Well just to set the record straight I’m going to admit to a little knee jerk reaction like most people in the country when a “news” story breaks out . I’m talking about my story the other day concerning the response to getting American citizens out of Israel and in particular I thought it ugly that the U.S. Government would require the signing of a promissory note to pay back the cost of a rescue flight . Apparently the opposition did too as that was made very clear on the “news”. So I questioned ….. and found an answer .
It has been the law since 1956 that U.S. citizens accepting help from the Government to escape war, civil unrest or natural disasters be “asked” to sign form DS-5528 meaning they promise to reimburse the federal government the costs of evacuation . However since the inception of that law the fee’s have been waived on numerous occasions , but collected at other times in equal numbers by both Republican and Democratic administrations .
I didn’t know that … did you? I guess that’s my point .
That makes it understandable why so many suddenly stranded Americans clamored for the “free” flights out offered by the State of Florida . And there I go… knee jerking again. The thought of all these poor innocent tourists suddenly stranded by cancelled flights in a war zone paints a pretty graphic picture . I’m certain that is the case for many but I couldn’t help notice numerous interviews of those returning home. Seems that many of the U.S. citizens weren’t actually suddenly stranded as they’d been living in Israel for years . I also I noticed how many referred to themselves as being rescued with fellow Jews and not fellow Americans . In that case I’d say the Government asking for a $500 reimbursement to be reasonable terms .
At first I didn’t know that … did you ? I guess that’s my point .
On a happier note many have been safely removed from a war zone and for a moment or two that has distracted us from other seemingly endless bouts of chaos . One good piece of news just came up though , While Mr. Trump was campaigning in Iowa he is quoted as saying ….
” I’m willing to go to jail if that’s what it takes to win and make our country a democracy again ”
I’d consider those to be reasonable terms as well … but there I go, knee jerking again
