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Journalists Freed from North Korea: Lessons Learned and Unfinished Business
AmericanInTokyo ^ | 5 August 2009 | AmericanInTokyo

Posted on 08/04/2009 6:04:32 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo

Now that all the hoopla and nonstop CNN 24/7 type celebrations and TV interviews and book deals will ramp up over the release of two liberal Democrat California-based freelance/Al Gore journalists from communist North Korea, based on a Bill Clinton secret deal and eventual flying to North Korea to apologize and legitimize the dictatorial regime--developing nuclear strike capabilities and exporting said terror--I say "hold your horses", as we have important unfinished business. I would expect the MSM to gloss over these so I raise them here.


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: algore; clinton; currenttv; dprk; eunalee; goretv; journalists; kimjongil; lauraling; lessons; nkorea; northkorea; pyongyang; x42
1. Apologies

While we are on the topic of apologies, which the Obama Administration delivered through Secretary of State Clinton and then her husband yesterday visiting the belly of the beast, the United States of America is owed a clear, succinct, written or verbal formal apology by those two journalists.

Their actions and foolishness in getting too close to the North Korean border if not crossing it all together has had the defacto effect of hijacking the foreign policy of this country in a critical area of the world. To just gingerly arrive in Los Angeles with nary a word of how remorseful they are at the extreme inconvenience they have cause the United States, must not be allowed.

B. Reparations

Al Gore or whomever associated with these journalists should pay ALL COSTS connected with their rescue, with nothing being billed to the US taxpayers. This should be monitored closely by an independent auditing agency on behalf of the US government.

3. Travel Ban

The released women, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, should have their US passports confiscated. They do not own those passports. They are the property of the United States Government lent out of convenience and not as a right. They should be prohibited from any international travel for five years--or until they grow up, whichever comes first.

4. Congressional Hearings

Congressional hearings should be opened to discuss specifically just what Mr. Clinton discussed with Kim Jong il (if any sensitive policy issues were broached) and to what extent the White House sanctioned this.

5. Transparency

A full report should be made of their capture, witnesses such as camerman subpoened if necessary, to get to the bottom of what happened.

Hold the confetti and Larry King, we need facts and action and lessons learned. This is a serious undermining of American Foreign Policy and National Security, as well as an insult and inconvience to our close allies in Seoul and Tokyo by two naive and careless young Americans. People should not get off lightly for such a self-centered imposition.

1 posted on 08/04/2009 6:04:32 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Ping!


2 posted on 08/04/2009 6:05:41 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

Did they have beer? Where was the school girl Hillary?


3 posted on 08/04/2009 6:06:16 PM PDT by Boardwalk
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To: Boardwalk
Oh I am sure they washed donw the Taedonggang Beer and put that on the US taxpayer's tab (Bill!) for for sure.

Not to mention the Mighty Bent One's kipmujo carousing last night in P'yang, no doubt. $1000-2000 at least right there.

4 posted on 08/04/2009 6:09:33 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

I was hoping we could trade Al Gore for the girls.


5 posted on 08/04/2009 6:11:01 PM PDT by Nachoman (Think of life as an adventure you don't survive.)
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To: AmericanInTokyo
Hence I recommended the "passport" clause:

family friend Wally Yang said the Ling family had "done everything they could, while respecting the North Korean government, to try and get Laura home." He predicted that Ling would remain a journalist. "Despite this terrifying experience, I can't imagine that Laura would give up her passion to tell stories that otherwise wouldn't be heard."

6 posted on 08/04/2009 6:11:25 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

The whole episode makes me gnash my teeth. The “girls” are Algore-brand fools, not journalists. Our government allowed these young women to manipulate our foreign policy relative to a loose cannon with nuclear weapons. We played right into the hands of the NoKos. Bill Clinton, of all people, is picked to rescue two young women. The NoKos get what they want, did you see the grinning photo of their Dear Leader, and the Obamoids look like idiots — but they’re representing our country. The girls return to widespread media acclaim. There are banana republics that could have handled this better. I think I am going to be sick.


7 posted on 08/04/2009 6:14:11 PM PDT by La Lydia
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To: Nachoman
Oh, dont worry, more Americans will be snatched by North Koreans now (as it is open season) so I am sure Al Gore will get another chance to go up there for prisoner exchange soon. If not, maybe we will see him in Teheran soon.

