VALLETTA, MALTA—State Department officials charged with evacuating nearly 200 Americans from Tripoli last week shepherded the U.S. citizens aboard a ferry, assessed their need for any special medical attention, and then asked them what the hell they were doing in Libya in the first place. "We are pleased these Americans are now out of harm's way, but, really, why would anyone want to go to Libya?" a U.S. official told reporters, offering a list of more than 20 countries that are safer, more fun, and "just seem like more logical places to take a vacation" than the repressive North African country. "Frankly, we're not quite sure what there is to do in Libya. Walk around? Go sightseeing? If you’re gonna spend that much money on a plane ticket, why not just go to Rome? It's beautiful this time of year." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton later released a statement telling all Americans considering a vacation in the Congo that if getting beheaded is their idea of a fun time, then by all means.

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