I'm kind of wishing the Canadian government had not rescued people from Lebanon.

[War Lord]

I suppose what they really wanted was a trip on the QE II.

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=9929256a-70c6-40c4-9451-3df1e6a359cb&k=49311

Ottawa didn't do enough, returnees say

EDMONTON - Family members rejoiced in the Edmonton International Airport on Thursday night as they welcomed relatives returning from Lebanon.

But even as they expressed joy and relief, they had bitter words for how the Canadian government has handled the situation, both at home and abroad.

Fayed Saraya left to visit relatives in the town of Kfarkouk in the Bekaa Valley on June 2. About five days ago, he found a cab to drive him through the closed roads to the Syrian border.

Along the way, he saw bombs falling on the road.

"It's very dangerous," Saraya said. "But the situation was getting so bad, I knew I had to get out. I am very concerned about my family (in Lebanon.) People are feeling very scared. Nothing is working there anymore.

"All they do is look for a little bit of food to store away in case the war goes on for awhile -- food is getting scarce."

When he arrived in Syria, Saraya found chaos.

"It's overflowing," Saraya said. "They can't take that many people. They weren't prepared."

Saraya said people are taking advantage of the situation by charging different rates for a hotel room. He said some pay $500, while others pay only $200.

Fayed Saraya hadn't seen his wife or children for two months.

His wife, Seham, has been waiting anxiously for days.

"He took a risk, because he wanted to come home so badly," said Seham. "When he phoned me from Toronto, I didn't believe it. I'm so glad he's home."

"I found out that we have the worse embassy of them all," Saraya said. "I tried to phone so many times. If you do get through, it's busy. You leave a message, they never phone you back. You go to see them, they don't even talk to you -- they turn you away at the door."

Saraya said the French opened the doors of the embassy to their citizens. He watched the television constantly, but all he saw was news from other countries, like Britain, Australia and Brazil. Nothing from Canada.

"It's not good for us," Saraya said. "Everyone usually looks to Canada, but in this situation it was completely the opposite."

Nabil Abdulgany waited for his wife, Rachelle, and their two sons.

"It was the worst experience of my life, the last 10 days," Abdulgany said. "I feel happy, so happy that they're home."

His daughter, Reema Abdulgany, said her family was able to get home because her father had a contact who arranged their flight out of Syria.

"They risked their lives to get to the Syrian border. I can't believe they made it alive," Reema said. "My dad had a contact there. If he didn't know someone, it would have taken weeks."

But even while the families are relieved to have their relatives safely home, they expressed bitter disappointment with the way the Canadian government has handled the situation.

"I just have to say I'm very disappointed in the Canadian government," Reema said. "We just spoke to somebody who went to the ships yesterday. They risked their lives to go to Beirut, and then they were told to turn around and go home, as there are planes flying in the air, shooting people down. I feel so bad for the people still there."

"Canadians should find out the truth, and tell their politicians to do something," Saraya said. "If the government doesn't want to be involved politically, I can understand that. But at least look after their citizens and know where they are. I don't say they have to provide food for people, but get them out of there. Just get them out."

[JLBats]

I wish you had been there, Jonty. It would be interesting to see how you would handle the situation:rolleyes:

[Darthphere]

Jonty should run for president, but that would involve leaving his house.

[War Lord]

I wish you had been there, Jonty. It would be interesting to see how you would handle the situation:rolleyes:

My point is that the Canadian government did respond the best way it could under the circumstances and there is a distinct lack of gratitude among those that were rescued.

[JLBats]

My point is that the Canadian government did respond the best way it could under the circumstances and there is a distinct lack of gratitude among those that were rescued.

And if it were a Liberal government running this operation, would you feel the same way?:rolleyes:

[War Lord]

And if it were a Liberal government running this operation, would you feel the same way?:rolleyes:

Absolutely.

My complaint with the Libs is that they were beyond redemption where corruption was concerned and their inability to get anything significant done.

