CNN: Photo of US family in Lebanon, holding signs, passports: Get us out!

[DeepModem Mom]

U.S. family: Get us out of Lebanon
Parents and children hear bomb explosions all night
By Kate King
CNN
Tuesday, July 18, 2006


The Esseily family anxiously awaits evacuation from Beirut.

(CNN) -- The Esseily family was winding up a vacation in Lebanon when the airstrikes began. Nearly a week later, they're still looking for a way to get back to California....

***

"I have two kids (and) a baby, and they're scared. I'm scared," Esseily said. "First time I've ever encountered something like this."

The Esseilys are among tens of thousands of Westerners stranded in Lebanon Tuesday waiting for help to arrive. Monika Esseily said she's in contact with many other Americans in Lebanon and that all of them want to get out.

"They're pulling out their hair, they're crying, they're saying 'What's going on?' They're being rejected from the American Embassy," she said. "The American Embassy is still saying, 'We will call you.' That's all that they will say."...

***

The Esseily family registered Thursday with the American Embassy to get on the list to evacuate but so far haven't heard anything, she said.

"I just would love them to contact the Americans and say ... 'Hey, we know you're here, and we'll protect you, and we'll get you out.' Even if we have to pay, I don't care... They need to contact us," she said....

***

Tony Esseily is Lebanese, and Monika Esseily is American. They made the trip this summer so their 9-month-old son, T.J., could be baptized in Lebanon....

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/18/stranded.family/index.html

[OhioChick]

1. Such a shame.......

reminds me of Katrina.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. yah

[DeepModem Mom]

3. Reminds me of the signs on the roofs! nt

[proud patriot]

7. Yes , I've feeling the same abandonment

that I felt in the aftermath of Katrina

[Raine]

31. That was my first thought

too. Reminds me of the signs people had on their roofs and at the convention center where they kept yelling "help". :-(

[erknm]

61. I guess I am alone on this one

because I do not see Katrina again. I agree that the US should try to get US citizens out of Lebanon if they want to leave. However, the US Dept. of State has had a travel warning issued for travel to Lebanon for some time now. People went there, flaunting the warning. One woman interviewed on CNN the other day said that she had been out and back three times with no problem, so she just ignored it.

None of the residents of Mississippi or Louisiana could control the hurricane, they we stuck where they lived. However, travelers to Lebanon were told it was dangerous by the US and discouraged from going there. They have to take some responsibility for their own act of traveling to a known dangerous place.

FH

[adriennui]

66. thank you,

my words exactly. of course we will get them out but they were there inspite the warnings of the state dept.

[jeff30997]

4. Another great Bush accomplishment!

[cboy4]

5. We should dispatch "heck of a job Brownie" to help that poor family - -

uhhhh, then again, maybe not. :eyes:

edit: just to say it looks like a lot of people beat me to the New Orleans jokes!

[LittleClarkie]

6. Who can we call or write to pressure to do something?

And is Bush still over in Europe goofing around like he was during Katrina?

[DeepModem Mom]

9. He was back at the WH today. nt

[Chipster]

29. State Department is Responsible for Evacuation

Call Condi - she's responsible.

http://www.state.gov/

http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php

I saw earlier on TV that the French have already evacuated all of their citizens. I just have to mention that because of all the barbs hurled at them.

Maybe if Bush wasn't busy assaulting the German Chancellor at the G8 it would be done by now.

He sure is showing that being American is second-class citizenhood. Imagine sitting there showing your passport and pleas for evacuation.

I hope no one has missed the point that American warships will be in the area, either. They certainly weren't needed to fly or sail Americans out of there.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

43. Welcome to DU, Chipster.

[CottonBear]

8. Katrina redux. Sorry Esseily family. Gore wouldn't have allowed this. nt

[C_U_L8R]

10. Republicans are pathetic

they really don't know much but they sure do make a mess of things.

This country is truly masochistic if it ever again elects a republican.. for any office.
It's like inviting disaster... well actually it IS inviting disaster.
Republicans are an utterly disasterous plague upon this country.
The sooner we clean house .. the better

[Scout Finch]

13. Why?

What is the precedence of America flying vacationers in foreign countries back home? For the past 20 years the Mideast has been a place of unrest and danger. You take your family to vacation there at your own risk.

