Please Pray for Big Island Resident Sarah Ahmadia

[manoasurfer123]

She only went to Lebanon to be with family and now she is stuck in this civil war over there.

http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/articles/2006/07/15/local_news/local01.txt



http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jul/17/br/br13p.html

[tutusue]

Sarah was featured on the KHNL news this morning along with a Punahou teacher, Rachel (didn't get her last name). They're amongst the 25,000 Americans being evacuated from the middle east.

The article you linked, Manoa, stated that Sarah's 2 siblings are currently located in NY and Indonesia. It didn't say where in Indonesia but that area had another tidal wave yesterday. Sarah's family is experiencing a very stressful time right now. Prayers, indeed.

[manoasurfer123]

Sarah was featured on the KHNL news this morning along with a Punahou teacher, Rachel (didn't get her last name). They're amongst the 25,000 Americans being evacuated from the middle east.

The article you linked, Manoa, stated that Sarah's 2 siblings are currently located in NY and Indonesia. It didn't say where in Indonesia but that area had another tidal wave yesterday. Sarah's family is experiencing a very stressful time right now. Prayers, indeed.
Yes indeed...

I'm in contact with one of her good friends that is in Florida and she has been able to sleep in four days... She has been text messaging with Sarah every few hours.

Please everyone keep your prayers going until she is safe at home on the Big Island.

[Miulang]

Sarah was interviewed by phone by MSNBC about an hour ago. She showed up at the checkpoint, just like she was told to this morning. She had with her 3 children (not hers) who were in her custody because their parents were caught outside Lebanon on a business trip when the airport was destroyed. Anyway, she said she and the kids stood out in the hot sun for 2 hours, made it through all the checkpoints and then were told there wasn't enough room on that Greek luxury liner for them. Apparently the State Dept was counting on some of the people they called to not show up, just like airlines overbook flights. Yeah, right. Like some people who are desperate to get out wouldn't show up?! So she said she, the kids, and about 200 others were denied boarding.

I'm just amazed at how calm she was while she was talking. She said the Embassy said they would get priority boarding on a helicopter tomorrow morning (probably in about 14 or 15 hours). In the meantime, I don't know what she and the kids are doing to keep themselves comfortable in Beirut. Man, is she going to have some stories to tell when she gets back.

Like the Hurricane Katrina debacle, if the government doesn't learn that it needs contingency plans for mass evacuations of citizens anywhere in the world, then I think they should all be fired.

Miulang

[Leo Lakio]

S-B's "breaking news" posting on it:
http://starbulletin.com/breaking/breaking.php?id=4677

[manoasurfer123]

Her family is a calm family!

Please everyone keep her in your prayers!

[Vanguard]

She's in my prayers.

[1stwahine]

She and her family has been in my prayers since it started.

All have been in my Prayers.

Auntie Lynn

[tutusue]

S-B's "breaking news" posting on it:
http://starbulletin.com/breaking/breaking.php?id=4677
Sarah's mother was interviewed this morning (local news) and said our government had no back up lodging plans for those who were denied boarding. It sounded like everyone was on their own in this regard. Sarah's brother, who is in Chicago, was able to book a hotel for her. Nothing was mentioned during that interview about her evacuating with other relatives.

[alohabear]

I pray for her family too. I've known her father(who is from Lebanon)for years, he is a good guy. The only thing I don't get is why would she go there now with all the anti-American feeling in the area in the past years? Didn't she read the US State Dept.'s travel warnings (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html) ? Knowing her dad, he must have warned her about this? Because years ago he told me he would NEVER go back.
Here's a travel fact sheet (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_948.html) on Lebanon. The warnings for American go back as far as 2005. Any tourist going there are warned, you might get stung when you walk in the hornet's nest :rolleyes: .

[Lei Liko]

I'm glad that Sarah was evacuated safely (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Jul/20/br/br07p.html)...

And I'll continue to pray for her till she's back home safe with her loved ones on the Big Island.

[manoasurfer123]

I'm happy she's out of their... Thank you all for your prayers!

She will be able to provide some really excellent history lessons for her students!

If I get wind when she will be landing in Honolulu... I will let anyone know for those that might want to welcome her back.

