Welcome Back Laura and Euna

The problem is we do not know exactly what was said or what was promised or anything.

So assuming it's bad for all afterwards is just making fear out of nothing.

Xiola,

Being that you are well versed on this board. Why hasn't Current covered their own story? Who owns it more than this company? I'm here for that and this is all they have published on the topic even days later.

This is a world story waiting to be told.

This would be a more appropriate forum for your subject: http://current.com/items/90618858_dear-laura-and-euna-aka-faux-journalists-thank... or perhaps: http://current.com/items/90611095_their-freedom-at-what-cost.htm or maybe: http://current.com/items/90631275_sister-journalists-crossed-into-n-korea-cnn.ht...

As to why Current didn't acknowledge the ordeal: That's not the point of this post either; however, I thought GrinningSatyr said it well, "They probably removed it because they didn't want to do anything inflammatory, or that North Korea would use as a bargaining chip against them in trials/negotiations.
While I agree censorship is bad, they did the right thing in this situation. It maximized their chances of survival." lucidstone surmised, "I imagine that Current won't get into the underlying geo-political details of why it was needed for them to remain silent over the detainment of these girls via CurrentTV, Current.com, and general press . . . but I'll put 1000::1 odds on that it can be summed up with 'aiding diplomatic negotiations.' Personally, I believe the 'respectful' silence was 100% necessary to help secure their release . . . and I personally believe Current did the RIGHT thing by putting the interests of Laura and Euna (and their families) ahead of appeasing their viewers..."
But, of course, these are just guesses. It bugged me at first, too, that they censored it, but I'm over it. It probably was the safest way to handle it.
Hope that answered your questions. :)

Everything need not be told just because the curious bug has bit you on the ass. If and when they decide to tell it is their business. They decided to not have it on their website. They probably did not want to read harsh things about what people thought about the people they were worried about. Now that they are home they allowed a welcome home thing and yet this happy moment has brought out the gremlins of anger.

It is sad that people cannot agree to be happy that people are SAFE...no....someone has to be to blame...someone has to be told they did something wrong.

Two people were wrongly imprisoned (no matter the law) for an asinine reason and are now released because a politician has the ability to speak and he used it to deliver two girls back home to their families. Clinton did very good job. What he said and how he did it doesn't necessarily have to matter. It only matters to criticize him.

Accept the fact that this is Current and they love their staff and they are protecting them from retarded accusations while it was progressing. Now they may not speak of it and they might, but be happy they don't shut down those that are being vicious for no reason whatsoever in this welcome home moment.

Really J_Jammer? Really?

We live in an information age. If there was nothing to hide, then Current would have reported. See it's glamorous for American reporters to report about what we feel is other countries shortcomings and non-humanitarian acts. But this company, Current knowingly sent these reporters into a dangerous zone and yet, days after the women are home, the company has not made a statement about their responsibility. Isn't their business to report the news?

I have already stated that I am glad the girls got home. I watched and cried as Daniel Pearl (another journalist) was executed. I am glad they are home because they are Americans.

Make no mistake J_Jammer, these women broke the law in a country and were imprisoned for their actions. That is not an asinine reason or false imprisonment.

What our country gave up to Kim Jong is definitely important for us to know. It's amazing how you want to support journalism, but you don't want me to have a right to information from my government.

Current loves their staff? Are you sure? Current caused this fiasco and when the reporters were caught, how come their camera person wasn't caught with them? Why didn't Current bargain for the release of their employees?

Being vicious is name calling. I am asking Current to state the fact, it is nothing personal J_Jammer. You and many others are taking personal because I am not on the "good feelings wagon."

A business transaction transpired between my country and another. We have a right to know about it. Just declaring "Hooray your home" is not enough for a company which should have accepted responsibility.

No you do not.

You are one of those people that want to cause trouble out of greed.

Greed? No money will be coming my way over this. So I have no idea what you are talking about. I'm here for the truth.

Greed: excessive desire to acquire or possess more (especially more material wealth) than one needs or deserves

Maybe you chose the wrong word? Who knows.

