We don't know the backstory yet.  I heard one report that it had all been arranged ahead of time by BO's administration (presumably the State Department) & that Bill simply provided cover.  Whatever the backstory (and we may never know), I'll give Bill props for whatever role he played in obtaining their release.

I doubt seriously that we had to make any substantive concessions to the Ill One, so chaulk one up for BO.  First thing I've felt good about praising the guy for in a long time, if ever (to paraphrase Michelle).

I know what you mean, like I said, I'm happy they are back in the US. I would never want someone to have to suffer the laws of a country like N. Korea, still I tend to be a believer that if you break the law you should be punished if caught. I can't just ignore punishment just because they are from my country.

Clinton did a good thing, if Obama was involved in some way, I'm glad he didn't get all the props. he doesn't deserve it as far as I'm concerned. As for not giving and substansive concessions, just giving them something to gloat about or make it seem like we are making deals with people like the President of N. Korea.

I'm curious, why is that. Is it because you feel they're inhumane, harsh, et al.?

Duh.

The whole thing probably was arranged ahead of time and Clinton took the lead because it allows the State department to pretend it wasn't involved and we (the USA) was coerced or made any concessions.  I am glad they are back, too, but KJI got what he was desperate for and never got from Bush...recognition...center stage...status as a world player. 

And there is the history there, too.  The Chinese and North Koreans are quite fond of the former president since he made it possible for them to obtain a lot of the technology they needed to make those rockets go straight. 

Hmmm, inhumane describes it just about right. I'm sure your probably looking to throw the whole waterboarding thing in here but last I checked we don't torture people for crossing the boarder illegally. If anything, the only difference between jail and the outside is the size of the jail vs the size of the world and in some cases people inside jail live a luxurious life compared to homeless people. So, now that I have satisfied your curiosity, it's time you satisfy mine. What was the point of your question? I find it strange anyone, even you, would somehow make it seem as if the US is somehow inhumane, harsh, et al considering all the illegals in the country we are aware of. Please enlighten me.

i'm sincerely disappointed yall are wasting such an auspicious opportunity here. 

after all, those women worked for al gore's network on top of which, they're journalists. 

over the past several years, i've read a number of articles describing casual, almost friendly encounters between north korean military personnel and civilians of non-north korean persuasion along that same border area during the course of which said civilians trade exotic stuff (like food) to soldiers for souvenirs (like milirary ensignias, parts of their uniforms, etc.) often at the guards' invitation.

so why were these two captured--if, in fact, they didn't just surrender or something? 

it's no secret kim jung il has aspirations to be an acclaimed film director.  so isn't it at all possible this whole thing was engineered to provide him with the opportunity of a lifetime?

how difficult could it be for kim's henchmen to access the plane while everyone was distracted by the diplomatic dog-and-pony show?  in minutes they could easily have installed enough microcams to turn it into a flying big brother house and provide kji with 15 hours of candid footage--far more than necessary to create his opus "mire high crub" starring birr crinton, monica rewinsky and gennifer frowers.

with that kinda fusion and fission, who needs nukes??? 

jeez, i almost left out the best part.  not only does bill come outta this whole thing a winner...he gets to show hillary up at the same time.

I have to admit, that does sound funny. Oh lord, I actually found something KB said funny. Now I know something is bad.

What, exactly, was your point with this?

Wow, and I thought I made an ass out of myself and went off on a nonsensical tangent last night...

My reason, other than and secondary to curiousity, is because I always thought you were the law abiding kind of guy; meaning you believed in if you broke the law, then you do the time. Or does that only count in the US? I just am concerned because, while I do admit his systems is extremely fucked up, if we (nation/people/etc.) just shrug off their law system....it could create the precedent that we don't have to follow their - or any - laws. Granted, there's a difference between us following Kim Jong Il's laws (With punishments like death for singing, or whatever) and say that of England or France, due to the...more humane foundation witht he latter, but, to me at least, it still sets a precedent that just doesn't sit right. Are we to set ourselves up with special rights and priviliges? Just a thought.

Be well, ~Alderic

Everything kb says is funny.

Apology for what, exactly? Maybe just that the women crossed the border accidentaly?

Oh my God, you mean we actually apologize for shit we do wrong? Now that's just scary; Gawd forbid it happens again, we're perfect. \sarcasm

I guess it doesn't matter that it seems -at least from what I've read - like the journalists entered the country without a visa (i.e. illegally). That isn't to say I feel they should be killed for such things, but...they broke a law. What do we do again, with those who enter our country illegally? Oh right.

Be well, ~Alderic

Bill didn't have to rescue the girls or do anything else at all to have his stock soar. All he needed to do was sit back and let us learn to appreciate him in the era of Obama. Heck, I even appreciate Carter a little bit more each day. Setting aside all Carter's obvious bias and liberal incompetence, at least he was an honorable man, unlike Obama.

Care to expand on that?