Escape from Beirut -- if you have the cash...

[BluePatriot]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/15/lebanon.advisory/index.html

"The Department of State continues to work with the Department of Defense on a plan to help American citizens depart Lebanon.....The Department of State reminds American citizens that the U.S. government does not provide no-cost transportation but does have the authority to provide repatriation loans to those in financial need. For the portion of your trip directly handled by the U.S. Government we will ask you to sign a promissory note and we will bill you at a later date."

WTF? I know this is probably some kind of standard procedure but I for one do not mind spending tax dollars to get fellow Americans out of a, uh, WAR ZONE. (arrrgh)

[larrysh]

1. What I have NEVER understood is.....

why the same State Department that is making these people sign Promissary Notes to get out of a war-zone (when being there is clearly not their fault), gave Lee Harvey Oswald air fare back to the United States, not only for himself, but for Marina and their child, as well.
Oswald had willingly defected to the Soviet Union! That one overly generous act, from a historically stingy State Department, has always left me wondering if Oswald was not more than met the eye.....

[JuniperLea]

2. I bet they'd fly your cocaine out for free

in exchange for weapons... if you have the right connections...

[Missy M]

3. The taxpayer pays for Bush to fly around in AF1 for fund raisers...

and visits to shoe factories but can't pay to get American citizens out of a war zone. Something is drastically wrong with this policy.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. Chef/author/ TV host Tony Bourdain is stuck in Beirut

Sounds like he and his crew are staying drunk in a hotel until the State Dept. provides some advise.

link to NY Post story by chefgirl in the Cooking/Baking group.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x23277