For attention.

You've yet to make a point and I really don't think you ever will.

The only way you have a point is if you tell the whole truth to everyone you ever met. But you don't. You lie to protect people.

So you're just being a hypocrite right now.

Nope not that either. I'm well known online - you can google my name and see that. I could have sent a whole lot of people here to see this nonsense conversation. I have no need to. I'm sure many would have loved to join in. But I'm not here to argue with you.

I've made it clear why I am here - I want Current's side of this story. Getting the story from you and a whole lot of current users is fine with some people, but not me. I want it from them.

I'm tired of talking to you because you have no facts to share. Take care!

For someone who wants facts that was surely a flimsy excuse as to why you are here....

How do you plan to prove that is why you are here? Just by taking your word for it?

Something you can't even do when told that.

No, you've already decided what is right and what is wrong. Getting a response will not alter what you are thinking right now. That much is apparent.

Your charade is silly.

Ever seen Battlestar Galatica? The new one? You remind me of Guis Baltar. He pretended to do things for the betterment of the people when in reality it was for the greed of one....and in your case it's the need to be ultimately right so you can say "SEE I knew there was something more."

A motive that is most dangerous and destructive.

you all take things too personally. quit taking digs at each others credibility. this is the interenet. the only way you can legitimize anything is if you cite your sources from more credible individuals or agencies.

@queenoftheclick:

We all want to know what transpired between these two executives of our world governments, however we may never know what goes on in private caucuses held behind closed doors in far away foreign lands. all we can really hope to do is trust in our "high profile" representatives to act on behalf of our nations best interests. given that the information exchanged may in fact be case sensitive and highly confidential. In light of the idea that this situation has had potential hazards it is imperative that it be dealt with accordingly in the most delicate diplomatic way as possible. perhaps somethings are better left unknown for a time strictly on a purely "need to know" basis.

However in spite of all this, i am with you. Be well assured that the truth comes out in time, whether it be through word or not otherwise, it comes out in the following actions. only time may tell, as of yet the rest remains to be seen. although that doesn't mean we don't eventually have a right to know. The people have a right to know. we want the truth, well maybe it is true that we may not be able to handle the truth and when addressed by it we may over react or jump to conclusions and cause a hazardous situation to worsen what may other wise have had potential for more peaceable means.

in example:

-an article found from the NY Times
Monday, August 10, 2009

Silence on North Korea Detainments Causes Concern Among Current TV Staff

"It is not unusual for news organizations to adopt a silent stance when their journalists are detained or otherwise endangered overseas. News outlets often choose not to comment as they work aggressively behind the scenes for the release of their employees. But the public nature of Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee’s detainments have put additional pressure on Current to comment about the case."

or for more see the following link:
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/silence-on-north-korea-detainme...

@J_jammer:

responding to personal digs doesn't prove anything it only gets us further away down the path of anger, and as we all know, "anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering." responding to personal digs does not promote our knowledge of the situation it only gets us further off track farther from the facts and what really matters. i agree with #xiola, "I wish people would stay on topic though, instead of using this post as a place for their rants.[....]There are other more appropriate places for your rants. Or you can create a post of your own and go off there."

In any given situation thereof I don't feel obligated to defend myself in my opinion. because from my point of veiw it seems as though it is always true. unless otherwise legitimately disproved I am not so prideful not to acknowledge an alternative perspective. asking a question can be seen as making a challange. coming to a better understanding of things can be seen as a victory... so long as one humbles their opinion in acceptance for this higher degree of understanding.

It is good to spar in such a manner. It is good to show that those who think it is wise to take a path of insults that they are not so good at the insults as they so think. It does not bother me what most people state. I do move on with a roll of the eyes and a few cookies.

Lots of things are not necessary...but socially they happen anyway.