[1stwahine]

In this morning's StarBulletin http://starbulletin.com/2006/07/21/news/story05.html
Teacher 'thrilled' to flee Lebanon
By Rosemarie Bernardo

"Big Island teacher Sarah Ahmadia's week-long journey to escape Lebanon has ended with a short ride on a U.S. military helicopter to Cyprus."

"I am thrilled," Ahmadia told the Star-Bulletin yesterday in a cellular phone interview. "We finally got on the helicopter. I didn't actually believe we were going until we got on the helicopter.

"It looks like the U.S. government came through after all."

"Nobody seems to be taking an active role in this crisis," said Ahmadia's father, principal of Keaau Middle School, who was born and raised in Lebanon. "That's not acceptable. Our government and the world should not sit back and let this go on."

"I'm not a politician. I just want to see peace. Just leave Lebanon alone," he said.

Ok. Thank God she is out safely.

I have a question which was brought up by someone else earlier on the thread. Why did she or anyone want to go to a place that is considered a Hot Spot by US? Especially, when her father himself didn't want to return per alohabear. :confused:

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

Why did she or anyone want to go to a place that is considered a Hot Spot by US?

Blood is thicker than HOT water... she wanted and yearned to see her family. She has family from that that area... ...and was not traveling there as a "Tourist"

By the way...why did the chicken cross the road?

[1stwahine]

Blood is thicker than HOT water... she wanted and yearned to see her family. She has family from that that area... ...and was not traveling there as a "Tourist"

By the way...why did the chicken cross the road?

Manoa, I understand you know her and her family personally. My question is in no disrespect. However, visiting a Country whether as a tourist or not in a Red Zone where it is highly recommended by the US Government not to go to is confusing to understand. Why? :confused:

To put herself in Danger and find out the hard way. I assume she has learned a valuable lesson and will not visit anytime in the near future.

I'm glad she'll be back home safe on American Soil with family in the USA.

Auntie Lynn

[Miulang]

Tita, the Philippines (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html) are also on that State Dept. watch list. You mean you going tell me that if your relatives (who you have not seen in 20 years) in the Philippines asked you to come see them because Tata was going celebrate his 93rd birthday, and if you could afford the plane ticket, that you would say, "no I cannot come because my government said it was too dangerous"?


Miulang

P.S. Sarah isn't on American soil yet. She has to get out of Cyprus and fly to London and then she can get back to the States.

[1stwahine]

Tita Miulang, Yes. I have not visited the Philippines for the very reason. My late husband comes from Tagum, Davao del Norte which is a dangerous Region. A lot of Muslims and many ambushes.

It was already dangerous when I last visited there with my late husband and my children years ago. I made a promise not to return and bring danger knowingly to any of us. I have kept that promise.

When my Governement says not to go. I listened. When I saw first hand ~ I knew.

Nuff said.

Auntie Lynn

btw: I can afford a trip to PI or anywhere if I want to go. :rolleyes:

[Lei Liko]

Tita, the Philippines (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html) are also on that State Dept. watch list. You mean you going tell me that if your relatives (who you have not seen in 20 years) in the Philippines asked you to come see them because Tata was going celebrate his 93rd birthday, and if you could afford the plane ticket, that you would say, "no I cannot come because my government said it was too dangerous"?

My mother hasn't returned to the Philippines in 23 years. When her brother passed away in 1998, she couldn't bring herself to go back because she just didn't feel safe.

The State Dept.'s watch list has nothing to do with it. Mom knows first hand how corrupt the government and law enforcement is there and chooses to stay away. I have Hawaii relatives who enjoy making frequent trips to Ilocos Norte and they're just fine with it. Mom, on the other hand, feels that the bigger risk lies not with the Muslim extremists, but with the armed renegades that have terrorized her home province. I myself haven't been since I was 3 years old and have no plans to return. If mom doesn't want to go, I won't even bother.

People still travel to the Middle East despite the State Dept. warnings, but I don't think anyone really expected things to escalate like this. It's unfortunate that Ms. Ahmadia found herself in this situation, and while many will continue to question and criticize her reasons for being there, I think we should all just be quiet and be happy that she'll be home soon with her loved ones.

[1stwahine]

It's unfortunate that Ms. Ahmadia found herself in this situation, and while many will continue to question and criticize her reasons for being there, I think we should all just be quiet and be happy that she'll be home soon with her loved ones.

