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http://hammeroftruth.com/2006/07/17/us-to-bill-americans-evacuating-lebanon/
It’s pretty pathetic that even after Congress recently approved $2.46 billion (yes, billion with a “B”) for military and economic aid to Israel through FY2007, Americans who are now in the wrong country that those armaments are targetting are essentially getting screwed. Americans who are now trapped in Lebanon because of the recent (justified/unjustified/whatever) retaliatory bombing by Israel’s military can expect to be airlifted to Cypress and get a loan for commercial flights home, but everything will have to be paid back (via Boing Boing):
One of Andrew Sullivan’s readers, an American in Beirut, reported to Sullivan that the U.S. government’s offer to evacuate Americans to protect them from the Israeli blitz comes with a price tag: “They are finally getting everything together today, but they dropped a little surprise: they are going to be billing us for giving us emergency transport to Cyprus, and then basically dropping us off on our own to get commercial flights back to the US. Most other governments evacuating people here are actually flying them back to their home country without cost. But not the USG.”
MSNBC has more details of the clusterfuck the State Department is dealing with:
[highlight]In statements e-mailed to Americans in Lebanon and posted on the embassy’s Web site, the State Department has stressed “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.”[/highlight]
Frankly, I’m not one of these people who’s going to hammer on Israel for bombing the shit out of Hezbollah and the arguably sympathetic Lebanese government that can’t/won’t control them. But when USians are in harms way that Uncle Sam has gladly funded, and those same people can’t get out of there without having to pay… something is terribly wrong with our approach to foreign policy in that region.
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"A careful study of anti-semitism prejudice and accusations might be of great value to many jews,
who do not adequately realize the irritations they inflict." - H.G. Wells (November 11, 1933)
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Posted : 18/07/2006 1:34 pm
Topic starter
http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/lebanon/PR_07_15_06_State_Announcement.html
Frontpage Headline
U.S. Embassy Information for American Citizens in Lebanon
July 15, 2006The U.S. Department of State continues to work with the U.S. Department of Defense on a plan to help American citizens depart Lebanon. As of the morning of July 15, we are looking at how we might transport Americans to Cyprus. Once in Cyprus, Americans can then board commercial aircraft for onward travel. Commercial airlines provide the safest and most efficient repatriation options to final destinations. 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 the trip directly handled by the U.S. Government, Americans will be asked to sign a promissory note and will be billed at a later date. The U.S. Embassy will release additional information as it becomes available to include specific details about the transportation arrangements and the costs travelers will incur. We will also work with commercial aircraft to ensure adequate flights are available to help Americans depart Cyprus and connect to their final destination. The Department of State continues to work around the clock to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. The U.S. Embassy encourages Americans to register with the U.S. Embassy, preferably on line at http://lebanon.usembassy.gov or by fax at +961 4 544 209 or +961 4 544 037. The U.S. Embassy reaffirms the firm, enduring and non-negotiable commitment of the United States to Lebanon and the Lebanese people.
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"A careful study of anti-semitism prejudice and accusations might be of great value to many jews,
who do not adequately realize the irritations they inflict." - H.G. Wells (November 11, 1933)
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Posted : 18/07/2006 1:39 pm
Hopefully these are the kind of promissary notes israel gets from the U.S., the kind that never has to be paid back.
Posted : 18/07/2006 1:40 pm
...even after Congress recently approved $2.46 billion (yes, billion with a “B”) for military and economic aid to Israel through FY2007, Americans who are now in the wrong country that those armaments are targetting are essentially getting screwed. Americans who are now trapped in Lebanon because of the recent (justified/unjustified/whatever) retaliatory bombing by Israel’s military can expect to be airlifted to Cypress and get a loan for commercial flights home, but everything will have to be paid back...
"Heheh...I'm smart."
"People, look at the evidence the truth is there you just have to look for it!!!!!" - Joe Vialls
Fight jewish censorship, use
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Posted : 18/07/2006 3:30 pm
I"m sure it's not as much as they bill you when you're laying on the floor dying of a heart attack, or when you have cancer, etc.
Posted : 18/07/2006 8:12 pm