Again, sk8bs55, I couldn't have said it better myself. :) I totally respect all these different opinions, I just don't think this is the place for them. In my humble opinion it's like this--and this is over-simplifying, I know:

Imagine we're all working in an office together. Two of our co-workers, that we very much care about, get very sick with some communicable illness. So we all get together and make this very caring card for them. We work very hard on the card and pour all our love into it. But a couple of workers get the card and they write things like, "Too bad you're sick, but you should have washed your hands. You're stupid. Now you're gonna get us all sick, and we're gonna have to use our sick-days. You screwed us." Now, you messed up our beautiful card. If you really need to say something like that to the sick people, you wouldn't choose that venue for expressing yourself (I hope). You would probably approach them directly or send them an email.

I know this isn't a perfect analogy. I bet you know what I mean, though. :) If you're mad at Current, write them. They always respond to my correspondence, though it may take a little time. Thanks.

sk8bs55, xiola, J-Jammer: well done.

Xiola,

I understand what you are saying, but the analogy doens't work here as this isn't just two people gone missing for awhile. It's quite a bit more and it affects the world in different ways. Probably a lot more than you know.

And ya know I can go the other way and say put your video some place else, this is a news site that has news to report. And people to comment on it. That's what current is based upon. This isn't YouTube or Vimeo, this is a business. So understand my side as well.

You are really something, but you're not going to get to me :)

I don't mind that you patronize me: "it affects the world in different ways. Probably a lot more than you know." I get what you're saying, and I told you that I respect it. I understand the implications of the situation, and I'm not here to argue with you. I just said THIS post isn't the post. You get that, I think, you're just flailing. Frankly, I wouldn't have pointed out that you were off issue (I'm generally too polite) but you said another poster was off issue. It was just one of those pot-calling-the-kettle-black things.

I visited the blog you think you're well known for, and it was nice. I find it strange you call yourself a Christian yet you behave in such a mean-spirited manner.
It seems true to form that you would attack me, going off on a new rant. This is much, much more than a news site, but you wouldn't know that, because you're so new to it. You have just recently arrived to start problems and incite arguments. I don't mean to be rude at all, but that was kind of an ignorant thing for you to say. I mean, the homepage has a music section on it. LOL. None of my music posts are submitted under the news heading or group. I am the owner of a music group that Current staff is participating in. You're so wrong it's funny. You seem like a very intelligent person, but you're just swinging for no reason.

And, as far as my analogy goes, I told you it was oversimplifying. Still, I stand by it. This is a post of love, not a place for you to spew your agenda.

And, by the way, music heals. I think you desperately need to turn on some tunes. I am upset with myself for allowing you to incite me just this little bit. You will hear no more from me, so abuse me as you will :) Be well.

You are an instigator; you started a whole new topic to try and get some attention.

You have been quoting and then questioning my religion. Why?

- Because I'm not just going with popular thought and cheering these women home? Yes, I'm glad they home. It hurt terribly when Daniel Pearl was executed. If you know who he is, you would understand why many Americans believe these women should not have been there.

This is a new site for many. These women are journalists. People comment on the news. Unless you own this site, don't tell people where to post.

Enough with the back and forth. We are done. I do understand where you are coming from; one day you may understand where I am coming from.

HWelsh and others,

I have a right to express an opinion, even if it differs with yours. Hate is a strong word and I don't think that it is called for here. I am an educated woman and I expect other educated women to think before they act.

HWelsh, this wasn't accident. This situation happened because of these reporters misconduct. Nobody is perfect, but do we have to act at the lowest level of being civil?

HWelsh, you are also correct, I do have an agenda here. Current and it's owner, Mr. Gore need to accept responsibility for sending these reporters to an area of the world where they didn't belong. They should not be labeled heroes or benefit from acts of stupidity.

Yes, Welcome back is the title because Current chose not to report the truth about these reporters. It was said that they couldn't report it because it would endanger the reporters. Now that they are back, the truth has not been told. A company who promotes "the truth in journalism needs to put up their own truth - The Inconvenient Truth of being responsible."