Wisely put. Agreed. ;)

Auntie Lynn

[CranBeree]

my stepfather moved back to the Philippines (Cebu) in 97...he ran for a government office and won...after a few months, my mother and him received death threats, bullets with ribbons wrapped around them saying RIP....my mom offered to pay plane fare so we could come and see them and see her dream home being built...we said no thanks we''ll see you when you visit us! i wouldn't put my family in danger. unless you know someone or have seen even some parts of the Philippines, only then can one realize the dangers of that country...i would'nt care if Tata was turning 100, i still wouldnt go!

[manoasurfer123]

Miulang...

AuntieLynn can afford many luxuries that many of us can not... One of those luxuries... is that she was priviledged enough to travel in the philipines while her husband was famous.

Money is not an issue in what I was trying to convey... I wanted to convey that Sarah has a prominant family in Beirut and she herself, when she chooses to, can look very much like she is a "local" there....

With that being said she would have been able to travel the streets fairly freely and not be associated as an "outsider"

Auntie lynn would look local going back to the Phillipines...however the crisis that has been going on there is a bit different and there for dangerous for even the local people that live there...this was a sudden uprise between two seperate entities...

The phillipines is fighting amongst themselves...

(please ignore some of my ignorance on this...I'm writing on emotions rather than facts)

[Miulang]

<sigh> Manoa, I wen already go explain to Tita that she took something that wasn't meant to be personal personally. Get plenty peeps when the ohana invite dem to come visit, dey go say, "eh, no can because no moa kala" (even when dey get da kala because dey no like visit da ohana). All I was saying was everybody gotta decide for demselves when they need to be with ohana and when they no like be with ohana (I tink da "no kala" excuse is one "nice" way of getting out of telling da truth, which is, "I no like see your stinking face!" ;) )

Miulang

P.S. Boy, Tita got you trained good now! :D And yeah, I was upset with the way the State Dept. wen go handle the evacuation procedures. Dem guys who got stuck in Lebanon neva have one clue dey were going get stuck ova dere. Now one moa ting making me all huhu. Get American Jews who actually going to Israel to live right now, even though they know there's fighting over there. If they get caught in the middle of things, then as far as I'm concerned, they can fend for demselves because they still going to Israel knowing that there's bombing lidat going on.

[1stwahine]

P.S. Boy, Tita got you trained good now! :D
heheheheheh...and then some. I wen Hanai him several months ago. :p

Heaven help us ALL!

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

heheheheheh...and then some. I wen Hanai him several months ago. :p

Heaven help us ALL!

Auntie Lynn
Yeah but you saw who got the whacks when I went walking....

who was soar on the right side of the body from whacks...

[1stwahine]

Yeah but you saw who got the whacks when I went walking....

who was soar on the right side of the body from whacks...

Manoa, you got to learn how to spell correctly!!!! It's "sore" not "soar" :p

Auntie Lynn

[poinographer]

There's a blogger from Big Island who is not so happy about Ahmadia's brush with fame, to put it mildly.

Link to his post (http://kalapanapundit.blogspot.com/2006/07/just-leave-lebanon-alone-whining.html)

[mel]

While I am happy that this lady will be home today in Hilo, she should not have gone to Lebanon. The State Department had long ago issued warnings to Americans to stay out of the country because of the region's volatility. Anyone traveling to the Middle East should realize that their lives are at risk and that they should be prepared to expect the worst.

[pzarquon]

I don't think anyone who goes to the area is unaware of its instability. But I'm sure the sudden and drastic nature of the conflict's escalation was a surprise to lots of folks. Besides, as people from Hawaii know quite well, the desire to return or visit home -- even just an ancestral or family home that one's never been to before -- can be quite powerful. There's a draw that, for some folks, supercedes any practical considerations.

Given all the warnings and reknown dangers, some folks shouldn't go hiking in the mountains. But, they do. And as much of a bother as it may be, and as much as even I joke that Darwin theory should just take care of everything, I'm glad a mechanism is in place to rescue those who get in over their head.

Sounds like Ahmadia has discovered, however, that America's ability to intercede isn't quite as flawless as she expected. For all her griping, though, I sure hope she's, somehow, grateful.

Unless the U.S., like some municipal rescue operations, issues her an invoice for services rendered!

