Thank You From Laura and Euna

I think in about three years, we're going to to see that the North Koreans weren't the ones using these ladies as pawns.

irresponsible = yes
good note = yes, for them, at least for now.

Asshole

Careful man, discrediting someone is one thing... but Ron White got it right man... there is no cure for stupid... poke fun, discredit, but do not stoop, that accomplishes nothing.

Why does it matter?

It matters because intelligent people want to know how the decision to cross the border was made. Was it done on a whim? Whose whim; Laura or Mitch? Or was it the local guide's idea? These are smart questions that remain to be anwered.

That doesn't answer why it matters.

That does answer that people are just nosy and that has nothing to do with being smart...it has everything to do with being obnoxious.

The world doesn't need to know. Funny is how interested people are in why and not caring that N. Korea is so terrible that if you step foot in their country they're going to tear your head off.

If that happened in America you'd be up in arms.

But because they were reporters and you demonize them they must have done something wrong.

People do not have the right to know anything in this world. People know what they are told. And sometimes it doesn't even matter what they are told because what they have in their head is what they believe over what they are told.

Jammer,

With your logic, Bush was right to not let you know why he went to war. In fact, EVERY decision made by anyone would stand without explanation or rationalization.

I'm glad you take that position. Now, pay me 5,000 USD.

You don't have the right to know why. Just do it!

A simple no the hell I won't will be sufficient.

Try another avenue to get your weak point across.

I am not nosy and what does not concern me I do not inquire about. Their business was their business no matter what they did...so if they decide to share then they decide to share.

There is NO reason for you to know.

And no one has given a good enough excuse other than because they think they are entitled to it...sounds kind of haughty of most of you.

Think before you post your next response and it better be good enough to even waste your time typing.

I thought so.
why would they even
think of doing that?

Everybody's a critic.

However I am with you on this one. As much as I hate to say it, to most, the welcome home business is old hat by now. Eventually people are going to start to ask questions. There have already been quite a few raised eyebrows.

you raise a good point, where is the camera man? why isn't he in the picture? what happened to the footage? or was he marooned in the Maipai village? nobody knows. quite frankly it might begin to threaten their credibility. Honestly.

That is, at least according to some first responders posts, it may have already. In any case this may well prove to be a defining moment in the short history of currenttv/current.com. What follows might as well determine their future in foreign affairs.

Although, I will say that in-so-far they have most certainly dealt with it very gracefully. No news is good news to me but, eventually the truth comes out. However, even so, bad publicity is still publicity.
Perhaps maybe something good can come of this yet.

....like increased viewership and, as we have seen, more public participation from the grass roots level.

The Tumen River footage was confiscated by North Korea and used as evidence in Laura and Euna's trial, along with 5 other video tapes featuring Current TV's interviews with North Korean refugees. Maybe Mitch let go of the video camera in the struggle to get away from the North Korean border sentries.. Mitch escaped the area near Mapai village, but was briefly detained by Chinese police later before being allowed to return home.

The name Mitch Koss has been missing too much from this story. How does the guy in the story escape. Was he, as the excecutive producer, the driving force behind this ill fated trip? Middle aged guy in the twilite of his career trying to make a big splash, able to talk the young career climbing Laura into undertake this trek into North Korea. Why was Euna there at all? She is a film editor, not a reporter. Plenty of people to hire that can speak Korean. There are many possible scenarios, but until people get the courage to come forth and tell the truth, and not THEIR truth to make themselves look good, but the "warts and all truth" I have no choice but to believe that Koss talked them into this, bugged out at the first sign of trouble, and left the girls to their fate. He couldn't have saved them, but he could have suffered with them. Come on Current, come clean.

I will state that I was wondering if he was at the airport to welcome them home since he was mentioned as being part of this story.

Agreed. We're happy they're home... however, what prompted them to be on/across the river? It's hard to miss the border ESPECIALLY knowing what lies on the other side.

It's a lose lose situation. If these two women say they knew it was the border - they admit they acted illegally. On the other hand, if these two women say they didn't know what they were doing - they admit stupidity... and really, don't we have enough stupid reporters?