Grab an American while you can! Easy pickings! Good money!

8 posted on 08/04/2009 6:14:14 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

COunt on it if you got freed from NK prison I think to safe to say everybody been party on that beer charge to Taxpaper


9 posted on 08/04/2009 6:14:50 PM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us, resistence is futile")
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To: AmericanInTokyo
I am afraid none in your list would take place. The following is the likely developments:

1) MSM and Dems will claim that those women are traumatized victims, who need our unlimited emotional support.

2) Live broadcast of tearful reunions to drive the above point home.

3) They would say there is ‘urgent need’ to prevent this kind of even from happening, and we should address the ‘root cause,’ which is that US and NK are still in confrontation. U.S. would be urged to start engagement in exchange fore nominal token gesture by NK on nuclear issue.

10 posted on 08/04/2009 6:15:21 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster (LUV DIC -- L,U,V-shaped recession, Depression, Inflation, Collapse)
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To: La Lydia
Bingo! That is exactly the gist of the outrage.

And yet watch the US MSM gloat about how "wonderful" this is (of course it is for them and their families--NKorea is hell on earth) but they will gloss over the immense costs to American national security and our US troops in the field in South Korea and Japan for instance. I rate those men and women as much more important in my book than a couple of Al Gore journalists.

11 posted on 08/04/2009 6:15:59 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

Concur!

I am, however, very glad they are out of that hellhole.


12 posted on 08/04/2009 6:16:09 PM PDT by Ronin (It will be helpful if Geithner can show us some arithmetic.)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

That’s about the size of it.


13 posted on 08/04/2009 6:17:26 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: TigerLikesRooster
Correction: to prevent this kind of event from happening
14 posted on 08/04/2009 6:18:40 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster (LUV DIC -- L,U,V-shaped recession, Depression, Inflation, Collapse)
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To: Ronin
I suspect at the end of the day, their minds were just played with at bit and they were scared, but overall they were OK in the cushy government guest house with ammenities, while the Norkies figured out how to flip the stupid American bargaining chip-girls (again the photo of the US delegation and Kim Jong il, those classic facial expressions, tell the whole story and who won).

For sure, if they had been remanded into a camp 10 days after sentencing, as per NK law, they would never have been heard from again because they would have seen too much for the Norkies to again allow them out of a concentration camp to relay details to the outside world. Those two idiots had better kiss US soil at Los Angeles and badmouth the living daylights out of North Korea for at least 10 years nonstop, if you ask me.

It is absolutely humiliating for a major power, and is also read as a big embarrassment for the United States within an Asian Power context.

15 posted on 08/04/2009 6:22:38 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: TigerLikesRooster
#3 for sure is EXACTLY what is coming out from these LA-San Fran libs. The one's sister, Lisa Ling, already said just as much. The WHOLE PROBLEM is bound up in that the US and DPRK dont have diplomatic relations and are not getting along.

Does anyone else out there smell a rat?

16 posted on 08/04/2009 6:24:07 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo
That's a big stinky rat.
17 posted on 08/04/2009 6:29:29 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster (LUV DIC -- L,U,V-shaped recession, Depression, Inflation, Collapse)
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To: Boardwalk
Where was the school girl Hillary?

Making out like a pensioner shopping for bargains on pantsuits.

18 posted on 08/04/2009 6:30:53 PM PDT by fso301
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To: AmericanInTokyo
Again, I concur.

However, given how badly the Obama regime (I won't call it an administration anymore.) has already trashed America's reputation around the world, and especially in Asia, I am more or less numb to the consequences of Beezlebubba’s brown-nosing of the Norkies. (Interesting pejorative for the NKs, btw. First time I saw it.)

I guess I am just so hard up for anything that resembles good news, that I will take the fact that these women are free and be thankful for that.

Although I also believe they need a good swift kick in the ass for ever getting themselves in the position to begin with.

19 posted on 08/04/2009 6:33:05 PM PDT by Ronin (It will be helpful if Geithner can show us some arithmetic.)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

I disagree.

By in large, Americans are stupid[See who we elect: R’s & D’s] and they will do stupid things like these journalist.

However, America loves it’s citizens. Our country sends a former Pres to return it’s citizens safe.