I'm done discussing this issue with you, HWelsh if you need to resort to name calling and not staying on the issue. You have five posts on these boards so you are here for a reason, don't make it to argue about me and my liberal, feminist, American beliefs.

From an outside observer... The core of this argument revolves around the dispute as to the intent of the conduct vs. performing the contact. One of you seems to feel that conduct deemed 'reckless' is never (or just in this situation, not) appropriate. One seems to feel that if the intent of the conduct is interpreted as to 'risk ones life for the potential benefit of others less fortunate' then it is not 'reckless' but heroic. So, one thinks of these women as heroines, another as criminal. Acknowledge the differences and go on to the next topic you're both right. Not even Lincoln is considered a hero unanimously.

Peace Out....

Lol, I don't think they did it on purpose. It's just a sad repercussion of serious journalism. The truth will never get out unless someone is willing to take risks. This is how we found out about the atrocities of WW2, and the Nazi regime. Should THAT journalist not have crossed the line? Every now and again- someone is going to get caught. That shouldn't negate the goal and purpose of journalism.

That's a very weak argument, "this is old news"

So I guess reporters should stop following stories on corruption in the government or soldiers and civilians dying at war?

Dude, Are you even on the same planet as the rest of humanity. I hope the Bell sisters.......Ding and Dong go back and finish their story.
Apparently, it wasn't worth it to them.......12 years hard labor, International incident and no story! Good job!

Bitterness^

Not bitter here at all......
Sometimes the truth hurts!
As they say,.....Don't shoot the messenger.

A messenger actually has a message. You have anger. That is not a message.

J_Jammer,

Use Common Sense and I might have some anger as we can't figure out how two educated women could put themselves in a unnecessary situation. Nor can we understand why the real story has not been given by now. Just because we aren't cheering "Yay heroes," doesn't mean we aren't passionate about our country.

Welp I guess since the sex trade is old news who the fuck cares. I mean, it's not your sister or daughter, right? Why bother trying to get more investigative reporting? I mean it's this whole other country that doesn't matter! Sounds like you're an arrogant American that thinks freedom of press should be stifled. Heaven forbid serious journalism compete with your mediocre nitetime entertainment-news programs...

Yay heroes has not been uttered. More like YAY you're home and your family is now happy.

Not being able to show happiness for someone else's situation is bad human form.

@USE_COMMON_SENSE:

Lame. Your argument is shallow and vaccous, baseless and tactless.To say the least, in short, none of us know precisely how they were apprehended. Unless you know something we don't, please, do share it with us. Because, in-so-far, they've not yet released the details. And so it goes it seems your theories are full of holes. Think before you speak consider the source and how they would be most likely to hear your message so that your point were well received and respond positively to it. Otherwise, you had better quit instigating before you say something you might regret.

Get off your soap box people are obviously tired of hearing your bit of this mindless drivel. It doesn't make any sense and it confuses people who are trying to make sense of it. Who is honestly going to listen when you've not got the facts to back it up save for but a few loosely associated anecdotes and armchair tom foolery. I sincerely believe that the old adage applies here, especially in your case, for now or more than ever, "if you haven't got anything good to say don't say it at all."

In a word your highly opinionated posts are: insipid and tasteless; posing invalid arguments purely for affect is nothing short of foolishness–furthermore it does nothing to contribute to the whole in forwarding our knowledge of the situation. It is of little or no consequence to the truth. I would that you were not so arrogant and pious to pretend otherwise.

Please do us all a favor, find some other forum to troll and spare us the rigmarole. I am sure there are others full of....or for your case, in want of a better word, "like-minded" people. I say that in the most polite way I possibly can. Should you choose to continue too, be more respectful. At least then people might be more willing to hear you out.

Here we're about sorting proper change in order for progress that is to be desired among us forward thinking folk looking to solve problems as oppose to start them. The world has already got enough trouble with confusion, it doesn't need you to make more.

LOL no one even knows who you are addressing because your comments are so general and silly.

Wait I know Al Gore claims to have invented the Internet, but are claiming to be the president of the Internet and making laws for it? Nice rule silly: "Find some other forum to troll and spare us the rigmarole."