[progdonkey]

14. have to agree...

If you're a government employee stationed in, say, Lebanon and you need to be evacuated, the government is obligated to transport you out of there, because it was the government that put you there in the first place.

If you're an employee of a private firm, it is up to that company to pay for your transportation, not the American taxpayer; the company put you there, it's the company's responsibility to get you out.

If you're a private citizen who decides to vacation in Lebanon(!), it's your responsibility to pay for your transportation out; you put yourself there, so it's your responsibility to get yourself out.

We can't have the US government running around, rescuing Americans who decide to spend their summer vacation in Chechnya, Somalia, or wherever. Only when the US government put those Americans there does it have any duty to get involved.

[Bark Bark Bark]

15. Sounds Like FEMA Apologists Talking About New Orleans

"...Why did all 'those people' live in a place where there are hurricanes, anyway? We cain't be bothered t'rescue people too stupid not t'live above sea level."

Some people visit Lebanon because they have family there. (It's actually not that uncommon.) And this family isn't stuck because of a flat tire or something; they're ****ing TRAPPED in what turned into a war zone overnight. Should I avoid London? 'Cause, you know London's been attacked recently...

To fold one's arms and say, "we're going to leave you to your fate because we're not legally obligated to help you" is...well, I can't say, because it'd get deleted.

Let's just say this: one day, like the children in that picture, you may find yourself in their shoes through no fault of your own.

If and when it happens, DO savor the irony, won't you?

[progdonkey]

16. oh, please...

There's a huge difference between being unable in an emergency to leave a US city due to poverty and vacationing in the most unstable region in the world.

Yeah, London's been attacked recently, but the region isn't a hotzone. If I told my friends, "I'm vacationing in London," they'd say, "Have fun"; if I told them I was vacationing in Beirut, they'd say, "Are you nuts?!" If there were a repeat of the London bombing, they'd say, "Holy shit! What the hell is going on there?!" If Beirut turned into a warzone, they'd say, "Well, it's Beirut; we're shocked. Shocked!" For London to turn into a total warzone is completely unexpected, but Beirut?! I mean, fucking Beirut?!

I'm not saying they should be left there to die, but they shouldn't bemoan the fact that they should reimburse the government for getting them out of somewhere in an incredibly unstable region they chose to go to. That they may have been visiting family is completely irrelevant.

If I decided to vacation in a world hotspot, and things happened to go to hell when I was there, I'd of course want the US government to get me out, but if they couldn't, I wouldn't bitch that it has an obligation to save my vacationing ass--especially without my reimbursing it for the cost.

And as far as being in that position, my mother was actually one of the main people (if not the point person--I honestly don't know) at the US Embassy in Jakarta for evacuating US personnel when Jakarta went to hell. She was one of the "essential" people, so she had to stay back (I was luckily out of the country the entire time), so I certainly know what it's like to have family members barricaded in their homes in a virtual warzone. Not to mention that the US government put her there and told her to stay, so I have much more sympathy for government workers who were stationed there than for vacationers who decided that the Middle East would be a lot of fun.

[sweetpotato]

34. Do you suppose

that they flew in? And planned to fly out? Are the airports open? I thought they were bombed first.

[bluemarkers]

40. interesting POV

But I find it telling about our current decider that many other nations are moving ahead quickly and getting their people out.

There are many Christians in Lebannon. I wonder why the Fundies are not a bit more sympathetic to their situation? Many Americans visit Israel...if they were trying to get out of there, would the feeling be so callous? But of course, this is a moot point, the State Department wisely will not bill for the rescue. But there may be a lot of people stuck in Cyprus.

Personally, I find it horrible we are not pressuring Israel. They took out the airport pronto. Didn't they think foreigners might like to leave? I think Israel is providing the Decider with some cover over Iraq. The region is so destablized with our attack on the sovereign nation of Iraq, Iran and their wild eyed scheme of domination has a much greater chance of success. So I guess, the US should foot the bill all the way home.

considering all the money we pump in, seems like we would have got a tip this was going to happen....

[erknm]

62. I agree

By the way, Lebanon is an absolutely beautiful country, and a great vacation spot, except for the odd missile or two.