No other country will do that. We rescue mountain climbers who do stupid things, even putting ourselves in danger.

That is who we are. If you wanna be upset at Clinton and the journalist, so be it.


20 posted on 08/04/2009 6:42:40 PM PDT by BGHater (Insanity is voting for Republicans and expecting Conservatism.)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

Do you think Chia Pet would ask one of the girl no not that is married but single one

Hey do you want marry my youngest son

That horrible thought I know


21 posted on 08/04/2009 6:58:50 PM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us, resistence is futile")
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To: AmericanInTokyo

eXCELLANT AND BRILLIANT CLEAR ANALYSIS!!!


22 posted on 08/04/2009 7:00:31 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie (Pray for Israel! And Georgia ! And the Iranian people! and Honduras!)
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To: La Lydia

i want to throw up too.

Our foreign policy now has become American Idol!


23 posted on 08/04/2009 7:01:57 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie (Pray for Israel! And Georgia ! And the Iranian people! and Honduras!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo; Jeff Head
Hrmmmm... Why would Billy Jeff travel to North Korea on "behalf" of America ?

At REUTERS NEWS it says that, QUOTE The two reporters, Euna Lee, 36, and Laura Ling, 32, who work for Current TV, an American TV outlet co-founded by Clinton's vice president, Al Gore UNQUOTE were released with Bill Clinton.

Gee, what a remarkable coincidence. Billy Jeff and Algore, in the same sentence.

Were these "journalists" obligated to perform a Lewinsky on Caligula as quid pro quo? Someone had to ask.


24 posted on 08/04/2009 7:11:05 PM PDT by pyx (Rule#1.The LEFT lies.Rule#2.See Rule#1. IF THE LEFT CONTROLS THE LANGUAGE, IT CONTROLS THE ARGUMENT.)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

Yes. Much face lost.


25 posted on 08/04/2009 7:18:38 PM PDT by La Lydia
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To: BGHater
Your analysis here may well be incorrect.

Kindly please read again carefully what you wrote:

"However, America loves it’s citizens. Our country sends a former Pres to return it’s citizens safe. No other country will do that. We rescue mountain climbers who do stupid things, even putting ourselves in danger. That is who we are. If you wanna be upset at Clinton and the journalist, so be it."

This tends to ignore the realities of the Israeli attitude toward it's imperiled citizens overseas, or that a SITTING Japanese Prime Minister--Koizumi--himself went to North Korea (not a former office holder like Clinton) to rescue captured Japanese citizens--, or even Soviets (Russians) who went into Chernobyl to put out that reactor by helicopter knowing they would get leukemia and die painful deaths later just to save their fellow man, i.e. that other countries love and sacrifice for their nationals, too. There are many case of Korean, Chinese, British, German and other daring, dangerous efforts to assist their nationals overseas by their countries. You can not assert that only the United States does this--this is not an exclusive American Trait, as much as that might grate on ears, we have to be honest here in this forum. The argument does not carry water.

At any rate, I won't celebrate the return of liberal American journalists who acted foolishly at a cost to the United States Government, if it comes at a heavy price for the North Korean People themselves with legitimatization and further continuance of an unspeakable dictatorship, and other foreigners still held there, as well as our national security. So we will have to differ on this point. There are no celebrations. Only a lot of questions unanswered, and many responsibilities that have to be shouldered.

26 posted on 08/04/2009 8:58:29 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: SevenofNine
Enjoy the FLIGHT, girls!!

Sheesh. If five months in NK was not enough, they are going to need special PTSD counseling for sure to cover the next 11 hours as well.

27 posted on 08/04/2009 9:05:42 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

‘liberal American journalists’

Labels. Labels. That’s on you. I see ‘Americans’. Even if I disagree with their views.

As for the N. Koreans, it is up to them to overthrow their masters. If they ‘choose’ not to, then thats on them. ‘Asian’ societies[Singapore, China, etc] as a whole pick the society over the individual, and will do so.

I will always stand by the idea that America does more for it’s ‘kind’ than others, even if I’m probably incorrect.


28 posted on 08/04/2009 9:15:32 PM PDT by BGHater (Insanity is voting for Republicans and expecting Conservatism.)
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To: BGHater

Fine. Honest difference of opinion and perspective. I can respect that.