I doubt these women didn't know where they were. No one's that stupid.

What does it matter that they crossed the border anyway? It shouldn't.

N. Korea is stupid. The law is retarded and whether or not someone knew....it matters not. The law is wrong in this situation.

Mitch escaped at the last minute. Details are sketchy without his or Laura's deposition. He may not have been the driving force behind the decision to cross the border. Let's not pin the blame on this voiceless voodoo doll yet. Wait for Laura's editorial or her next video here on Current or her reply to this forum message.
Euna was in Yanji to facilitate interviews with North Korean refugees as a female interpreter. Laura and Euna traveled to South Korea first before China and that is where Euna's parents still live.
Mitch Koss was not at Burbank airport to welcome his colleagues back on US soil after leaving them on North Korean soil. The private welcome party inside the hangar was strictly a family affair anyway.
The border is not as clear as a line down the center of the Tumen River. In some places close to China's shore there are sandbars claimed by North Korea as their own territory. It was precisely at such a location in Yueqing township that Laura and Euna were arrested by North Korean border sentries.

The Current TV crew narrated a video saying that they entered North Korean territory and one of them even pocketed a souvenir stone according to the post-trial report evidence.

Illegal entry is not a stupid or retarded law. Ask the Americans who live along the Mexican border.

You mean the border where thousands sneak across?

That one?

And two reporters cross into N. Korea and were sentence to ten years in hard labor camp...oh yes so the same thing.
Like if they caught a mother and their child crossing from Mexico to America and sentenced them the same you'd say....well they shouldn't have crossed.

yeah right.

J_Jammer, I'm not sure which country you're from, but if you're from the states (US), you'll understand that we have a border to the south of us. Last I checked, and correct me if I'm wrong, we have "rules" for crossing that border. Oh yeah, and the last time I flew into a different country, I had to go through their immigration services. However, it's been a few months since my last trip so maybe things have changed....

Seriously buddy, there's a border, you know the consequences and you still cross it! Are you telling the guys at the DMZ that it's okay, they should just run across, "NO PROBLEM..."

Then again, if you've never traveled anywhere out of your state or country in your life... and don't watch the news, read the news about the US/mexico border... then maybe, just maybe, I can understand why you make such comments. Oh yeah, I'll need proof that you've been chained up in a basement dungeon your entire life signed by your captor.

A fool is what you are Chheang, there is not a DMZ between China and N. Korea... the Korean DMZ is on the 38th parallel between South and North Korea... seeing as those are the two that do not get along, for the most part China and North Korea are friends... hence no DeMilitarized Zone. Oh, and North Korea is known for kidnapping people they think are "interfering" with North Korea from the Chinese side of the border. These women are not villans, and there actions did not jeopardize the precious United States ego... just yours, so just stop the preaching... and move onto something you know and/or are good at... like breathing... and staring at walls.

Uh...come to Houston and I will show you all those that crossed the border and did NOT get into trouble. They wait to get jobs at gas stations.

Ha...we do not have rules for the entire border. Maybe rules that those that follow rules abide by, but for those that do not abide they get away with doing it incorrectly.

Such as Border Patrol shooting a drug dealer who was NOT a citizen and then the Border Patrol getting into trouble for doing their job.

If anything illegals get far more protection than a citizen ever would...apparently.

Perhaps you have not considered others that need to escape hardship. What if you were trapped in a country where you were being starved or had hardly any jobs to provide for your sickly family? Would you not go somewhere that would help you?

Or perhaps you have not considered that America is nothing but immigrants and that we too took this land from its Natives? Have you considered that then they needed a shorter route to Asia to help their kingdoms. Or that England, was much too small and by the Enclosure Act left several hundreds, if not thousands, unemployed. Perhaps you do not know that not much has changed in these undeveloped nations and that they need to escape?

