Bill Clinton visits NK, but how?

As you all can probably guess I was no huge fan of Clinton's.

That said...whatever Bolton says or not...if you are an ex-President, and the current President asks you to embark on a trip or a mission, I think you are almost obligated to do it. Obvious exception is Jimmy Carter who engages in "diplomacy" on his own and did so to the chargrin of almost every sitting President since his term ended (and that is why he is largely hated amongst the ex-Presidents - Clinton hates Carter worse than the Bush's do I have read). Anyway...Clinton was called upon to work for Tsunami and Katrina aid by W - and he did. Obama had to ask him to do this (it had to be approved and coordinated from the Oval Office) and he did. Basically, bashing Clinton for this isn't the deal - if you disagree with the decision to send him, it is Obama's decision so bash there.

Also...I thought the Lewinsky deal was an embarrasment and bad. Now though...with time...I find Clinton more of a funny rogue. He was talking to a REALLY pretty oriental woman at the homecoming thing in the hanger and it ccrossed my mind that he was chatting her up in hopes for a hummer, and it gave me a chuckle. Also - how apropos that he rides around on a BBJ. I can't imagine anything that a person could be that would be more cool than "ex-President" - that job has to simply kick-ass.
 
Why would anyone disagree with it now? It worked...:confused:

Well...define "worked". If the goal was simply to get the two women back, then yes, it worked. But, was there a "cost" to this that we don't know? We don't know what Clinton was told to give in exchange, nor do we know what implications those things will have long-term - if anything. One thing that Clinton did get is extended time with Kim Jong Il, and he is probably being debriefed in depth about his health and appearance and any cognitive difficulties he may be having - which could actually be meaningful. So - apart from the release of the journalists we don't know what was gained, or what it cost us - those are not available to the public.
 
Whatever the case it doesn't speak too highly of our current sec. of state if her husband has to do the dirty work for the country.
I'd be shocked if she accomplishes anything.....
 
Whatever the case it doesn't speak too highly of our current sec. of state if her husband has to do the dirty work for the country.
I'd be shocked if she accomplishes anything.....

She, is useless.

She, is not a politician.

The good people at the state department, the career diplomats, now they're not useless.
 
The theory I believe the most...

The deal for the women was already hammered out before Clinton left the US. I'm sure the US is giving N Korea something in addition to some degree of legitimacy with a visit from a respected ex- President.

Clinton was there for the pictures with Kim Jong Ill...not to hammer out a deal.

So basically the US paid a ransom to get to irresponsible "journalists" home. Sorry, but you know what that DMZ looks like between the Koreas? Ain't NO WAY you just happen to find yourself in the North. It's like a mile wide (the DMZ), patrolled, land mines etc....I guess they just didn't realize who they were dealing with.
 
According to someone on cable news or a person intimately familiar with what actually went on?

Remember, in another thread we're building a big bomb to go obliterate Iran.
 
According to someone on cable news or a person intimately familiar with what actually went on?

Remember, in another thread we're building a big bomb to go obliterate Iran.

You're right. You always have to dig through previous stories to find the "facts" from our "news sources."

Reported in July that DPRK would only release journalists if Bill Clinton came.

Clinton not "sent" by US, but had two briefings prior to "solely private" mission departure.

Current TV arranged aircraft. Current's co-owner Al Gore.

Bill Clinton and Al Gore thanked by Obama Administration
 
T Sorry, but you know what that DMZ looks like between the Koreas? Ain't NO WAY you just happen to find yourself in the North. It's like a mile wide (the DMZ), patrolled, land mines etc....I guess they just didn't realize who they were dealing with.


Keep in mind they didn't cross the DMZ. They crossed over from China. The border there in no way resembles the DMZ.
 
If anyone cares, the airplane he flew on was N2121, owned by Shangra-La Entertainment.

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I'd say Bill Clinton is pretty highly thought of in the current regime over in NK. After all he gave them so much in the 90's to keep them in line. Money, tons of oil, food (yet millions starved to death) and a light water nuclear reactor.
 
So, is his next stop Iran to get the three hikers, or does he only go get people who work for Gore?
 
The women refused to do what?!?!

The man flew all the way to North Korea to save their asses from years of hard labor, I say some airhead is in order.
 
We don't know what Clinton was told to give in exchange, nor do we know what implications those things will have long-term - if anything. One thing that Clinton did get is extended time with Kim Jong Il, and he is probably being debriefed in depth about his health and appearance and any cognitive difficulties he may be having - which could actually be meaningful. So - apart from the release of the journalists we don't know what was gained, or what it cost us - those are not available to the public.

Plus, Clinton, as an ex-President, can't promise anything. I am not sure Kim Jong Il gets that since he is a dictator and leader for life. Bill Clinton can promise the moon, the star, and the sun, and it doesn't mean squat.

On the other hand, if Hillary Clinton makes a promise, then it does count.

There is a reason why Bill Clinton went to North Korea, not Hillary Clinton.
 
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