29 posted on 08/04/2009 10:47:47 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

‘Ladies, care for a cigar?’

-Ducking-


30 posted on 08/04/2009 10:51:03 PM PDT by BGHater (Insanity is voting for Republicans and expecting Conservatism.)
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To: BGHater
"They're sitting over there, by the sink".

-Ducking- myself!

31 posted on 08/05/2009 12:02:07 AM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo
Here, some guy wrote a few hours after I posted this thread, and it looks like my points may have provided some inpsiration.

Whatever. Cool with me:

Joshua, from "One Free Korea": (Text Below)

"Almighty God, Please Spare Us the Retch-Inducing Stockholm Syndrome Speeches Posted by Joshua Stanton on August 4, 2009 at 9:44 pm · Filed under Laura Ling/Euna Lee Now that Laura Ling and Euna Lee are on their way home, I have a short list of things I do and do not want to hear from them, starting with any retch-inducing drivel about how well they were treated while they shouldn’t have been in captivity at all. Let’s make that the first thing on our list:

1. Please spare us the Stockholm Syndrome at LAX. Try to remember that you weren’t in North Korea to rob convenience stores, hide a dead hooker, or hand out boxer briefs infected with herpes. If things were so wonderful at that cushy non-gulag guesthouse where you were held — unlike conditions for those North Koreans who offend His Withering Majesty — then go back. This is not a misunderstood state that eventually made contact with its inner goodness by freeing you. It’s a place that starves, terrorizes, tortures, and murders millions of non-famous North Koreans, including potentially everyone whose face appears in the video the North Koreans say they seized from you.

2. The only things we want to hear at LAX are how you really got across the border and a few polite words of thanks for those who helped to free you. Were you abducted, did you get lost, were you lured, or are you just imbeciles who were trying to cover a story you knew absolutely nothing about? Then go home to your families and say nothing else for at least a week.

3. When you emerge, remember why you were there. You were there to tell the story of desperate people like this woman and tens of thousands more like her who will remain forgotten, unmourned, and unmentioned in all of the glowing, shallow, stupid press coverage that will soon follow. They won’t be objects of hope for the great, false diplomatic breakthrough that your release from unjust imprisonment represents to unintelligent people of every race, color, creed, and political persuasion. You can make those people minimally less unintelligent by taking a moment out of the first act of your book tour to remember the refugees and those who are dying in the real gulags.

4. As a corollary to number 3, it’s not all about you. Before you tell your own story, tell the story you went there to tell.

5. As a corollary to number 4, if you actually got people killed by carrying video of them into North Korea, repent what you have done. The ignorance and stupidity that killed them should weigh on you. Telling their stories is a small token of the burden of repentance that you owe them. I would much prefer, of course, that you truthfully clarify that you did no such thing.

6. No Larry King. Not tomorrow, not next week, not ever. Larry King is a tool and a blight upon our society, and your support for him poisons a world in which my children will have to live.

7. Please do not pretend that your experience has made you an authority on North Korea. This doesn’t mean you can’t become one, it just means you aren’t one because of this.

8. Please do not tell us what your release proves about diplomacy or policy, and do not humor anyone who is stupid enough to ask. You’re not policy analysts or diplomatic correspondents. You’re pawns.

9. Please don’t try to redeem the cowardice of Current TV. That is a lost cause.

10. If you did cross the border voluntarily, mortgage your homes now and start writing checks to repay the taxpayers for whatever your ransom cost us."

32 posted on 08/05/2009 12:46:13 AM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (God Bless Our US Troops (Especially the Snipers). Active Duty, Reserve and Retired. Three Cheers!)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

OH Please they charge all food and booze to American taxpapers count on it


33 posted on 08/05/2009 10:35:56 AM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us, resistence is futile")
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To: AmericanInTokyo

AHH AIT I think Larry would have them for five minutes he too busy whoring on Jacko case count on it

He just tell the agents OKAY GIRLS five minutes that is I got Gloria Allred on the phone try get latest what happen with Michael Jackson kids


34 posted on 08/05/2009 10:37:24 AM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us, resistence is futile")
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To: AmericanInTokyo

AIT that funny you killing me about number 1 theory LOL!


35 posted on 08/05/2009 10:41:02 AM PDT by SevenofNine ("We are Freepers, all your media belong to us, resistence is futile")
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