Criticisms from some of the Republican senators of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s success in gaining the release of two American journalists from North Korea’s gulag are misplaced. The Clintons’ behavior demonstrated respect for the expertise of their advisers and restraint from political grandstanding. Any propaganda gain for the North Korean regime will be short-term and limited. It’s even possible that the episode will have a positive effect on our troubled nuclear negotiations. What "Bubba" Clinton did was called diplomacy.
Ever since the journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, were captured on North Korea’s border with China in March, America has had little diplomatic leverage. The Obama administration could have gone the "John Bolton" route: finger-pointing, high talks, and bombs.
Some (mostly Fox) commentators are suggesting that the Clintons’ actions showed American weakness by expressing regret to a ruthless dictator. These critics need to ask themselves: how would a more aggressive approach have gained the release of these two women from a sentence of 12 years of hard labor?
Dick Morris,a conservative political commentator, said this:
Heartless, cold, ignorant, deuche are some the words when describing the aptly named Dick.
The American people know bolstering the egos of Pyongyang’s leaders is no pleasure. Just look at Bill Clinton’s grim expression in photos of him with Mr. Kim. But it is a proved means to a desired end.
If tensions begin to cool and North Korea shows itself more open to legitimate talks, then the Clinton diplomacy will have helped to produce unexpected dividends. For the moment, however, it is enough to have two of our citizens back from the gates of Hell with America’s dignity intact. It's called diplomacy, stupid.
My name is Sang Hyun Jung
Like you I try hard to stay informed by reading and watching the news
I passionately observe current/world events, because
I want to know why people behave or think the way they do
And how societies respond.
The Tenderfoot is a collection of article entries
framing the news and discourse through a sociological lens
Since news in general is not really about what is reported
But about greater issues that underlie within these everyday events
Friday, August 7, 2009
It's called Diplomacy, Stupid
Written by Sang Jung
Criticisms from some of the Republican senators of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s success in gaining the release of two American journalists from North Korea’s gulag are misplaced. The Clintons’ behavior demonstrated respect for the expertise of their advisers and restraint from political grandstanding. Any propaganda gain for the North Korean regime will be short-term and limited. It’s even possible that the episode will have a positive effect on our troubled nuclear negotiations. What "Bubba" Clinton did was called diplomacy.
Ever since the journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, were captured on North Korea’s border with China in March, America has had little diplomatic leverage. The Obama administration could have gone the "John Bolton" route: finger-pointing, high talks, and bombs.
Some (mostly Fox) commentators are suggesting that the Clintons’ actions showed American weakness by expressing regret to a ruthless dictator. These critics need to ask themselves: how would a more aggressive approach have gained the release of these two women from a sentence of 12 years of hard labor?
Dick Morris,a conservative political commentator, said this:
Heartless, cold, ignorant, deuche are some the words when describing the aptly named Dick.
The American people know bolstering the egos of Pyongyang’s leaders is no pleasure. Just look at Bill Clinton’s grim expression in photos of him with Mr. Kim. But it is a proved means to a desired end.
If tensions begin to cool and North Korea shows itself more open to legitimate talks, then the Clinton diplomacy will have helped to produce unexpected dividends. For the moment, however, it is enough to have two of our citizens back from the gates of Hell with America’s dignity intact. It's called diplomacy, stupid.