[glossyp]

I confess to being amazed that Americans believe the government should come rescue them from foreign countries when hostilities break out. As a frequent traveller in a prior life to places on the State department's 'do not travel' list, I always went with contingency plans to get myself out whether that be being prepared to hike cross country, jump a cargo ship or float down a river in the company of questionable characters. I've only had to run twice but if I hadn't been prepared I'd probably not be here today. People who travel to dangerous places or simmering hot spots need to be prepared, self reliant and not expect big daddy to come rescue them.

[Miulang]

For people who think Lebanese Americans who were trapped in Lebanon at the outbreak of the current hostilities were foolish, what would you make of the young Jewish Americans (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/nyregion/23trip.html) between the ages of 18 and 26 who are going on 10-day jaunts to Israel in the middle of all of this?

Miulang

[1stwahine]

I watched the news of the arrival of Sarah Ahmadia this morning. She looks so much like our own, "AbsolutChaos!" :D

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

yes she does kind of look like Absolutchaos... Now I have to ask...What Ethnicity are you Absolutchaos?

when she chooses to, can look very much like she is a "local" there....

With that being said she would have been able to travel the streets fairly freely and not be associated as an "outsider"


I did mention that she would blend in over there and not stick out like a soar thumb didn't I?

[1stwahine]

In an article from the New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/436374p-367571c.html

"The White House said a 2003 law requires the reimbursement for rescues. "I dare say it's something that is causing heartburn for a number of people, but it is the law," said spokesman Tony Snow. Harty assured the public that no one will be denied boarding "because they left their checkbook or credit card behind."

I dunno how they going breakdown the costs but knowing Uncle Sam they will find a way. I'm certain her parents or anyone who had love ones there are not going to grumble...the main thing is their love ones is back home safe and sound.

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

as i said in the other thread...

In all seriousness...thank you US Govt. for getting Ahmadia out of the situation she was in... money is not an issue... if you want repayment... I'm sure the family wouldn't have a problem with it.

(cheaper than a funeral) :confused:

[1stwahine]

as i said in the other thread...

In all seriousness...thank you US Govt. for getting Ahmadia out of the situation she was in... money is not an issue... if you want repayment... I'm sure the family wouldn't have a problem with it.

(cheaper than a funeral) :confused:

"cheaper than a funeral is so uncalled for!" :mad:

Especially, when many are losing their lives. :rolleyes:

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

being honest and blunt...as always..
truth hurts sometimes

In response to me and aunties little spat :p

Please still keep your prayers going for all others still stuck in the situation that she was in... as well as the innocent people that are losing family members every day.

Manoa

[1stwahine]

For who Manoa? Who are you trying to impress? :confused:

I believe in Truth. I also believe in respecting others, situations and circumstances.

Auntie Lynn

[Miulang]

In an article from the New York Daily News http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/436374p-367571c.html

"The White House said a 2003 law requires the reimbursement for rescues. "I dare say it's something that is causing heartburn for a number of people, but it is the law," said spokesman Tony Snow. Harty assured the public that no one will be denied boarding "because they left their checkbook or credit card behind."

I dunno how they going breakdown the costs but knowing Uncle Sam they will find a way. I'm certain her parents or anyone who had love ones there are not going to grumble...the main thing is their love ones is back home safe and sound.

Auntie Lynn
Tita, the State Dept. only waived the $250 departure fee to get Americans from Beirut to Cyprus. Once in Cyprus, each person was responsible for finding the money to get back to the States. The State Dept. apparently chartered some planes to get people to Baltimore, and then from there they all got to their own homes. The people who were on those chartered flights might have to repay the government for that leg of the trip. In Sarah's case, I think she flew from Cyprus to London and then came back to the states on her own dime.

Miulang

[1stwahine]

Tita, the State Dept. only waived the $250 departure fee to get Americans from Beirut to Cyprus. Once in Cyprus, each person was responsible for finding the money to get back to the States. The State Dept. apparently chartered some planes to get people to Baltimore, and then from there they all got to their own homes. The people who were on those chartered flights might have to repay the government for that leg of the trip. In Sarah's case, I think she flew from Cyprus to London and then came back to the states on her own dime.

Miulang

Mahalo Tita Miulang for the clarification. Still a mighty small price to pay for one's life. I'm glad for everyone who returned safely home to their loved ones.

