Good topic. I've been thinking about this for the past couple days. However, I've been thinking more along the Constitutional and Libertarian lines regarding just what is the US governments responsibility to American citizens who, for whatever reason, are oversees when hostilities break out in that area. I mean, the Constitutional militia and US military were conceived with national defense in mind. That is, national defense consisting of protecting the nation at its physical boundaries, not American interests wherever across the globe they might reach.

I'm reading this morning criticisms of the US gov't's evacuation response being too slow and poorly organized and executed. Hey, this isn't Katrina, and I don't know that the US government has any responsibility, legal or ethical, to aid in the evacuation of American citizens who are in Lebanon. Further, does anyone have any idea why an estimated 25,000 Americans are in Lebanon when it is on the US State Dept. advisory list to not go there? Heck, I was in Italy in May, and if trouble began there, I'd figure it was my job to find a way out. Expecting the US gov't to come rescue me would be the last thing I would think of. Is this an example of what's wrong with Americans - a lack of self reliance?

Sincerely,

Salmo g.