Thursday, July 20, 2006
Sunny Lebanon -- Wish You Were Here!
Unless you've been under a rock, you know that Israel recently launched a military offensive in Lebanon. In the last couple of days, the U.S. government has been evacuating Americans to Cyprus for further transfer back to the U.S. via charter flights.
Here's the latest. Within the last hour, the first evacuees arrived at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in the DC area.
From the AP report by Brian Witte, "Officials said an estimated 8,000 of the 25,000 U.S. citizens in the country wanted out."
Two questions. First question: The 17,000 U.S. citizens who want to stay--What are they thinking?
The destruction in Lebanon is no laughing matter. I understand that some of those who stay might be Lebanese-Americans with family ties there. There are over 3 million Lebanese Americans in the U.S. If you are Lebanese-American, this post is not about you. It is about people looking for somewhere to holiday for less pressing reasons than visiting family. My heart goes out to those who's families are in danger.
So what about the non-Lebanese-Americans who are staying? How many are reporters, maybe 50, 100? Are the rest tourists? I'm all for hanging in there when the going gets rough, but once bombs start dropping, I say vacation's over. Honey, take a picture. We're leaving.
Second question: Of those tourists who evacuated, why did you decide to vacation in a war zone in the first place? Anyone traveling overseas should at a minimum visit the website of the Department of State for a heads-up. Today, they still have a January 20 description up, and even it is ominous.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_948.html
Here are some of the choice selections from the January 20 description at the State Department website.
"Since February 2005, there have been 15 separate bombings in Lebanon, resulting in ten dead and 121 wounded."
"Americans have been the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon in the past. The perpetrators of many of these attacks are still present and retain the ability to act."
"Tensions remain in Lebanon's southern border with the possibility of Hizballah and Palestinian militant activity at any time."
"In addition, dangers posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance throughout south Lebanon are significant..."
You get the point. Don't go on vacation to places where there is a possibility of "militant activity" at any time. I'm not advocating avoidance of all risk, mind you. Just because there are Basque separatists in Northern Spain doesn't mean you should never go to Spain. But to my knowledge the Basques aren't particularly anti-American.
Moreover, Lebanon is a relatively small country (~4,000 sq mi), smaller than Connecticut (~5,500 sq mi). It's much harder to avoid trouble in a small country than a bigger country (depending on the kind of trouble, of course).
Let's say the trouble is confined to southern Lebanon. I suppose you can enjoy yourself on the Med and be the only American on the beach. But if the crap hits the fan, where are you going to go? Syria? That sounds like a plan.
If people want to risk their own necks, that's fine with me. If you endanger your family, I can't stop you. Just be prepared when someone questions your judgment as you board the armored landing craft I just helped pay for to save your butt.
You are welcome to disagree vehemently.
As for me, I'd much rather go to Cyprus.
For current travel warnings, go here:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
Here's the latest. Within the last hour, the first evacuees arrived at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in the DC area.
From the AP report by Brian Witte, "Officials said an estimated 8,000 of the 25,000 U.S. citizens in the country wanted out."
Two questions. First question: The 17,000 U.S. citizens who want to stay--What are they thinking?
The destruction in Lebanon is no laughing matter. I understand that some of those who stay might be Lebanese-Americans with family ties there. There are over 3 million Lebanese Americans in the U.S. If you are Lebanese-American, this post is not about you. It is about people looking for somewhere to holiday for less pressing reasons than visiting family. My heart goes out to those who's families are in danger.
So what about the non-Lebanese-Americans who are staying? How many are reporters, maybe 50, 100? Are the rest tourists? I'm all for hanging in there when the going gets rough, but once bombs start dropping, I say vacation's over. Honey, take a picture. We're leaving.
Second question: Of those tourists who evacuated, why did you decide to vacation in a war zone in the first place? Anyone traveling overseas should at a minimum visit the website of the Department of State for a heads-up. Today, they still have a January 20 description up, and even it is ominous.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_948.html
Here are some of the choice selections from the January 20 description at the State Department website.
"Since February 2005, there have been 15 separate bombings in Lebanon, resulting in ten dead and 121 wounded."
"Americans have been the targets of numerous terrorist attacks in Lebanon in the past. The perpetrators of many of these attacks are still present and retain the ability to act."
"Tensions remain in Lebanon's southern border with the possibility of Hizballah and Palestinian militant activity at any time."
"In addition, dangers posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance throughout south Lebanon are significant..."
You get the point. Don't go on vacation to places where there is a possibility of "militant activity" at any time. I'm not advocating avoidance of all risk, mind you. Just because there are Basque separatists in Northern Spain doesn't mean you should never go to Spain. But to my knowledge the Basques aren't particularly anti-American.
Moreover, Lebanon is a relatively small country (~4,000 sq mi), smaller than Connecticut (~5,500 sq mi). It's much harder to avoid trouble in a small country than a bigger country (depending on the kind of trouble, of course).
Let's say the trouble is confined to southern Lebanon. I suppose you can enjoy yourself on the Med and be the only American on the beach. But if the crap hits the fan, where are you going to go? Syria? That sounds like a plan.
If people want to risk their own necks, that's fine with me. If you endanger your family, I can't stop you. Just be prepared when someone questions your judgment as you board the armored landing craft I just helped pay for to save your butt.
You are welcome to disagree vehemently.
As for me, I'd much rather go to Cyprus.
For current travel warnings, go here:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