Seriously, the beaches are fantastic, mountains beautiful, just a great place. It is obvious why it is such a desirable vacation destination, particularly for those who have or have had family there. Most locals will tell you that they stay out of southern Lebanon, but northern Lebanon is a great place, as are the mountain villages. Nonetheless, going there, you have to presume some responsibility for getting stuck. I travel internationally regularly and sometimes go to some hairy places doing volunteer work. I have had to travel with bodyguards in Belarus, in Turkey, and surprisingly in Brazil. I do it because I love it and never expect the US to bail me out for a voluntary decision.

The amount of money we are talking about is relatively small on the grand scheme. However, I am somewhat offended by the attitude of those who were trapped for a week. I would be willing to pay everything I had to get out, without whining.

FH

[Binka]

17. How Very Republican Of You

Two very callous folks just got put on ignore.

[Skittles]

20. OMG BINKA

I HEAR YOU

[Binka]

24. When Detroit & Charlottesville Are Attacked What Will We Hear Then?

Can you believe this on DU? :hi:

[Skittles]

25. we need to get them out because it's the right thing to do

I don't care why they are there !!! :hi:

[northernsoul]

42. Because the primary function of any government is to protect its citizens

When I hear that 25,000 Americans are in mortal danger - I want my government to get off its bloated ass and do something about it. Otherwise, what's the point of having it around?

[truth2power]

52. Speaking of government and bloated ass...

I just got off the phone with Sen. Voinovich's office (OH). I suggested to the phone person that Sen. Voinovich go knock on the door of the WH and tell Bush to get moving and arrange to get these people out. The response was that Bush doesn't listen to Sen. Voinovich.

You can't make this stuff up. :banghead:

[erknm]

63. Do you not see the difference?

I agree that the US should collect its citizens, I don't think anyone said otherwise. However, the most recent State Dept. warning came shortly after the elections that promoted the Hesbolah(sp?) to prominence.

I do not think it is unreasonable that those who voluntarily ignored US travel warnings should pay to get back. At some point, people must take responsibility for their actions. This is why this situation is different than the failures following Katrina or the possible attack on our home soil. By and large we are talking about wealthy folks here, not too many folks from South Central LA are taking Mediterranean vacations. This money can feed alot of homeless folks.

FH

[annabanana]

60. yup

(little patience for victim blamers)

[Cybergata]

28. If I could tell the government where to put my tax dollars,

I would ask them to use it to help families get out of Lebanon. In fact I'd rather they give it to wino on the street to get more wine than to have it used to fund a war and the the widening of the class war that is taking place in this country.

[RaleighNCDUer]

46. Beg to differ, but

WE ARE THE FUCKING GOVERNMENT.

This is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. The people are not an entity seperate from the government, nor is the government seperate from the people. The government's duty is what we say it is.

This is not the same as kids cashing in their return tickets to spend a couple extra weeks in the Greek islands. These are american citizens whose lives are in immediate jeopardy. If the government wants to sue for reparation once they are back in the country, fine.

But first, get them the fuck out of there. That is the ONLY consideration at this point.

[K8-EEE]

21. Maybe Because Your Tax Dollars Are Subsidizing The Bombs

That are chasing you out?? But do nothing to rescue you?

It's the Freeper argument: Oh they shouldn't have even been in NOLA, oh they shouldn't have been in Beirut.

It really makes Murka look like a third world country when all these other countries have these evacuations and we just leave our citizens stranded cuz it's their "fault."

[K8-EEE]

22. Well, People Move To Israel Knowing It's "Risky"

Are they going to reimburse the US taxpayers for all the money they get to defend them from "the riskiness?" Would you expect eternal resources going there, but if US citizens were stuck there make them pay to be rescued. Is that about right?

[TommyO]

33. We have to protect Americans

is one of Bush's favorite lines, and the reason for everything from illegal wiretapping and other onerous surveillance. Why isn't he protecting these Americans by getting them out of harm's way?

[tabasco]

38. What is the precedence of the USA to ignore the plight of its citizens?

Please find some examples in this situation outside this corrupt administration.

Taxpayers spend 1/2 trillion dollars every year for defense!

You're telling me this country can't evacuate its citizens from a danger zone???

Give me a fucking break.

US citzenship used to have benefits.

It would have been a non-issue in our history for this evacuation to occur and to occur without cost.