The Conservatives have done more in their six months than the Liberals have done in 13 years.

[Addendum]

Silly refugees. Be grateful for the busy signal and closed door :rolleyes:

[War Lord]

Silly refugees. Be grateful for the busy signal and closed door :rolleyes:

Silly patriots, going to volitile countries and expecting peace and expecting to be rescued by their countries despite their stupidity.

[Darthphere]

Silly patriots, going to volitile countries and expecting peace and expecting to be rescued by their countries despite their stupidity.


They shouldnt leave their houses like you. Be a leader Jonty!

[Addendum]

Think of the possibilities for gas stations in Lebanon!

Seize the day

[War Lord]

They shouldnt leave their houses like you. Be a leader Jonty!

They can go anywhere they want, but they shouldn't be expecting to be rescued if they put themselves in harm's way and should be grateful if they do become rescued.

[War Lord]

Think of the possibilities for gas stations in Lebanon!

Seize the day

Why would I want to run a gas station in Lebanon when they're already a dime a dozen?

[Slipknot]

Jonty should run for president, but that would involve leaving his house.
Hahaha. :up:

[Addendum]

Jonty's just upset that someone has the audacity to criticize his government and nation because those in charge share his political ideology.

He's a 40 year old child

[War Lord]

Jonty's just upset that someone has the audacity to criticize his government and nation because those in charge share his political ideology.

He's a 40 year old child

There is such a thing as constructice criticism and useless criticism.

Criticizing a government for circumstances that is within their control is constructive criticism. Criticizing a government for things that are beyond their control is useless criticism.

[Addendum]

So why ***** when someone complains about busy phone lines, unanswered calls, and a shut door at the embassy?

You want to help rescue people? Be efficient.

But then, it's government so that's asking way too much

[War Lord]

So why ***** when someone complains about busy phone lines, unanswered calls, and a shut door at the embassy?

You want to help rescue people? Be efficient.

But then, it's government so that's asking way too much

To really be efficient in such a situation, you'd need a fleet of ships in every part of the globe ready to go.

It's not possible to have.

[Addendum]

I'm talking abot what happened at the embassy.

Not dumb boats

[Slipknot]

I find it funny that Jonty complains about the people who are complaining. I can't imagine what Jonty would do if he was over there. He watches people getting killed, hearing bombs explode all over the place... Jonty would piss his pants. I love how the good caring Christian heart of Jonty shines brightly yet again in this thread... as he wishes his own government would not help citizens of his own country get out of a war torn area because they complained.

[Mrh7448]

Well I would consider in a place like this that the embassies should have contingency plans in place. The whole middle east is pretty volatile and they should have some idea of what to expect should events like these occur.

[bored]

Once again, Jonty proves how little he understands.... anything.

[JLBats]

Once again, Jonty proves how little he understands.... anything.

On emotions... dead wrong.

On basic human decency... dead wrong.

And on basically everything... dead wrong.

It's time for change. It's time for accountability. Vote for anyone other than Jonty.

[Hooligan32]

My point is that the Canadian government did respond the best way it could under the circumstances and there is a distinct lack of gratitude among those that were rescued. If the Harper governement had the balls it would have denounced Israel's massacre and done what it could to push forward a cease fire in hopes that we wouldn't have to evacuate anyone at all. It's seems a mite hypocritical for them to be saying; "Canadian citizens, it's incredibly dangerous here because Israel is killing indescriminately so pack your **** cause we're getting you out of this terrible hell hole that we're helping to create with our silence."

[Hooligan32]

**** Harper.

[xcan28]

They can go anywhere they want, but they shouldn't be expecting to be rescued if they put themselves in harm's way and should be grateful if they do become rescued.

War...you know I rarely agree with you, but you are 100% CORRECT on this point.

The sad thing is alot of these ungrateful f'ers don't spend teh majority of their time in Canada (my observation of course;) ).

If they aren't living here does that mean "we" should foot the bill as they are being...in-convienced?? No f'in way!