Very well put, sk8bs55. Thank you :)

@queenoftheclick:

The previous post has nothing to do with you.

Although, you too have not submitted anything of any real substance. How can we? it is not as if any one of us is more in the know than any other....and to pretend to is frivolous and futile as well as further confusing others. quit instigating.

I may be an "anonymous" contributor and I don't have a personal blog. Unlike others, however, I don't find it necessary to use the internet to validate my own existence.

....It is merely a useful tool to consolidate my thoughts, feelings, and opinions; ideas that translate what I say and do in "real-time" so as to share them with other more forward thinking, "like-minded" individuals- all in efforts to come to some better understanding of things.

A word of advice: "Sapere Aude"
~Immanuel Kant quoting a Roman poet and great thinker Quintus Horatius Flaccus

....great thinkers are dangerous. ~S.O.A.D.

free your mind: dare to think freely.

p.s. if you really do have more "blogs" please cite them, otherwise quit talking about it and provide us with the link(s).

btw fyi:

Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee, is an English engineer and computer scientist and MIT professor credited with inventing the World Wide Web.

or for more info is located at the link below:

http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_berners_lee_on_the_next_web.html

"Most" is pretty damn generous

Google their names - you would be surprised. Current isn't the first place they expressed an opinion; it's just one of the places.

You know who else were criminals? Well...I'll allow this quote to speak for itself:

---We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was "legal" and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was "illegal."--- ~Martin Luther King, Jr., "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Why We Can't Wait, 1963

You are absolutely right "Use Common Sense."

Yet, most Americans don't want to see them benefiting from their crime by writing a book or being paid for movie rights. It's strange that there are still some people in our country don't realize that what these women did was wrong.

As Use-Common-Sense's rage is anything more than partisan hackery. The only place I've encountered people saying these women are reckless self-absorbed journalists is on anonymous forums like this one (with only a few people) and Foxnews.com.

Sorry if you think my opinion is based on rage, I'm just stating my opinions and that of what I've heard from others during conversations.
I too am glad they are reunited with their families. But common sense should tell us all this entire situation could have and should have NEVER happened.
Just because Al Gore called in a few IOU's from his political connections and forced the U.S. to negotiate with a rouge regime, should not have been a burden place on Americas shoulders.
I'm sure the a hundreds if not thousands of Americans jailed around the world for crimes less significant than which they commited and get no attention. This whole story was a farce placed on Americas shoulders because of Al Gore, Current T.V. and poor journalism practices!

North Korea has terrible laws.

the problem stems from that more than it does from crossing an invisible line.

WTF ?? Ever heard of the DMZ ( Demilitiarzed Zone) a 2.5 mile wide area also the most heavily guarded border in the world! Where 50 years after the conflict over 28,000 U.S. troops still patrol.
Going into China and crossing is just mindless journalism! Perhaps just that fact alone would make most people think that there may be consequences of being caught on the other side.
Not to mention US state Dept. warnings that you may be DETAINED, ARRESTED or EXPELLED!
Invisible line..........GET A GRIP!

The North Koreans didn't detain them to promote border security, they detained them to stifle free speech and intimidate dissent. If you think momentarily crossing a boarder is such a grave crime, I think you have some issues to work out.

Really? What a stupid response to a murky border dispute which ended in two journalists (and American women) being detained for months. They have the courage to bring you information - have the courage to think critically for once. *Shame on You*

Speak for yourself. Please don't make claims such as "Most of the blogs on other news sites people think your actions were moronic, self serving and you both lack any common sense.
Most Americans believe your passports and journalistic credentials be revoked."

There is nothing factual in that statement at all. When stating an opinion please be sure to avoid sounding factual. It ruins your credibility, and no one will put stock in what you say.