Other countries don't have an issues evacuating their citizens.

[truth2power]

48. Ha hahaha....

Every time Dear Leader opens his yap it's to remind us that his job is to "protect the American people". Doing a heckuva job isn't he? Like everything else Bush says...BS.

BTW...TKAM is one of my favorite works. Ironic..I thought Scout was pretty insightful. Hmm...

[TalkingDog]

55. Personal Responsibility Surrenders

There is no way to compare these people to the Katrina victims.

These people had the money and wherewithal to buy a flight to the ME for several people, rent a hotel room and eat out at restaurants. They also had foreknowledge of the events that have been occurring there for literally thousands of years.

Now you could argue that they had no idea the ME was a hotbed of unrest. But that's the sort of head-in-the-sand out look that got this country in the shape it's in today.

Katrina victims had no money, no transportation and a government that purposely under built the walls (to save a bit of cash mind you) channeling the waters and as a result the levees broke. There were a few people who foresaw this, mostly scientist who were summarily ignored by the WH. But the general population had no clue.

I don't feel sorry for this family.

I don't go to dangerous neighborhoods at night and generally not by myself in the daytime. I know the risks of doing so, which include getting mugged or shot at. You would call these people irresponsible parents if they took their children to a crack house with guns lying around, but taking them into a region that has a longstanding hostility with it's neighbors is OKAY?


My favorite Future Famous Dead Artist: KarenParker

[AspenRose]

59. Vacation or visiting family?

He's of Lebanese extraction. They used to live in Lebanon. They wanted the baby baptized there.

That doesn't sound like vacation...that sounds like visiting relatives.

[erknm]

64. Seems like a distinction without a difference to me

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

65. LOL.

I don't know, visiting my family isn't much of a vacation.

:P

[Straight Shooter]

11. "Lebanon" is Arabic for "New Orleans"

So, God created the world and all that was in it, in less than 7 days, but bush can't be bothered to get American citizens out of Lebanon?

This is one very disturbing photo. :(

[BrightKnight]

12. Removing the expats is not going to help Israel or Lebanon.

Destroying Lebanon is a really bad idea. It would be far better to maintain Lebanon as a prosperous and livable place.

Hezbollah deserves every bomb and bullet that Israel hits them with. You do not kill the patient to cure the cancer.

This is not going to end well for anyone.

[Up2Late]

18. I sure hope Rummy and Cheney are enjoying their Hunting trip!

...or where ever the hell they are.

Also Day 7, Cheney and Rummy MIA! Or AWOL, depends on your level of hate for those two dirt-bags.:banghead: :mad:

[progressivebydesign]

19. Embassy touting a "website" to keep in touch with people?

How fucking stupid is THAT?? Helloooo? Ya think that most of the folks who need to leave may not have internet access or even electricity? Did the selection of Bush make everyone in the government stupid? Or did he appoint stupid people on purpose?

Those poor folks trying to get out.. and those poor folks who have to live there. I just heard that israeli ground troops are going in now... god help us all.

[K8-EEE]

23. Shades Of Katrina Again, With The Useless Website.

I remember combing all those websites looking for a friend, all I found was several dupe notices that he was missing, all posted by different people, there was no way to cross-ref anything, also no official spot just "try the Red Cross, try this, try that."

Just completely stupid. He ended up drowning in the streets after having called home and been seen in news footage in the days after the storm. He survived the storm, his official cause of death was Lack Of Rescue, Lack Of Anybody Giving A Shit.

[grateful581]

26. this is unbelievable!

Our government doesn't care if Americans live or die anymore.
F**K you president bush.
GET AMERICANS OUT OF HARMS WAY NOW!

Note: it is NOT written that this family is concerned on how much money our government wants.
they just want out.

[MuseRider]

35. We are and have always been

the Bush** administrations #1 enemy. They prove it once again.

[clyrc]

27. I just saw this on CNN

I wondered if American CNN would show the interview. That woman was ANGRY. In fact, scared, angry, and she also seemed a little surprised. They are staying in the Christian area of Beirut, and they thought they were safe.

[CanOfWhoopAss]

30. No American Left (behind?) nt

[bennywhale]

32. Thats one way to keep your kids calm, get them to

hold up signs saying we are fucked help us. Whats wrong with a board game and it'll be ok dear.

