Last Words on Bill Clinton's North Korea Mission

Nick Gillespie | August 17, 2009

Columnist Ron Hart on former President Bill Clinton's work on springing jailed U.S. journalists in North Korea:

I like what Clinton did, as it shows how quickly the private sector can respond to a crisis. He got a movie producer friend's jet, spent only $200,000 of non-taxpayer money, and acted swiftly and with resolve.

Imagine the cost, time, and all the U.N. resolutions it would take for our government to help two people held captive. So, for the U.S. the score stands: two saved from Communism.

More here.

Comments

|8.17.09 @ 9:38PM|#

Because the government had no knowledge of or involvment with the former President and current Sec. Of State's husband's diplomatic intervention.

Right.

Dana|8.17.09 @ 9:50PM|#

This is funny as hell. Hart is good.

I loved the "gift of dance."

|8.17.09 @ 10:20PM|#

So, for the U.S. the score stands: two idiots saved from Communism.

FTFY.

And while the much-maligned private sector can use all the positive PR it can get these days, I find it implausible in the extreme that KJI didn't get some public quid pro quo in return.

Mad Min|8.17.09 @ 10:25PM|#

I support rescuing the innocent from the clutches of unreasonable dictators. Too bad Slick Willie didn't take a trip into the vaginas of the millions of women who had abortions during his presidency, to rescue the truly innocent Americans who unknowingly crossed the border from oblivion into the uterus of a bodily dictator who cared nothing for their lives.

|8.17.09 @ 11:03PM|#

You're joking, right?

Don't answer that. I don't care.

Doctor Duck|8.17.09 @ 11:07PM|#

Too bad Slick Willie didn't take a trip into the vaginas of the millions of women

He did what he could. You can't ask for more.

joe from lowell|8.17.09 @ 11:15PM|#

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am still an arrogant dick.

|8.17.09 @ 11:58PM|#

Well, really I am surprised that Willie was even into vaginas after that many years of marriage to She Who Must Not Be Named!

I'm gratified that he wasn't smoking sausages in the oval office instead.

Talk about "keeping hope alive"

The Libertarian Guy|8.18.09 @ 1:09AM|#

The actual last word should be "Did Clinton hit on the women he rescued?"

Paul|8.18.09 @ 1:28AM|#

Any word on the Obama administration "de-briefing" they were supposed to be giving Clinton? You know, to figure out what the fuck he promised the North Koreans that the Obama administration contends he had "no right to offer?"

The Libertarian Guy|8.18.09 @ 1:40AM|#

Good question, Paul. But do you really think Obama would want Clinton anywhere near the White House, even for a casual chat? He might steal something from Obama's stash.

As for debriefing, I'd say a quick trip to Gitmo would pry info from ol' Bill, toot sweet and in a fuckin' hurry.

Take two... I'd say ol' Bill had some debriefing in mind when he rescued those two women from North Korea.

Daniel|8.18.09 @ 7:30AM|#

Bill went for pussy. Plain and simple.

Ratdog|8.18.09 @ 7:36AM|#

This Ron Hart cat looks familiar, does he also go by the name Bill Nye?

TammyZZ|8.18.09 @ 7:38AM|#

Hart said on a radio show here that Clinton went to help the Asian women since he, more than anyone, knew how to get a "happy ending" out of them!

Dave|8.18.09 @ 8:35AM|#

Bill went for pussy. Plain and simple.

In his defense, he got it.

creech|8.18.09 @ 9:13AM|#

It was never clear to me how these "reporters" got captured. Isn't the North Korean/China border marked by barbed wire fences, patrolled heavily, etc.? I can see some hiker wandering into the U.S. from Canada, but how does it happen there? Or did North Korean patrols cross into China and snatch the women?
Inquiring minds want to know.

BarbariaZAZ|8.18.09 @ 9:21AM|#

Clinton was debrief'ed in Situation Room...not the first time per Hart!

Great column, he is the new PJ O'Rourke!

Mike Licht|8.22.09 @ 11:53AM|#

Bill Clinton did a good deed in North Korea, but he's no John Ensign.

See:

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/john-ensign-man-of-integrity/