I don't think their motives were as selfish as you describe. They knew the risks of real journalism, true, but the risk they took doesn't make them morons, it makes them activists. Instead of sitting around spouting ignorant opinions via blog on topics they know nothing about-they're out there fighting for a cause.Truth is worth fighting for, and I'll gladly give up a tax dollar in effort to preserve freedom of press!

speak for yourself.

how far would you go in search of the truth?

There is a vast difference. Timing is the most influential, I expect. A lot has changed since the mid-seventies. This is RECENT news. No one is spinning over L.P because that was like 35 years ago, and the situation was different. These girls were journalists taken as political prisoners for illegally entering a hostile foreign country. Leonard Peltier was a political activist who shot and killed two officers entering his tribal territory back in '75, details of which are still largely unclear. While I agree that L.P received an unfair trial, and don't believe he ever should have been incarcerated, he did kill two people do achieve his goal. These girls didn't. And they are not old news...that's why everyone's caught up in it. Haven't you noticed the media has a clever way of keeping people informed of what THEY want you to be informed of? It's not Laura and Euna's fault L.P has gone unnoticed....or that their own efforts of activism have made headlines. Tomorrow...everyone will be sucking the life out of another story...

If I'm not mistaken he's up for parole finally-if they give it to him =I

Groundbreaking journalism, without limitations from the underwriters and the huge corporate overhead, is what Current is about. They have not only amazing talent but are extremely brave journalists. I am in complete disbelief that there are individuals out there that are unable to see this. Hopefully these individuals will see a segment that beings the realization of just how amazing the powerful work the Vanguard Journalists are performing and sharing with us.

Omg, lol. I will drink to that! I've been reading their garbage for an hour firing off responses, but I expect they won't understand a word I said...not monosyllabic enough...

Go Johnny! I can't wait to hear the whole story.

I missed your response before adding my own with the same view. I couldn't have said it better myself... In fact, I didn't. You state my point better than I did.

To be honest I too have to agree with you on some points here. What informaiton were they carrying when taken, andh ow could it ultimately wind up putting other innocent lives in danger? I definitely think that is a question we will need answered in subsequent weeks.

"SEOUL, South Korea — One video recorder, six tapes, a digital camera and a stone: North Korea laid out its evidence against two American journalists sentenced to hard labor for entering the country illegally.

The country's official news agency reported Tuesday that the journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, documented their journey into communist North Korea, even pocketing a stone to commemorate the illicit trip across the frozen Tumen River from China."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/16/laura-ling-and-euna-lee-i_n_216051.html

No doubt we were misled into thinking the border crossing was either not true or inadvertent. N Korea claims they have video of the journalists bragging about their illegal entry and even picking up a rock from N Korea as a souvenir! Now we have Lisa's admission about the "30 second" crossing which gives credence to the N Korean claims. And if true, this shows incredible callousness for the stakes here and to me makes the adjective “reckless” an understatement. This also marks the first time in a truth battle with N Korea, that the free press lost. Bad precedent for Current TV.
Very scary.
For another day is what the journalists told their captors about the aid work in China, S Korea and within N Korea itself. We all know how frightened they were.
How much resistance were these “girls” able to muster to avoid endangering others? I confess I’d probably not be very brave but I would for sure not be so dumb and irresponsible as to enter North Korea just for the drama of it all. They were making themselves the story and now maybe hundreds of the bravest humanitarian workers in the world are at grave risk.

All very chilling!

Overconfidence, arrogance and recklessness in journalism have also saved lives. I swear- does NO ONE remember the pioneer journalists? If it wasn't for risks, we wouldn't be able to uncover much of the corruption we do, and have in the past. I'm almost relieved that Walter Cronkite has passed on, because this negativity surrounding what every REAL journalist does for a living would break his heart. I guess when the media has been reduced to Starbucks ads, and unqualified bloggers all you can expect from the blind-sheep masses is the regurgitation of their own garbage =I

Feldspar,

When all else fails and no one is agreeing with calling on the pioneer journalists, don't try insult others; it shows weakness.

Feldspar - Do you realize these women were not reporting on a new story? Current sent them to do the same old human trafficking story.