Why are these "Canadians" there anyways?? Travel?? I can dig and should be rescued.

Sent to a summer camp for children?? Hmm...a flaw we have in our government. Putting money into these countries so the Lebanese parents can allow their children to create a continuos cultural divide?? Not cool. Be a good Canadian parent (financially AND culturally) and let them experience CANADA. But they are children led by non grateful immigrants so they get a pass:)

Convienent "dual citizenship" buggers who only choose the Canadian title when it's convienient?? Stay there....support your home because Canada doesn't want you. Stay in Canada, pay your taxes, become a valued member of society and then you can claim to be any part of Canada.

Don't b'tch...don't whine. Your sorry excuse for a Candian a's is home...enjoy your benifits:)

[War Lord]

I'm talking abot what happened at the embassy.

Not dumb boats

There is only so much an embassy can do prior to a conflict at getting nationals out of a country and it can't do anything during a conflict.

[Superman4ever]

Once again, Jonty proves how little he understands.... anything.

Thank you...:up: :)

[War Lord]

I find it funny that Jonty complains about the people who are complaining. I can't imagine what Jonty would do if he was over there. He watches people getting killed, hearing bombs explode all over the place... Jonty would piss his pants. I love how the good caring Christian heart of Jonty shines brightly yet again in this thread... as he wishes his own government would not help citizens of his own country get out of a war torn area because they complained.

I didn't say that the Canadian government shouldn't help nationals, but the nationals should be grateful for the help received and not gripe how it wasn't good enough.

[War Lord]

Well I would consider in a place like this that the embassies should have contingency plans in place. The whole middle east is pretty volatile and they should have some idea of what to expect should events like these occur.

Embassies do have contingency plans in place, but there is only so much they can do and they can usually only help a few people at a time, not 50,000 people simultaneously.

The first place of responsibility is on the person himself. It's up to the person to find out how dangerous a place they plan to visit in the first place and take recommended precautions.

[War Lord]

If the Harper governement had the balls it would have denounced Israel's massacre and done what it could to push forward a cease fire in hopes that we wouldn't have to evacuate anyone at all. It's seems a mite hypocritical for them to be saying; "Canadian citizens, it's incredibly dangerous here because Israel is killing indescriminately so pack your **** cause we're getting you out of this terrible hell hole that we're helping to create with our silence."

You mean, fall into place with most of Europe, much of the Middle East and other places and not stand up with an independent opinion?

[War Lord]

**** Harper.

I'm praying he forms a solid majority of 200 seats just to spite you.

[Addendum]

There is only so much an embassy can do prior to a conflict at getting nationals out of a country and it can't do anything during a conflict.
I know. It must be hard to pick up a telephone and dial a phone number of a person who left their number when they called, and the person answering that call said "Let me take your number down so I can call you back."

There is a specific term for people like that, and they don't exclusively work at embassies...

"****ing lazy-ass"

[War Lord]

I know. It must be hard to pick up a telephone and dial a phone number of a person who left their number when they called, and the person answering that call said "Let me take your number down so I can call you back."

There is a specific term for people like that, and they don't exclusively work at embassies...

"****ing lazy-ass"

When there might be 50,000 phone calls to return, it could be difficult.

Let's do a little math.

Assuming that each phone call takes about two minutes to just get enough information to allow the person and their family aboard and let's also assume that each family is on average 3 people, so that's about 16,666 phone calls.

16,666 x 2 minutes is 33,333 minutes, which equals about 555.5 hours of phone calls, which equals 23 days. Even if you had a staff of 10 doing nothing but returning phone calls, it's still going to take about 2.5 days to return every call.

[Hooligan32]

You mean, fall into place with most of Europe, much of the Middle East and other places and not stand up with an independent opinion? Right, because going against the popular majority is what defines a stance as being right.:rolleyes: Read your posts over before you post them and try to actualy understand what you're saying.