Lynn

[Lebanese Hilo Girl]

:) Hi, this is Sarah Ahmadia...
I just wanted to say thank you so much for your prayers and support. One of my friends googled me and found this strand that she thought I should check out. Kind of funny for a big island girl to find myself in the middle of a war!

To explain a little more, we did check out advisories ahead of time before we left. This was my first trip to Lebanon, where my father lived until he was in his twenties. The reason I have never gone before is because I was waiting for a time of stability. This was the highest tourist season Lebanon has had in years and no potential conflicts or even tension were on the radar of the U.S. State Department. We had absolutely no chance to get out because everything escalated so quickly. No one had any idea Israel would react the way it did.

I don't support either side, Israel or Hezbollah, in this situation. Both sides are killing innocent people. There is no right, but clearly some people are being wronged. The Lebanese people (many of whom DO NOT support Hezbollah) are being killed by Israel using American planes and bombs. My family over there had 5 missiles hit less than five hundred yards away from their house while I was in it. We are lucky to have escaped. They live nowhere near any Hezbollah activity, the Syrian border, South Lebanon, Beirut, or any other strategic military target!

Sorry for taking up so much space and thank you again for your prayers. They definitely worked. I never thought I would be so excited to see good old Hilo Airport! Aloha e mahalo nui!

[glossyp]

Sarah - welcome and thank you for taking the time to write to us. It is always good to hear directly from someone who has been the subject of a rather lively thread. You've had an experience you'll never forget - one of those life changing events that come up and catch us by surprise. We are so pleased you're home safe and sound.

[manoasurfer123]

Sarah -

Just fyi -

I started this thread cause Keala (Melissa) asked me to keep the prayers open for you.

Glad your home... Your students are going to have some great stories!

Manoa

[1stwahine]

Welcome Home Dear Sarah! Mahalo for sharing your thoughts and experience.

Auntie Lynn

[manoasurfer123]

The Lebanese people (many of whom DO NOT support Hezbollah) are being killed by Israel using American planes and bombs.
leave it to us Americans to provide the Weapons of Mass Destruction!

I just noticed this on the HT events calendar...! this is tonight!

Thanks to DKYImage for posting it... however, I thought that this would be a good thread to re-post the event.

July 26th, 2006 07:00 PM to 09:00 PM
Chairperson of the Israel Day Hawaii Festival, Pinchas Neuman, is putting together an emergency rally in support of Israel. It will be held at Waikiki’s Gateway Park, the ewa side of Kuhio and Kalakaua, Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 7:00 PM.

People from all religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to join in this peaceful gathering. Show your support and concern for Israel at this community candle-lighting vigil, and come to learn more about what the crisis in Israel really means and how it affects us all. It is also our intent to create awareness and peace through education.

Manoa is there!!! It's just around my corner.... anyone like join?

[tutusue]

:) Hi, this is Sarah Ahmadia...[...]
Welcome home, Sarah. What an experience you had; life changing, I'd guess. A book, maybe? ;)

[kamuelakea]

:) Hi, this is Sarah Ahmadia...

I don't support either side, Israel or Hezbollah, in this situation. Both sides are killing innocent people. There is no right, but clearly some people are being wronged.


That is an amazing statement. No difference between a democratic, civilized, prosperous, productive, pro-western (thats us guyz if you didn't know), rarely offensive, organized state who has never denied the right of any other country to exist in the middle east and............................

A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION WHO HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED THE RIGHT OF ISRAEL TO EVEN EXIST, but instead has sworn to "wipe Israel off the map". Your "equally not right or wrong" Hezbollah has so far shot 1700 missiles INDISCRIMINATELY into Israel. They started this by kidnapping Soldiers. Where's the Geneva Conventions?? Kidnapping is the act of terrorists. Indiscriminate firing of missiles are the acts of terrorists.

If the Lebanese are sooooo weak that they cannot control a terrorist organization in their own country then the Israelis have no choice but to go after them on their own.

How does an "organization" called Hezbollah get thousands of missiles anyway. They aren't a country. They don't have an economy. They don't produce anything beyond hate and murder. So how do they fund their war machine?

Hezbollah kidnaps and murders indiscriminatly and usually initially.
Israel constantly buries their women and children blown up in cafes and buses and usually kills in response to unprovoked attacks. The cowards of Hezbollah and Al Qaida hide amongst women and children and then cry when they are killed along with the rats.

You are the problem with the middle east. You are blind by your prejudice.

