US Journalists Released In North Korea

[SSHoya]

Clinton would have never have gone if it hadn't been worked out for the release in advance. Nothing nefarious our atypical about that. That is how almost all state-to-state diplomacy is conducted -- the principals don't go unless they know the result. We get journalists back, NK gets propaganda.

[jerseyhoya34]

From the NYT on the journalists' release and "separate" nuclear discussions -

“We have been working hard on the release of the two journalists, and we have always considered that a separate issue,” [Hillary Clinton] said. The future of the United States’ relationship with Pyongyang, she continued, was “really up to them.”

[kchoya]

Aug 5, 2009 10:55:59 GMT -5 @jerseyhoya34 said:

From the NYT -

“We have been working hard on the release of the two journalists, and we have always considered that a separate issue,” [Hillary Clinton] said. The future of the United States’ relationship with Pyongyang, she continued, was “really up to them.”

Oh, well, that answers that question.

[Boz]

Didn't North Korea, within the last week, call Hillary Clinton a funny lady, not intelligent, a schoolgirl, and - basically - a Florida retiree shopaholic?

I'm pretty sure whe was never on the table for this particular negotiation. I'm also pretty sure, despite all of the discussion of "no preconditions" that went on in the campaign, that the President was also never on the table for this negotiation. Former presidents are basically goodwill ambassadors, and as such, Bill seems an appropriate choice, requested or not.

As I said, if all we gave up was some propaganda for "Dear Leader," then big whup. If we made some strategic concession, well, we'll have to judge that if or when we find out about it.

[Elvado]

Anybody else wonder whether Bill tried to get any from the released prisoners? Be honest.

[Boz]

Aug 5, 2009 12:30:15 GMT -5 Elvado said:

Anybody else wonder whether Bill tried to get any from the released prisoners? Be honest.

It's a long, long plane ride fron Pyongyang. ;D

[Buckets]

Is it not entirely reasonable that Kim Jong Il just wanted a photo op?

Meanwhile, North Korea's biggest newspaper, Rodong Shinmun, covered its front page Wednesday with five large pictures of Mr. Kim and Mr. Clinton. A small article accompanying the pictures said the pair discussed issues of common concern between the two countries. A small article on the third page described Mr. Kim's decision to free the two reporters.

North Korean officials "convey the impression of one of the [world's] most senior statesmen paying tribute to Kim Jong Il without mentioning he came for the sake of the two reporters," said a person familiar with the patterns of the nation's media.

WSJ: Clinton Visit is Boon for Kim Jong Il

[Bando]

Aug 5, 2009 12:30:15 GMT -5 Elvado said:

Anybody else wonder whether Bill tried to get any from the released prisoners? Be honest.

You're such a godforsaken prick, it's almost unbelievable.

[Elvado]

Lighten up Francis. It was a joke. Sorry to have offended your delicate sensibilities.

And I'll put you down for a yes.

[Bando]

Aug 5, 2009 13:00:49 GMT -5 Elvado said:

Lighten up Francis. It was a joke. Sorry to have offended your delicate sensibilities.

And I'll put you down for a yes.

Just because Bill gets laid more than once a decade is no reason to lash into him with your jealous anger.

[Elvado]

There is neither lashing nor anger. I simply questioned whether a known lothario with a penchant for younger women who are beholden to him, might have made a move here. Looking at his wife, who could blame him?

Your violent reaction indicates you may think I'm right. Don't get me wrong, I did not condemn him: I merely asked if everyone thought he tried.

[TC]

Aug 5, 2009 11:55:33 GMT -5 Boz said:

I'm pretty sure whe was never on the table for this particular negotiation. I'm also pretty sure, despite all of the discussion of "no preconditions" that went on in the campaign, that the President was also never on the table for this negotiation.

NY Times says almost exactly the same thing.

"The episode evidently did not stop consideration of sending her husband as an envoy. But the initiative was cloaked in secrecy and came after weeks of back-channel talks between the United States and North Korea through its United Nations mission. In addition to Mr. Gore, the White House’s list of potential candidates included Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico."

www.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/world/asia/06korea.html?pagewanted=2&hp
(article has a couple quotes from Dean Gallucci in there)

[Bando]

Aug 5, 2009 13:10:16 GMT -5 Elvado said:

There is neither lashing nor anger. I simply questioned whether a known lothario with a penchant for younger women who are beholden to him, might have made a move here. Looking at his wife, who could blame him?

Your violent reaction indicates you may think I'm right. Don't get me wrong, I did not condemn him: I merely asked if everyone thought he tried.

I simply questioned whether a known lothario with a penchant for younger women who are beholden to him, might have made a move here.

I think you're confusing Bill Clinton with Quagmire.

Also, given the myriad sex scandals your party has given us in the past few years (including underage boys, prostitutes, and a sex shack masked as a Christian home), you've got some balls, fella.

Looking at his wife, who could blame him

What rapier wit! Hillary is ugly. That's sooooo funny!

Your violent reaction indicates you may think I'm right.

Leaving aside the fact that you think "posting on a message board" is violent, I'm pretty sure any reaction of mine would lead you to believe I agreed with you. Because you're an idiot.

What a sad pathetic beast you are.

[Elvado]

Hop back into your Bill Clinton Underoos and finish your nap. You obviously woke up cranky today little boy.

[guru]

Aug 5, 2009 13:29:35 GMT -5 Bando said:

Aug 5, 2009 13:10:16 GMT -5 Elvado said:

There is neither lashing nor anger. I simply questioned whether a known lothario with a penchant for younger women who are beholden to him, might have made a move here. Looking at his wife, who could blame him?

Your violent reaction indicates you may think I'm right. Don't get me wrong, I did not condemn him: I merely asked if everyone thought he tried.

I think you're confusing Bill Clinton with Quagmire.

Also, given the myriad sex scandals your party has given us in the past few years (including underage boys, prostitutes, and a sex shack masked as a Christian home), you've got some balls, fella.



What rapier wit! Hillary is ugly. That's sooooo funny!

Your violent reaction indicates you may think I'm right.

Leaving aside the fact that you think "posting on a message board" is violent, I'm pretty sure any reaction of mine would lead you to believe I agreed with you. Because you're an idiot.

What a sad pathetic beast you are.

Wow

[TC]

I kinda liked Mark Lisanti's ('96 - he runs defamer.com) tweet on this subject :

"The rescue of those two journalists was obviously engineered by the wily Kim Jong Il to shame Bill Clinton with inevitable threesome jokes."

Elvado kinda proves his point.

[Elvado]

I'd agree if I thought our 42nd President was capable of shame.

[DanMcQ]

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_us_nkorea_analysis

[Cambridge]

Aug 5, 2009 12:30:15 GMT -5 Elvado said:

Anybody else wonder whether Bill tried to get any from the released prisoners? Be honest.

While I'm sure he's already a member of the mile high club, there does have to be some cache to getting some restricted air space pilot wings.

I can't believe somebody is trying to defend Bill's honor. I mean, really? Say what you will to defend the man's policies or political finesse, that I can understand, but why would you man the barricade of his honor? The horse is out of the barn...

[Boz]

OK, this has been on my mind ofr a few days, but I thought it might be too snarky to ask.

But seeing as how Willie Geist made fun of the same thing this morning, hopefully this question will not lead to partisan rancor.

So, can I ask.......

....what the hell was Al Gore doing there? Other than maybe to remind people "Hey, I'm Al Gore."

________________________________

And seriously, to the Democrats/liberals on the board, be honest.

When you heard Bill Clinton say that the two ladies "were very nice on the plane ride home," can you honestly say you weren't thinking the same thing easyed was thinking?

;D