Anyhow, journalists are there to get the truth by any means necessary. If you have sat at home and watched a single Vanguard episode you would understand they were doing this to provide us with the best. Even if what they did is wrong, they had good intentions. The specifics will be somewhat cleared up at a later time, as they said before. Perhaps you should pay more attention to what you say and know before you start throwing out sarcasm and dry wit.

To Milch: I apologize... I should have been more clear... figured everyone knew of the DMZ... I meant DMZ between S. and N. Korea.

As for the border in Texas... Yep, I believe you... completely open and available for folks to cross over willy, nilly.

And... to Amber... I've watched a lot of Vanguard pieces. However, I don't believe Vanguard condones illegal action to get any of their pieces. If so, I would like Vanguard to come out and just tell us so, but I'll err on the side that Vanguard won't release a press release encouraging their reporters to commit illegal acts to get a story.

Honestly, all I'm saying with the replies is: before we condemn other countries for their actions, we must take responsibility for our actions. Do I believe these 2 women deserve their original sentence? No. Did I believe the 2 women would have to serve their full term? No.

Anyhow, it's late. Right or wrong, these women were punished for an illegal act.

It has been speculated that the girls were lost, the guide was a spy and sold them to North Korea, that the girls dress as Korean refugees, maybe to do a reinactment, that this was all Laura's idea, she was competing with her more famous sister I thought I would throw in a scenario myself, not to pin the blame on the camera man, but to illustrate that until SOMEONE, ANYONE, tells us what happened, all we are left with is speculation and jumping to conclusions.

On Larry King Live, Lisa told Larry that the camera man/producer "who essentially escaped" called his wife, who called someone else who finally called Lisa. Yet throughout the interview, Lisa kept saying the only two people who knew what happened were Laura and Euna. I conclude that Mr Koss did not talk to or share any knowledge of the day with her, or that if he did, they were not at liberty to discuss it.

I don't expect the girls to be telling us anything anytime soon. Regardless of how any of the public feel about the situation, I can only imaging that once the high of getting home has worn off, there is a lot of physical and mental healing that they will be going through. Give them space. But there are people that can shed some light on events. Maybe they aren't saying anything out of respect for Laura and Euna. Well, at least tell us that!

If these reporters and this story belonged to another network, what would Current's stance be toward that network? Would they accept the silence, or would they be pushing for the story?

The girls were not lost. The guide might be a suspicious character; I would like to hear Euna's impression of him. Laura and Euna dressed as Korean refugees? I don't think so; that's like inviting North Korean border sentries to shoot them in the back. I believe it was more like a quick photo (and video) opportunity to enhance their documentary.

Mitch called Iain Clayton, Laura's husband, and it was Iain who initially informed Lisa of Laura's detention. Of course Mitch later told Lisa what happened but Lisa and CNN never mention the name "Mitch Koss" on TV or on CNN's blogs.

I still expect an editorial any day now from Laura as Lisa said was forthcoming. We have to keep hitting the refresh button just like we waited for the KCNA post-trial report after June 4. A video on Current.com would be even better, especially if it featured Laura, Mitch, and Euna together on one couch! Kumbaya, my lord, kumbaya....

The only other person who can shed light on what happened March 17, aside from the guide, is Reverend Chun Ki-won. He was the last person to communicate with Euna on the morning of March 17 before the Tumen River border caper occured. He also might know where that local guide is right now.

I'm not replying because this is interesting. Maco obviously hasn't read ALL the info about WHY Laura Ling and Euna Lee, working on a documentary for CURRENT TV re: the sex trafficking trade going on be-tween China AND...N. Korea. Their guide, I..believe, knew WHAT HE......was doing that lead these two journalists to cross a non-obvious border between the two countries.
Maco, get your facts straight BEFORE you go condemning what they did. Had they actually gone into N. Korea to report on the refugees living in Yanji, I doubt they'd even be home now! North Korean officials do.not.like.outsiders.showing the world what happens inside North Korea. That can mean indefinite imprisonment. I guess in rushing to judgement, THAT did NOT occur to you!