PS I have no connection to the middle east. I am not jewish or arab or persian and I THANK GOD EVERYDAY THAT I AM NOT. Because that is the true cesspool of the planet today. Middle East culture is THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE of Hawaiian culture.

God help them to grow up and become civilized human beings.

[manoasurfer123]

Kamuelakea -

Please give tita a break!!!! she wasn't there for any sort of political thing...she was just stating what she saw first hand.

Have you EVER been there? Until you can say that you have had the first hand experiences that Sarah has recently experienced... please be considerate to those that care about her more as a person than as a political tool.

Manoa

[kimo55]

right on, fish that is jellylike and that is also blue!

[kamuelakea]

Kamuelakea -

Please give tita a break!!!! she wasn't there for any sort of political thing...she was just stating what she saw first hand.

Manoa

You should think about statements like hers (Terrorists Hezbollah and the Democratic Isreal are "equal" and that "there is no right") They go straight to the source of Middle East hate and intolerance.

If civilized people cannot discern between murderous terrorists and civilized humans trying to defend themselves, then we are going to get more murderous terrorists.

This kind of thought and language is what is perpetuates the misery that is the Middle East. Yes, all sides have grievances. But some sides are murderous terrorist rats and should be identified and marginalized as such. It's always amazed me at how the average Arab on the street NEVER attacks the terrorists amongst them without an excuse regarding Israel, American oppression, etc etc. Why are they so incapable of calling a terrorist a terrorist? THat is the source of war. In fact that leads me to an interesting thought.

I think that the "source of war" in the Middle East lies more with women like the Lebanese woman who lives in Hilo than it does with the men committing the killing. Women like this one never stand up and speak up against the hate. I think they can stop it but their silence fuels the hatred.

I once heard a saying: "Until Arab mothers start loving their children more than they hate the Jews, Middle East hate murder, mayhem will continue."

That is why I won't give someone who equates a terrorist group with Israel a break. Groups like Hezbollah are drawing us into a third world war.

You know, if I lived in a community or country and an outside criminal group was using my community as a staging ground to attack one of my neighbors, I wouldn't react with "oh well, nobody is really right or wrong, everybody has a point, if only my neighbor would pack up and move,... then the problem would be solved."

No. I would say GET THOSE RATS OUT OF MY COUNTRY. I would say I don't care what your grievances are, don't use MY neighborhod for YOUR crimes.

But not the Lebanese. Not even American Lebanese who should have a more objective perspective. Its always equivocation and excuse and ignore and justify. Fascinating and sickening.

Heres what our friendly Al Qaida leader had to say today. Any you want me to believe that there is "no right or wrong" side to this situation?

"The war with Israel does not depend on cease-fires. ... It is a Jihad for God's sake and will last until (our) religion prevails," al-Zawahri said. "We will attack everywhere."

Al-Zawahri wore a gray robe and white turban. A picture of the burning World Trade Center was on the wall behind him along with pictures of two other militants.

Now compare this to the Israelis? No right? No wrong?

[sinjin]

Welcome home.

[Miulang]

Perhaps this political disagreement should be carried on in the thread "The Real Middle East War (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=9214)"? I think everyone is agreed that we are all grateful that Sarah has returned safely, which was the whole point of this thread.

Sling all the mud you want in the other thread. Sarah was put into a very difficult situation by forces that were out of her control. She managed the whole thing with aplomb and grace, and as such, was a perfect representative of Hawai'i.

Welcome home, Sarah.

Miulang

[Leo Lakio]

She managed the whole thing with aplomb and grace, and as such, was a perfect representative of Hawai'i.
Welcome home, Sarah.
And even if she hadn't, or wasn't (and I certainly don't mean to imply otherwise), I still agree: Welcome home, Sarah - and let's all hope for a cease-fire and a peaceful solution soon. No matter our politics, one innocent's death is far too many.

[tutusue]

[...]Now compare this to the Israelis? No right? No wrong?
Wrong thread, Kamuelakea.

[manoasurfer123]

Sarah -

Please ignore the way people have gone off on this thread in their own ways...

It was only started as a prayer thread. Others have taken it to the extreme.

Manoa

[admin]

Sarah Ahmadia is home, so this thread is closed. Posts debating the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict have been moved to The "Real" Middle Eastern War (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=9214).