What about the released journalists?

pixiesis

pixiesis

Cathlete
Hi all,

I've been waiting for someone to start a thread on this momentous occasion, but no one did so here I am! :D

For me, seeing Laura Ling and Euna Lee get off the plane was a moment I will always remember. I can just imagine how they felt when they saw Clinton in that room and knew they were going home. In my opinion he was a true hero that day. The women embracing their families, that sweet little girl clinging to her mom...it was so sweet, so real. I know that there have been critics of the whole thing, but I think this really is an event that should bring us all together and make us all grateful for our freedom, and for our kick-ass former president.
 
It was a wonderful event; very moving. It gave me chills & brought tears to my eyes to see that reunion. We do live in such a great country & it's times like this that do make you appreciate all that we have to be grateful here in the good ol' USA.
 
On the local news last night they said that Clinton was not responsible for negotiating the release of those two girls. :confused: I don't know if this is so or not. Does anyone know the details?

Then on the radio on the way to work yesterday morning they were talking of it and they had a caller making some comments like: taxpayers footing the bill, some offensive sexual comments about Bill, and how the two reporters were where they shouldn't have been etc...etc. The radio guy said it's not clear as to whether the two were actually in N.K.(as N.K. says) or if they were just near the border and N.K. seized the opportunity to abduct them for thier agenda (whatever that is) and that's all I caught of it as I pulled it to work.

Anyway I'm glad they out of there.
 
Clinton did not negotiate the deal. The actual deal was negotiated by others behind the scenes but he offered to be the one that picked them up. N.K. would not allow Gore to go. The 2 were near the border which is not clearly marked like in other places; so they inadvertently crossed the border & yes NK seized the opp to abduct them. I don't believe that taxpayer $ were used. (I could be wrong) Clinton flew over in a private jet to pick them up. Even if some govt funds were used, isn't that what this country is about; defending our freedoms & those of our citizens. Those women were paying a heavy price for what I believe was an innocent mistake. They needed to be brought home. I was glad to see that happen.
 
Alana, if you google one of the women's names you should find some good info, and the link below might have enough info to fill you in. Essentially, the two American journalists claim they accidentally crossed over into N. Korea for about 30 seconds when they were arrested and jailed. They were accused of spying to conduct a smear campaign against N. Korea and were sentenced to 12 years in a hard labor camp.

Tami, I don't think Bill Clinton alone was responsible, but certainly he was very much involved. According to this NYT article linked below, it was both Clintons along with the Obama admin. that negotiated the release. As for taxpayers footing the bill, I don't think that's the case (not that I'd oppose it in this particular case if it were). Clinton flew over and back with the women on a private plane that belongs to a film producer and friend of the Clintons. As for the sexual jokes about him, that's old hat isn't it? He did a good thing here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/05/world/asia/05korea.html
 
pixiesis said:
Tami, I don't think Bill Clinton alone was responsible, but certainly he was very much involved. According to this NYT article linked below, it was both Clintons along with the Obama admin. that negotiated the release. As for taxpayers footing the bill, I don't think that's the case (not that I'd oppose it in this particular case if it were). Clinton flew over and back with the women on a private plane that belongs to a film producer and friend of the Clintons. As for the sexual jokes about him, that's old hat isn't it? He did a good thing here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/05/world/asia/05korea.html
Click to expand...

Kudos to Bill and to the Obama admin. Personally I've always liked Bill and am tired of the jokes about him. I know many that will disagree with me but I think he was a very good president. I certainly had more confidence in him than any other president that I've personally experienced. I agree he did a good thing and wish people would give credit where credit is due.

Another offensive comment I heard was he just did it so he could raise his speaking fees. :rolleyes: People are so rude, offensive, cruel........:mad:
 
thank you pixiesis, that cleared up a lot! I hear they were they for roughly 5 months! Under those cercumstances, that had to have been hell! poor things, well I'm glad they're back.
 
I know the flight was paid for by Stephen Bing, a wealthy hollywood producer, owner of a construction company and heir to a real estate fortune. He is a close friend of the Clinton's , raised money for them and donated to Bill Clinton's presidential library.

Hillary Clinton said they didn't give up anything to North Korea. for the women and until proven otherwise, I believe her. Al Gore wanted to go, but Kim Jong IL said no. I am so happy those two women are out. I'm sure there will be a movie and a book.
 
Tamrahan said:
Kudos to Bill and to the Obama admin. Personally I've always liked Bill and am tired of the jokes about him. I know many that will disagree with me but I think he was a very good president. I certainly had more confidence in him than any other president that I've personally experienced. I agree he did a good thing and wish people would give credit where credit is due.

Another offensive comment I heard was he just did it so he could raise his speaking fees. :rolleyes: People are so rude, offensive, cruel........:mad:
Click to expand...

I think Clinton was a good president, and I am not afraid to say it. According to what I read (and saw on the news) NK wanted a "big name" to come and "negotiate". The journalists' parents went to him and asked him to do it. He agreed, and stated that he was honored to go as an American and as a father.

More money for speaking events? Right. This is one of the only millionaires I know of who continued to pay the full income tax for his millions that he earned AFTER George w. Bush cut taxes for the rich. That to me, says it all.

People will always have bad things to say about him, and that's fine. We live in a country where you can express your opinions. here's mine. Bill Clinton was an ariticulate, charming, persuasive, intelligent president, who served his country well while in office. What he did for those journalists was wonderful and we should all celebrate that.

Sorry, I know these topics can get heated and I try to avoid them for that reason. Obviously, I am a democrat, in case you couldn't tell and that is my two cents. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Kristin
 
Very moving & emotional--def something I'll remember for a long time. Gosh, the shots when they arrived & saw their families for the first time in 4 months were just heart wrenching.

As I hear it, that little woman Kim Jung Il specifically requested Bill Clinton. His political future will certainly be very interesting (Clinton's that is, I think KJI is dying from cancer, at least rumor has it). To quote Jon Stewart: "the big dog is back!" :)
 
It was awesome. Clinton was great. I think he was the best president this nation has ever had, and I applaud the work he has been doing since.
 
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