All I know about Laura Ling besides both sisters being journalists for Current TV is that Lisa is Laura's best friend and having a sister myself, I wish we had that type of best friend, however, due to circumstances beyond our control, that...will NEVER happen. Lisa and Laura have a lot in common, and I kind of envy that.
In watching the two sisters reunite, I thought how LUCKY they are to have each other.
I heard the commentator on ABC's The View telling her co-stars that Lisa is a member of The View family.
WELCOME HOME Laura Ling and Euna Lee!

whoa! wait a minute.... "horrible place," "tortured" and "starved" in "concentration camps"?

those are very strong words. especially in this situation. look, none of us know what happened to them over there. in-so-far, it's only hearsay of what we have heard from their close relations.

a statement like that implies that they were treated in the same way. please, for the sake of those who have only just learned this, let's try not to put words into their mouths. the statement of this issue stands alone.

even the politicians aren't talking.
right now it is obvious, mum's the word.

I only speak my own words, and would really appreciate others here not continually telling me what words to say or putting words in my mouth. Is there any thread we can go on where at least one person doesn't deem themselves the word and thought police? North Korea is indeed a horrible place and people are being starved and tortured in concentration camps. I don't need a "politician" to tell me that. I read.

Says the lady who decides to tell others that what they post is not news....speaking of thought police.

There is a time and a place to state your opinions on what transpired. Speaking your mind every chance you can makes you like PeTA...soon no one will listen because they know that you'll just be negative and disgruntled.

I personally like most of your post because you do speak your mind and that is necessary in a place like this and very appreciated, but this is neither the time nor the place to get into what you read about. I'm sure there are news articles you could find and post that would allow you to share your opinions without raining on parades.

Again, I hope that one day soon we will be able to get out the truth of the human rights abuses happening in North Korea. I also look forward to hopefully seeing their report when they feel ready to put it together. And just FYI, there will never be a day when you or anyone gets to tell me when it is the "right time" to discuss such an important topic here or anywhere else. There was absolutely nothing wrong with my original comment and I will continue to comment here as I see fit.

I have no doubt you will continue your selfish comments.

Caring about human rights is not selfish, and the people at Vanguard whose stories reflect that would more than likely agree.

How is it that you state what you say that is on your mind but anyone that has anything to say against you is in some sort of entourage?

And you are right that it is not wrong to fight for human rights. But you're not just fighting for human rights as much as you are trying to be in the limelight. Look at me I care. Look at me I see more here than meets the eye. Look at me I have more care for other people I've never met than the people that the camera is focused on.

Because if Civil rights was really all you cared about and you did not care to have any of that spotlight then you would be doing things other than making crass comments on welcome home threads/videos.

You would actually doing something positive to help those in the prison instead of hijacking people's thanks you and appreciation.

I just don't buy that you are who you say you are because you don't show it. You just say it in a blunt matter and then get annoyed when the favor is returned about your behavior.

PS--grudge for what? And it might be hard to swallow but you're not better than other people because you are thinking of prisoners that are not free.

I often wonder if you are ever pleased or do you just have a thorn in your paw waiting for a mouse to pull it out so you can have some sort of resemblance of joy that you not only have but share.

Jan stated her piece, sk8bs55 stated it for everyone else, let it go and do not drag out a long argument about nothing, especially on a thread like this. You have to learn when to let things go... this is one of those times. Let it go.

Recommending is a way to show your approval of a comment without having to use words. Nothing cowardly about it. But if you insist it is, then every time you recommend something, you're an even greater coward for hiding behind a hypocritical statement.

Line... sand... drawn... do not cross... retract claws. If nothing else take it personal messages between each other... for crying out loud...

Same here. I had no idea they were allowed letters, but I am so glad that others were more on top of the information than I was. Laura and Euna were in my thoughts and prayers every day, so I guess I could say I was sending them "mental letters" the entire time.

Welcome home ladies. We look forward to hearing more from you when you're rested and ready. :)

what courage...it was arrogant, ignorance that put them in that situation...it is a great thing that they are home safe....but this is not about their courage it is about their stupidity.....

this got me too ... and good.