I call your attention to a small detail about Laura Ling and Euna Lee, the two American journalists who were wrongfully arrested, illegally detained, and then capriciously released by the crime family that controls the northern section of the Korean peninsula and treats all its inhabitants as slave-prisoners and all the neighbors within its missile range as hostages. Full Story »
Posted by Derek Hawkins
Whether I agree with his conclusions or not - I always enjoy reading Hitchens. He may not reflect my point of view, but he regularly stands a chance of influencing it (my opinion) in either direction because he always provides context and rationale, practicing journalism, as it were. In this article he does take some extra time describing the the fine detail of the painfully obvious - that the capture and return of Ling and Lee was global political theatre; however, it seems clear that his real targets are the "legendeers" - that is to say - those that that perfect current events into something that is suitable for everything from setting the bar for higher honorarium or the opportunity to beatify Clinton, despite the media's obsession with Monica debacle. From Stain to Saint with a little help from one's friends. That seems to be Hitchen's point - although my reaction is: Why not?
Yes, it was a politically savvy staged event by the North Koreans - and Bill got the brass ring and chance to get a merit badge. So what? There is just so much more that is Globally important about conditions in the Korean peninsula, a Bill Clinton legacy rehabbing opportunity is just not that important. Good day's work - lousy day's work - it was still a day's work. I do though understand and possibly assent to his depiction of those that have volunteered to carry former President Clinton on a sedan chair.