of Lebanon..

[itzamirakul]

A reporter at CNN (Jamie) just spoke at a rostrum (looked like a WH news report ) said the U.S. might have to helicopter Americans to Cyprus for evacuation.

2. Then he said that those who had a way out on their own should take it (I guess that means private planes) but if the Lebanese airport runways have been destroyed then I guess private planes won't help.

3. He then said the best way would be to bring in commercial airliners to take Americans out.

4. Lastly, he suggested that Americans should just "sit tight and see what would happen."

So I guess the people who work as "private contractors" may have a lot to be concerned about if this is going to be "open war."

[AndyA]

1. Bush should send Air Force One in to haul some Americans to safety.

Jesus would do it.

God would want him to do it.

But he won't do it because he's the Anti-Christ.

Actions speak louder than words, folks, and Bush just doesn't care. Aren't you freepers sorry you wasted your vote on the f*cker? You should be, because he wouldn't stop long enough to spit on your dead body laying on the sidewalk.

[Bretttido]

5. Hahaha, brilliant! n/t

[TomClash]

6. Sorry that's reserved for Bandar Bush nt

[itzamirakul]

12. There are 25,000 Americans in Lebanon...

They will bring out the embassy workers first if evacuation becomes necessary. Helicopters still seem to be the favored means of transportation.

[DELUSIONAL]

2. How about telling the Israelis to STOP bombing

innocent civilians??

They "target" people but hit scores of innocent civilians -- now Americans are in the cross hairs.

Go home Israel -- take care of your own people -- many of whom are below the poverty line.

Israel YOU don't have the money to bomb everyone you want to.

And as a taxpayer I am damned tired of paying for your wars. Just like I am tired of paying for bushie's wars.

I don't like war -- it doesn't solve anything.

War creates more enemies -- it might eliminate or weaken old enemies but new and stronger enemies are created.

[Skink]

3. Let's ask the Bin Ladens to charter a jet.

[Terran1212]

4. Send the US Air Force over lebanese territory to stop IAF bombing

If they really want the Israelis to stop that's what they'll do.

[cliss]

7. I just read on a Swedish online newspaper -

there are 2,000 Swedish people stuck in Lebanon. The Swedish foreign ministry has no way of getting them out...

This is SO bad.

[MadHound]

8. Frankly there are only two reasonably safe ways out

The first is by helicopter, for they don't need a runway. The second is a circuitous overland route, most likely winding up in Syria.

The airport runways have craters in them, no getting out by airline, or even private plane. Israel is blockading the ports, thus it probably isn't a good idea to try and run the blockade.

This is FUBAR plain and simple.

[itzamirakul]

9. The reporter mentioned that the problem with running helicopters

is that the distance between Lebanon and Cyprus is just a little far for copters...possibly they "just could" make it. No mention was made of overland routes. Maybe they think there would be greater opportunity for kidnappings.

[MadHound]

11. Hell, stick a destroyer or aircraft carrier out in the Gulf

And copter them to it.

And I think that the overland routes are OK, at least for now. I was listening to NPR's on site reporter, and he got through on the overland route, and said that other reporters are using the same route to get in. Let's start using it to get people out. Oh, yeah, that's right, Bush boy is off in Russia talking to Pootie Poo about pigs and such, and is completely out of touch with what's going on in the Mid East.

[nealmhughes]

15. How about a convoy to Damasacus?

It isn't that far... runways open in Damasacus, and probably in Aleppo also. Shoot, they could drive all the way to Turkey in a couple of hours (Antioch is almost on the Syrian border).

[uppityperson]

10. No just "private contractors" in Lebanon, but a lot of other people

diplomats, outright spys, people who live there but hold foreign citizenships, embassy people, doctors and other medical people, people on vacation, etc etc etc, not just "private contractors" (should I assume this is a euphemism for mercenaries?)of any type. Beirut is a beautiful wonderful city on the Mediterranean and this is such a shame.

[ComerPerro]

13. just curious... what happens when Americans die in this?

especially if they are just regular citizens.

And especially if they die in one of Israel's "misses".

Not that it would ever come up, they'd just blame Lebanon

[Solly Mack]

14. Bush would milk it for all it's worth

Terrorists kill Americans in Lebanon!