"How dare the government charge U.S. citizens (taxpayers) travel fees to return to the U.S.A.?"

If the Beirut airport was open no one would be whining about paying money for a ticket out or expecting a free ride.

Lenore,

Please explain to me why they shouldn't be charged. I don't feel I should have to pay for their return ticket...

Gotta agree with WAJ and Hugh on this one. I would suspect that those in Lebanon were there by choice and bought their ticket to Lebanon. I think the expense the taxpayers have incurred for their safe evacuation far outweighs the cost of a ticket.

"How dare the government charge U.S. citizens (taxpayers) travel fees to return to the U.S.A.?"

Yeah, let them get away with this atrocity and the next thing you know Bush will expect citizens to pay for their own food...or housing...or medical care...or prescription drugs... or...

Lenore,

Let me refer you to the following:

SEC. 201. EMERGENCY EVACUATION SERVICES.

Section 4(b)(2)(A) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2671(b)(2)(A)) is amended to read as follows:

`(A) the evacuation when their lives are endangered by war, civil unrest, or natural disaster of--

`(i) United States Government employees and their dependents; and

`(ii) private United States citizens or third-country nationals, on a reimbursable basis to the maximum extent practicable, with such reimbursements to be credited to the applicable Department of State appropriation and to remain available until expended, except that no reimbursement under this clause shall be paid that is greater than the amount the person evacuated would have been charged for a reasonable commercial air fare immediately prior to the events giving rise to the evacuation;'.

Congress reauthorized and amended this State Department section in 2003, and Democrats and Republicans, alike approved it (Nancy Pelosi voted to approve it). If Congress doesn't want citizens to be charged in such situations, then they shouldn't vote for these things. It seems that they approve these things for the right reasons, then when the politics get tough, they cave in and criticize Bush for administering the laws they approve for political gain. How stupid was it for Pelosi to criticize Bush for charging citizens for evacuation when she voted in favor of it? I suppose the answer is that she is a dingaling. You'd think that she would at least investigate the laws before she makes a stupid comment.

Americans in Lebanon traveled there with a warning from the State Department that the region was a troubled area, so there was every right to inform those people that they would have to pay the equivalent of a plane fare home, about $200.

Lenore, if you feel strongly about it, why not offer to pay for those citizens plane tickets home? You seem to be a good-hearted person as long as it involves government money. Why not pony-up with some of your own?

I wish you people would get off the Bash Bush Bandwagon. Bush didn't create this problem. We are not involved in that conflict, it's between Israel and Hezbollah. Just get over your hate for Bush and blaming him for everything that goes wrong in this country.

Where are you Demon Deacon? George Bush, flag burning, gay marriages, and Vernon Robinson. Now, you don't have to mention them.

This is a stupid LTE!

Bush has problems, but this is NOT one of them.

Charging folks to evacuate within the Middle East is as much a problem as Flag Burning, Gay Marriage and Prayer in Public Schools!

Get it? It is NOT a problem.

What a great example of the fragmented Democrats falling all over each other to condemn something they once championed!!
Pelosi voted for it and Harry Reid stood up and railed about how horrible it was.
I'm soooo glad the Dems can't get their stuff together.
8 more Republican years!!

"cack"bar,
On one thread you are bashing homosexuals and accusing others of not reading the bible....then you come on here with more of your tripe!

Combine your religious myopia with your politics and all you need to add is your support for owning assault weapons and you will be THE BASE of the Republican party. Ooops, about forgot the most important one--against stem cell research and abortion!

Now, why don't you tell Ms. Dunn what "cackbar" is...(LOL)

DD, you need more coffee, you forgot to mention Vernon Robinson.

Well Hugh,
you are so right! How is YOUR man doing with his search for High Profile Endorsements????
Let's just check in and see........

http://www.vernonrobinson.com/robinson_contents/endorsements/

What??? Not even Tom DeLay has endorsed him, and Tom has absolutely NOTHING to lose.

What about California's "B-1 Bob Dornan"?

How about the good conservatives at Pat Robertson's Regent University?

Dang, it seems the folks are running away from Vernon about like the Republicans are running away from old Elizabeth Dole--North Carolina's version of "worthless as teats on a man"!

Front page of today's N&R, under the fold! The right wingers in our state, who still defend her, need to realize that she will NEVER live in North Carolina again. She has not done so since college.

Oh, that's right...Vernon doesn't even live in the district he's running in! What a joke.

DD, your ignorant and divisive comments are what makes your party such losers.
Keep it up and help insure 8 more Republican years!!

Hugh,

Here is a great book that I think you would enjoy. Since JDR hasn't been on here lately, I imagine he's been reading it! Great book and shows just how scary things are, if you are paying attention.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670037745/102-6859496-4634567?v=glance&n=283155

It's not "Popular Mechanics" but it is good reading.

j"cack"bar,
Come to think about it, you really could benefit from reading the book too. It was written by a Republican, so it should have "instant" credibility with you.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0670037745/102-6859496-4634567?v=glance&n=283155

And how about telling everyone what your nom de plume means! (LOL!!)

j"cack"bar,
I forgot what a reconciler and healer YOU are. If my comments are divisive then maybe you should consider how badly you've been manipulated by your "leader".

Are you Marcus Kindley? (LOL!)

I see "THE DementedDeacon" is back to laughing at his own comments again. Hey DD, were you too "stupi(fie)d" to wash your bathrobe this weekend?

NickyDanger,
Obviously you are not on your way to a MENSA meeting!
(LOL!)

They could always save the airfare home and stay in Lebanon. I don't think there has been a forced evacuation has there? Secondly, I have a tough time believing most people who can fly to and live in Lebanon are suffering financial distress.

jackbar......demon deacon
billy yow......skip alston

seem familiar?