[RaleighNCDUer]

51. You think the kids don't know they're in trouble?

I've never been big on lying to the kids. If you do, and the shit starts to fly, they'll be even more helpless.

My dad was in N. Germany during the Cuban missile crisis, and we took a little three day trip into the countryside - but I knew, at 8 yrs old, that it was because the base might well go 'poof' under a mushroom.

don't hide it from the kids.

[tabasco]

36. Can't make any money rescuing people.

The corrupt Bush corporate cabal is only interested in profiteering.

Anyone who can't see this at this time is blind.

[marmar]

37. WTF?

France, Sweden, Russia, the Netherlands, Canada...and even Bulgaria have managed to get their people out. Why does BushCo hate Americans so much?

[malaise]

39. They are alive

Lebanese are being murdered and starved, penned in like hogs on behalf of the US government and the Zionists from Britain and Europe.
As usual Europeans and Americans flee and leave others to die for their economic benefits. I no longer care who gets out. Maybe when more Americans have to see how the rest of the world suffers for American and European interests, this planet may have a renewal of conscience.

Fuck George Bush and the Zionists. Fuck the Europeans who remain silent while they live in comfort. Silence is complicity. Escaping is too easy.

[AndyA]

41. Proof that being an American has its privileges...

American Embassy: "Are you an American citizen wanting to leave out of fear for your life? That will be $2,500 - check only, please. We don't take cash or credit cards. Oh, no checks? Here, sign this. It says you promise to reimburse the government for the cost of transporting you to safety. Oh, you can't afford it?



















Well then, NO SOUP FOR YOU! NEXT!!"

This is a disgrace. Bush needs to tell Israel to stop the aggression immediately, or they will lose all support from America. Same goes for Lebanon.

What a miserable failure we have for a President. A war monger who loves death and destruction. I guess ole George thinks it's better than HBO - and it's live, too! No delay!! :(

[truthpusher]

44. Hey DeepModem Mom...

I posted this last night...certain that this would make it on the front page...and I was right, except, it was your post that was posted later than mine? I am just curious...was there a reason for this or did the person in charge of the forum just make a mistake?

link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1669314&mesg_id=1669314

[DeepModem Mom]

45. I'm so sorry, truthpusher. I searched before I posted...

but I must not have searched the right word or words for your post to come up. I didn't think the article had been posted. I don't know why this post is on the homepage. Again, sorry.

[truthpusher]

49. no biggy...I just wanted to be certain it wasn't for a reason I was...

unaware of... like, I haven't donated in a while, so maybe that makes the mods be more selective? Thanks for your comment though - I apreciate it

[DeepModem Mom]

53. Oh, I don't think so. My guess is...

that my post was somehow the first one seen. Maybe because it was posted later, it was nearer the top when posts were placed on the homepage. I've often nominated something for the Greatest Page, and then find a similar post that was, in fact, posted earlier -- especially in GD, which moves so fast.

[dogday]

47. Just another thing this clown has not done right

He just does not care about us... We are ants....

[wordpix2]

50. don't think GW's maladmin will save you from ANYTHING--hire a boat & go!

[confludemocrat]

54. Bush is in the pocket of an Israel that bombs christians and americans

Israel is bombing christian sectors of Beirut without a word from this joker
25,000 Americans in Lebanon, no mention from Bush of any cease fire to let them get out
Americans crossing the border from Lebanon seek refuge not from the U.S. but from SYRIA (?!!)
Meanwhile Dems are silent and Hillary and other Dems endorse the attacks without condition.

[BOHICA06]

56. 7,000 miles from home in a war zone .... guess what?

You're responsible for your own sorry butts .....

"We want the US Government to pull our butts out of the fire a good 7,000 miles away when the country we have choosen to visit, live in, or study in harbors a suicidal sect of freedom fighters that can't seem to stop sticking their thumb in a military giant's eye."

NOT .... sorry we'll get to you when we get to you.

[AspenRose]

57. Damn this government....DAMN THEM, DAMN THEM, DAMN THEM

:argh: :banghead: :cry:

[Mir]

58. Attention Esseily Family!

Find the nearest Europeans, run to them, grab them and hold on for dear life. And don't worry, they don't make people buy tickets to get out of the clutches of death!