[bored]

When there might be 50,000 phone calls to return, it could be difficult.

Let's do a little math.

Assuming that each phone call takes about two minutes to just get enough information to allow the person and their family aboard and let's also assume that each family is on average 3 people, so that's about 16,666 phone calls.

16,666 x 2 minutes is 33,333 minutes, which equals about 555.5 hours of phone calls, which equals 23 days. Even if you had a staff of 10 doing nothing but returning phone calls, it's still going to take about 2.5 days to return every call.


I think the call room in a government embassy, especially in a time of crisis, is going to have more than ten people working the phones. Could be wrong, but it just seems to make more sense.

[Addendum]

Jonty's just making excuses for inefficency because the Canadian government is now one that he likes.

It's typical partisan bull****

[comicgirl]

Jonty should run for president, but that would involve leaving his house.that ain't happening.............computer chair will get cold:o :)

[jaguarr]

And, Jonty continues to reach newer and newer lows as a human being. Way to go, dude! :up:

jag

[triplefive]

I didn't say that the Canadian government shouldn't help nationals, but the nationals should be grateful for the help received and not gripe how it wasn't good enough.
It's a human condition. Nothing is ever good enough.


And I agree with you. It's like, they're all complaining about government inefficiency, because that's so much more worthy of complaint than the war zone they were just rescued from. Hm.

[Mr Sparkle]

There is such a thing as constructice criticism and useless criticism.

Criticizing a government for circumstances that is within their control is constructive criticism. Criticizing a government for things that are beyond their control is useless criticism.

they should say something like

"I hate and despise this country now! I am the Anti-canadian!!!!":):up:

LOL, if this had been the previous governement you would've jumped on their backs, and used this as an excuse to label them "innefectual"

Jeeeeeeeesus Jonty, at least be Honest with yourself.
just look at the change in your custom title and location, and I know Canadians, and some of them disagree with the things the current governement is doing yet none of them are anti-canadians.

guess they're just constructive.:(:up:

[War Lord]

Right, because going against the popular majority is what defines a stance as being right.:rolleyes: Read your posts over before you post them and try to actualy understand what you're saying.

Going against popular stance is more likely an independent position that taking the same one as everybody else.

I thought I'd point that out if you weren't aware.

[War Lord]

I think the call room in a government embassy, especially in a time of crisis, is going to have more than ten people working the phones. Could be wrong, but it just seems to make more sense.

Actually, probably not.

Embassies, for routine positions, tend to hire the locals. Unless, the country is very important, don't be surprised if the only staff from a foreign country is the ambassador and secretary, with everybody else (cooks, drivers, and such) being comprised of locals.

It creates employment and goodwill.

[War Lord]

Jonty's just making excuses for inefficency because the Canadian government is now one that he likes.

It's typical partisan bull****

I only complain about my government when it's about something that's under their control.

[War Lord]

that ain't happening.............computer chair will get cold:o :)

It's self-heated.

[War Lord]

they should say something like

"I hate and despise this country now! I am the Anti-canadian!!!!":):up:

LOL, if this had been the previous governement you would've jumped on their backs, and used this as an excuse to label them "innefectual"

Jeeeeeeeesus Jonty, at least be Honest with yourself.
just look at the change in your custom title and location, and I know Canadians, and some of them disagree with the things the current governement is doing yet none of them are anti-canadians.

guess they're just constructive.:(:up:

I am also now constructive.

[War Lord]

And, Jonty continues to reach newer and newer lows as a human being. Way to go, dude! :up:

jag

I like achieving, it makes me feel good.

[GoldenAgeHero]

Silly patriots, going to volitile countries and expecting peace and expecting to be rescued by their countries despite their stupidity.


i agree. alot of people are complaining about the government not doing anything, you go to another country thats having wars at your own discretion, a country should'nt be obligated to save your ass when you went there at your own expense anyways.
you know you country has been involved in turmoil for centuries, you shouldve gotten your ass at the first sign of trouble.