On Dennis Rodman's visit to North Korea.
Let me just say first of all I am a fan of basketball and its greats for better or worse each gave to the game. For better or worse some still give to the game and to the community. Mr. Rodman is one of these greats we speak of today. He has been plastered all over main stream media for his review of his North Korean trip. I just cant understand why people cant take the visit for what it was. It was nothing more. Apparently Kim Jung Un is a basketball fan and big one at that. Lets just accept that Dennis Rodman has done something Clinton, Bush nor Obama has managed to do for numerous amount of years.
Lets review some interesting facts. Jesse Jackson in 1983, Jackson traveled to Syria to secure the release of a captured American pilot, Navy Lt. Robert Goodman who was being held by the Syrian government. In June 1984, Jackson negotiated the release of twenty-two Americans being held in Cuba after an invitation by Cuban president Fidel Castro. On the eve of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Jackson made a trip to Iraq, to plead to Saddam Hussein for the release of foreign nationals held there as the "human shield", securing the release of several British and twenty American individuals. I could go on as Jackson has been very active in communicating with many of our enemy's.
This wasn't the only time that something like this has happened. Where trivial people have visited unfriendly foreign shores and lead the way for civil communication. Many actors and artist traveled to Soviet Russia to visit and socialize. Recently, FBI/CIA files reveal that these trivial visits lead to warming of US and Russian relations in the 80's and 90's.
Lets remember that Jackson, on his first attempt to free the hostages like Rodman was intially jeered for establishing communication with the enemy. Some might say its racist, or elitist. I don't know. But if it was Sean Penn or Katy Perry I don't think they would be getting slammed the way Rodman is. People say dont take his visit seriously. Are you kidding me this guy along with the Vice Magazine crew (props!) is the only American asset that has credible relevant intel on this Kim Jung Un. Not one! Not one Seal Team Op guy or CIA operator has any better intel on Jung Un than Mr Rodman right now. Just makes me mad. Just because Mr. Rodman basketball player whom is black tatted up, pierced, and world class rebel we are to ignore his invaluable contribution.
Sure the guy may not be the best spoken person. Which sisters Laura & Lisa Ling both pointed out in a recent interview. But the sisters say that they see Rodman's visit as positive but understand that Rodman may not have been aware of the gravity of the Kim Jung Un's crimes. He may have been wowed during his visit. NBC Journalist Lisa Ling went to free her sister Luna from North Korean captivity a few years back. I think they know what they are talking about. So I just wanted to praise Rodman. Props to Vice Magazine for whom I have been reading since the late 90's for laughs (They started the "People of WallMart" craze) has now crossed into the realm of main stream journalism congrats.
"Obama call him..."
Dennis Rodman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Ling
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Ling
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/3 ... 80841.html
http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/03/opinion/a ... index.html
Just had to gripe about this. If this the wrong forum then please move elsewhere
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First off, it's mostly because it's North Korea. Second off, it's not like Rodman has done himself any favors in his past to get himself taken more seriously. Foreign relations are more complicated than a front put on during a high profile visit to the country. There is a reason I'm not Secretary of State besides that fact Obama and I aren't as tight as he and hil-dawg or kerry. Thirdly, it's a visit to **** North Korea. You know, that country with a dictator that leaves his people starving and is conducting nuclear tests in addition to having a stockpile of chemical weapons.
