Reporters pardoned.

http://news.yahoo.com/ap/20090804/ap_on_re_as_/as_nkorea_journalists_held

 

Try this one http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090804/ap_on_re_as/as_nkorea_journalists_held I'm glad they're free, but at what cost? What concessions did Clinton promise this rouge country? I thought the U.S. doesn't deal with 'terrorists?'

 

Sorry. Missed the /s/ after .com. My mistake.

 

I was wondering the same, Stubby.... At what cost? I am sure he paid or promised something.....:confused

 

Get ours out, then see how they like the taste of missiles.

 

At what cost you say? At the small cost of having a pic with Bubba blown around the world, apparently extending the US's humblest of apologies and grovelling for their release. It's a small price to pay to get the hostages back (yes, I said hostages), and give a way out for Mentally Il.

I really hope that this opens up some discussion again and gets these insane politicos to a table somewhere. It's not as if the US gov sent an official delegation thereby giving Il more cred, it's just good 'ole Bubba who must by now know more world leaders on a first name basis than anyone.

Well done!

 

Agreed. They are home safe, and if it was my sister or daughter, I'm not sure I'd care what the cost was.

This was a master stroke. Bill Clinton is not a member of the administration, which means he cannot make any official promises or apologies. Whatever he says, is separate from the President and his administration. Which does not in any way change the fact that no modern-day president of the US has been as popular outside of his country as Bill Clinton was. He's a smooth-talker who gets along with anyone, and there's enough glamor and awesomeness attached to his name still, to flatter Kim Jong Il.

Sending in Bill Clinton was genius. As evidenced by the fact that the two women are on their way home... I don't know about the rest of you, but I personally think that's what matters here.

Augie... :highfive

 

Well put, Mimsy, I guess I just didn't recognize the name "Bubba" LOL Yes, brilliant indeed....

 

Think of it this way... Kim Jong Il is a short bitter man who run as very small and poor country. He just wants someone to flatter him and acknowledge that he matters. From that point of view, Bill Clinton was the perfect choice.

 

Yup, that makes more sense, for sure... Them little ones sure do make a big stink, don't they?

 

Really good news the girls were set free. Way To Go Bill what ever it was he did/said for their release.
Perhaps Jong was sending Hillary a message. Plus I think he just lost the support of China, so he better be nice-er

 

You know, even though I can, and do, agree with most of what ya'll said and I am truly elated on their safe release. But I can't help but wonder what kind of message we're sending to other 'rouge' countries? Iran comes to mind which, BTW, is still holding 3 of our people. Or at least that was the last I heard. Is 'Wild Bill' going to mount his steed and gallop into Iran also? True, he MAY not have been 'officially' sanctioned to go to N.Korea, but I find it hard to believe that the government would let an American 'icon(?)' go off into a hostile country without some support. And, for some reason, I find it extremely hard to believe that our government didn't know what he was going to do. But I guess we'll never know, will we?

Granted, what I stated above is purely MY opinion and is freely open to flaming, ridicule by those who disagree. However, that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it:neener:-D

 

The trumped up charges of entering North Korea illegally and sentencing the two reporters to twelve years hard labour is the most basic way of getting yourself into world news. Li'l il's country is the most run down, backward, ill advised nation in Asia. They can't afford sanctions from the Western world.
These tinpot dictators need a lesson in humility and benevolence.

Glad it turned out okay in the end.

 

This was all orchestrated by the government behind the scenes since mid-July when the NK's said to the hostages they'd like to have Bill there, that was communicated to the US gov. via spouses/parents/Swedish diplomat and verified, it was a done deal by the time Clinton stepped on the plane to go there.

As to precedent, I agree with you as they are walking on a tightrope here. What would stop another country who wants some face time with GWB to kidnap some citizens or anyone else for example.

Nah, no flaming from me, find it elsewhere.:-D

 

People need to be aware when traveling into other countries they are at risk. Especially journalists, thats what they get paid for, going where there is a danger. I'm sure they knew they were aking chances.

Whatever the reason it was a heart warming reunion with their families. Glad they're back

 

I am so happy they did return home safely... What an outcome, for sure.... We have relatives, that were in Afghanistan, and one had told me, that we just don't realize what 'security is' until we have been in some foreign countries.... They had told me that we "take freedom for granted" sometimes..... Not always, but sometimes...

What we do every day here, in the U.S., one couldn't do in a foreign country... Especially the non-friendly ones... There is danger in every day life, for sure, but even more so when you are not in your homeland....