Shouldn't taxes pay for this?

At the very least? But no, as tpmmuckraker reports, Trapped in Beirut? Uncle Sam Can Get You Out -- For a Price:

You want to get out of the war zone that Lebanon is fast becoming? Reach for your wallet.

In a message to American citizens trapped in Lebanon, the U.S. Embassy's website reads: "The Department of State reminds American citizens that the U.S. government does not provide no-cost transportation." For those unfortunate enough to be weathering the bombing and also have empty pockets, the government offers a "repatriation loan" - citizens will get a bill once they land safely in the States.

This is in stark contrast to Canada, which advises its citizens that "All costs related to the evacuation of Canadians citizens from Lebanon will be borne by the Government of Canada."

People trapped there, of course, have little other recourse for evacuation, since the airport and major roads have been bombed.

When I called the State Department about the policy, I was promised a call back and told "You're not the first one to ask." So we expect an answer soon.

And in a followup, State Dept.: No Free Evacuations for Dead Americans, Either. John Robb theories of nation-state decline sound more plausible every day.

And how could anyone possibly defeat the world's strongest military? One guy's take:

Winning a 4GW conflict
Victory in 4GW warfare is won in the moral sphere. The aim of 4GW is to destroy the moral bonds that allows the organic whole to exist -- cohesion. This is done by reinforcing the following (according to Boyd):

• Menace. Attacks that undermine or threaten basic human survival instincts.
• Mistrust. Increases divisions between groups (ie. conservatives and liberals in the US).
• Uncertainty. Undermine economic activity by decreasing confidence in the future.