Bill Clinton gets jouralists freed from N. Korea

http://news.aol.com/article/bill-clinton-in-north-korea/

Clinton, US Journalists Head Back to US
Ex-President Secures Release of American Reporters from North Korea
By JEAN H. LEE
AP
posted: 27 MINUTES AGO
comments: 6546
filed under: North Korea, World News

SEOUL, South Korea (Aug. 4) – Former President Bill Clinton brought two freed U.S. journalists out of North Korea Wednesday following rare talks with reclusive leader Kim Jong Il, who pardoned the women sentenced to hard labor for entering the country illegally.
Euna Lee and Laura Ling were heading back to the U.S. with Clinton, his spokesman Matt McKenna said, less than 24 hours after the former U.S. leader landed in the North Korean capital on a private, humanitarian trip to secure their release.
More at link above.

OK, I am curious what you all think of this. I am so happy that the journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee are on their way home. However, I am disappointed that this is receiving criticism by some. Former US Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, called the trip a propaganda victory for North Korea and a reward for hostage taking. I just don't understand this. I mean, what are we supposed to do? Not use the best weapon we have to get those AMERICANS home, Bill Clinton? Bill Clinton has been very popular in N. Korea and if that's what it took, then so be it. He didn't go there to help them build nuclear war heads or give them permission to build them. Anyway, I am just so thrilled these two young women on the way home. I wanted to share for anyone who didn't know this yet.

I am thrilled that these women have been released !!!!!!

I don't like the criticism at all, but as always there will be some who find criticism with everything or anything. I personally don't care who was responsible for their release,or who negotiated it. I don't believe our country would ever make any signifigant "deals " or shady, secret acts that would jeopordize our country.

Bottom line is these fine young women are back home and safe now. I am watching HLN News right now for their arrival.

Well said Sunni, I nearly cried. I am a huge fan of sister Lisa, and in Jun when their sentence was announced i nearly dropped to the floor. I can only imagine how they and their families took it. I had a little bit of comfort, knowing how Lisa is so vocal on important issues, and not hearing one word from her since her appearance on AC360 the day after sentencing. Her silence helped me suspect something was in the works.
I love Bill, I always have, and I always will. I dont care either, whether it was a private humantiarian plight, or not. I cud care less who was involved. These young girls are home to continue in their lives.
Although, they were likely treated well, as they were bargaining chips, the utter fear must have been unbearable.
Welcome Home !

I love Lisa Ling ! I think this was all done with such dignity and by the grace of God these two ladies are free.

Tracey, I'm so glad you posted this thread. Watching them get off that plane today brought tears to my eyes. I applaud Bill Clinton for bringing these women home! This is a wonderful story and what humanity is all about!

I'm so happy for them! I can not imagine how THEY must have felt stepping back on American soil.

I couldn't be happier for the journalists and their familes. I too, love Bill Clinton.
I don't mean to turn this thread negative. However, seeing John McCain now say this is propaganda for Jim Jong Il and North Korea. Rush Limbaugh saying he heard Bill Clinton apologized to him as well, is ticking me off. Honestly, I don't think what he apologized for was, (if he even did so) anything having to do with international relations. He may have apologized for the young journalists crossing into NK, which by the way, they admitted to doing. I don't know. I'm just angry because these women were Americans and needed to come home. Why can't it just be what it is and separate the two issues. No One agrees with that crazy Kim Jong Il. Let's be happy they are home and not turn this into something it's not. Meaning the politicians, not us here. LOL!

Ditto Tracey ! Very well said !

I think we did a very positive thing quickly and low key. He went, he met, the women came home.
I always wondered if they really wandered into North Korea or not but that is water over the dam.
Bill Clinton is still gaining face from his Monica mistake.
Darn but time has showed us just how much bed hopping goes on in Washington. Nobody has formed posse's and gone after them...just Bill. What a farce that was.
Personally I think Bill Clinton was a good president. He balanced the budget and life was good in the Clinton Days.

I agree Jeanne, I was proud to have him as my president, Monica scandal and all. He sure showed the world what a fine statesman he is to finally get those two girls home. Life was good in the Clinton days. As a family we had more money to spend.

never go tripping abroad no reason too
and hurray for Bill Clinton
I personally love him he had economy so high sighs those were the dayss

I don't see why everything a politician does has to get criticized by somebody. It definitely was a good thing that Bill Clinton helped bring these girls home. I agree that things were good during his Presidency.