Not feeling what everyone else seems to be...

[susandennis]

I'm just not as thrilled as everyone else seems to be about these two apparently totally unapologetic women getting 'rescued' from Korea. I'm fine with their being home, I'm not so fine with how they got themselves caught and the price we had to pay for their release.

I totally get that journalists need to take risks and we are all better informed because of that yadda yadda yadda but really.

The claim that these two and the three currently captured in Iran (who keep being referred to as 'hikers' but who are actually journalists) can't figure out where the fucking boarders are, then I want better journalists. Keep those who can't read maps at home.

If you can't handle the punishment then don't break the rules OR steer clear of the places where you are too stupid to understand what the rules are.

We've got enough world issues to deal with without having to go pick up stray kittens around the world and call in favors we may need for real issues in order to bring these innocents home.

Comments

[joyoflj.livejournal.com]

I agree! But, it thrilled me to see Bill Clinton standing there. He still has the it factor for me.

Feel the same way towards hikers who get stranded on mountains who do not bring proper clothing and supplies. Boaters who decide to travel round the world in little dingies and who bring a can of tuna for provisions fall into that category, too.

I wish Bill Clinton had not done that dumb thing with Monica. What a shame to waste his capabilities due to his foolishness.

[susandennis]

I did read on Twitter yesterday - that old Bill still has it. What American could pop over to North Korea and pick up two chicks?

Cracked me up.

(Oh and YES on the ill equipped hikers and boaters - love to see my tax dollars rescuing the stupid.)

[susandennis]

I love it!

[fj.livejournal.com]

NK actually decided who they wanted over from those on offer. They rejected Gore and Kerry. The wanted Bill. Bill's ego alone could crush NK, so it was a great choice.

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

We have only North Korea's word for it that they were over the border. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/08/north-korea-us-journalists says that other witnesses believe the journalists were actually arrested in China. If that's the case, then they were essentially abducted by the North Korean government.

[susandennis]

I've read that and other theories and if the truth is that they were NOT in Korea, then my stance may well change.

[mixter11nm.livejournal.com]

Sing it Sistah!

[susandennis]

yes yes yes

[seattlejo.livejournal.com]

Clearly i live with my head in the sand. I didn't even know about this.

[canyoncat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, in this whole age of GPS technology I cannot understand how someone who knows they are very close to a sensitive border can't know which side they are on... especially knowing the consequences of being on the wrong side. It's just dumb.

[howeird]

Yes and no. Taking last things first: To anyone who buys the story that any Americans might be innocently hiking in the hills on the border between Iraq and Iran, I have some swamp land in Arizona and a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.

The N. Korean thing is a lot more complex. These are Asian women working for Al Gore, who got stiffed on a news-making trip to PyongYang about 10 years ago because with an election coming up he didn't want to look too concilliatory. The Gore-Bill-Hilary connection is just too obvious to ignore. I'm sure with GPS technology they knew exactly where the border was, and were trying to sneak in either for journalistic or covert purposes.

But one thing is for sure: illegal aliens in Iran and N. Korea don't get ignored like they do here.

[(Anonymous)]

I totally agree!!! I'm so sick of the stupidity. ~Dona