Bill Clinton Is a Total Mensch
Aug 4th, 2009 | 12 responses
So all it took to get two American journalists “convicted” of espionage home was Bill Clinton’s star power? Kim Jung Il just wanted to feel that we felt that North Korea is important enough to send a world-famous, charismatic former President of the United States there to pick up Laura Ling and Euna Lee from the ball and bring them home in his coach?
Bill Clinton most definitely is a hero for agreeing to play this part — even though it’s not exactly a difficult part for him — but still, it’s pretty pathetic, not to say bizarre, that North Korea’s leaders are in such dire need of psychological validation that just stepping on North Korean soil was enough to secure these two women’s release. I mean, I guess it didn’t occur to them that they could get the international attention simply by ceasing to be the scariest place on the planet. If this entire situation were not so deadly serious, it would almost be funny. “You belong to me,” I can hear Carly Simon singing. “Can it be, honey, you’re not sure?”
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12 Responses to “Bill Clinton Is a Total Mensch”
“I guess it didn’t occur to them that they could get the international attention simply by ceasing to be the scariest place on the planet”
They probably know that, but they have their own preferences and objectives, as do, say, the Iranians.
The reports are that negotiations had been ongoing since the two were captured and the agreement to release them was made well before Clinton was involved. His appearance was a “sweetener” to seal the deal. Kudos for him going and it's great that the reporters are released but please lets be accurate,
President Clinton was always great at Diplomacy.I have great faith that if anyone can help this situation with North Korea, it would be President Clinton.
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His star power was put to good use, and using one's diplomatic skills to get American reporters released from a life sentence of hard labor certainly beats playing golf , “refilling the coffers” or playing with Barney!:-)
But Bill Clinton has always been one of my heroes- despite his womanizing and his narcissism. He looked at what he didn't accomplish in his presidency and has tried to remedy that in his ex-presidency. I would like to see him used in other situations which demand high-level diplomatic skill.
“comes dangerously close to negotiating with terrorists”.
I would agree that is absurd. First it wasn't Clinton negotiating. As someone said he lent his “Star Power” to it and capped it off but there was a done deal before Clinton arrived. Sure there is an issue with looking weak and almost inviting people to take advantage but you can't let the concern for that trap you into doing nothing. There has to be a middle ground and here it looks like the NK's got some attention and press, and a little respect, and that's all. No big payout which would/could be considered detrimental to US interests
“I guess it didn’t occur to them that they could get the international attention simply by ceasing to be the scariest place on the planet”
I guess it's a matter of perspective. I'm sure that many in the Kim Jung Il regime would find any place OTHER than North Korea the scariest place on the planet.
“comes dangerously close to negotiating with terrorists”.
So the alternative, not negotiating with terrorists (or “almost” terrorists, in this case) and having US citizens in hard labor is better?
Bolton just couldn't bring himself to complement Clinton on this achievement— so it was put through his petty partisan filter. He's a conservative Republican before he's an American- because every real American's chest should swell with pride that the prez was able to pry 2 of our citizens out of Kim il Jung's grasp. This was a diplomatic coup and Bolton knows it. It shows the world that we are willing to send our most famous citizen to rescue obscure nobodies— and adds to our international reputation for compassion.
Clinton wasn't negotiating with an “almost” terrorist- but with a moronic maniac!
Only gain in this I can see for North Korea is humbling Obama a bit by turning over the journalist to Clinton instead of administration figures; and that is very little.
Wow, the obvious does tend to escape us at times. N. Korea was b-slapping the GOP with that move. Who is probably the most despised man by the GOP [next to Obama..lol..] Rhetorical question answered: Bill Clinton. N. Korea sent a loud message, “we don't do business with terrorists”. The selection of Bill Clinton by N. Korea was intentional.
What we should take home as a lesson from all this is that the world's most insane faction at present, N. Korea, is merely a reflection of the overall general opinion of other countries less likely to have the balls to confront us like N. Korea does. They are like the teenage rebel in a large family of folks that have the same opinion. That opinion is: the enemy is not America, it is the GOP. As long as we elect the GOP into positions of power, we should expect costly wars, loss of life and general strife among the world community with its various predictable and unpredictable members. To put it in terms Wallstreet can understand: GOP leadership means hard time$ on the world scene. The days of allowing unfettered plundering of other country's resources at their expense by american fatcats are rapidly coming to an end. Diplomacy and courtesy are the new trends that will win friends and profitable economic ties. Invading countries like drunken cowboys rustling cattle will be tales we will tell our grandchildren who will sit in awe that we lived through such times.
“So the alternative, not negotiating with terrorists (or “almost” terrorists, in this case) and having US citizens in hard labor is better?”
Actually, nobody should overreact to Bolton (much less insist on the opposite of what he is saying that is correct), but ponder to what extent it is a legitimate objection (Bolton was the object of constant idiotic, unwarranted, wrongful attacks by aging “peace” fools, earlier, don't forget) and to what extent it is, say, like what Charles Krauthammer might still say in a neo-con sense. Also bear in mind that when the two journalists were first arrested, there was nauseating hype, and there was overreaction at their release that involved additional hype.
I still wonder what other, far more serious and deserving, issues are being discussed secretly.
DLS- This is a feel good moment for America– and with so much bad news- why quash a victory that all Americans can relate to and feel good about? How can those who claim to value human life poo poo such a great humanitarian victory?
Bolton was not successful at the UN because he does not really believe in the power of diplomacy to solve problems. He is Cheney with a broomstick mustache! It comes down to whether you believe that the US should bully other countries into submission, or try the diplomatic route. We can see today which one gets results that voters care deeply about– Remember that Reagan rode into office on Jimmy Carter's failed diplomatic initiative to free the hostages in Iran.
Its not the most important issue, but it certainly beats listening to nonstop coverage of the Michael Jackson funeral and custody battles. The journalists were just released today- so I'm not getting the point of overhyping the story in the media.