On Current TV | August 05, 2009 | Comment on this video (50)

Al Gore on Laura and Euna's Return

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Al Gore addresses the press after welcoming home two journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were freed from imprisonment North Korea.

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50 comments // Al Gore on Laura and Euna's Return // Video

  • S3th
    • 0
      S3th  

    • I guess the staff, or whoever decided to suppress this story on Current, doesn't believe the members here deserve to know why they censored us.

      Is that accurate CURRENT STAFFERS?

    • 2 years ago
  • BigME413
    • 0
      BigME413  

    • I have also been actively watching and working for Euna and Laura's release, and I would like to know if Current is going to address their censorship of stories regarding their imprisonment throughout the ordeal. Without a single word of explanation as to why, they pursued an active campaign of restricting the information shared by users on their site. To me this is unacceptable. I understand that the finer points of diplomacy may have called for that (and it's also the same policy that the State Department uses), but when this case is far different than others. It was no secret they were detained-- the story was published on all kinds of newspapers and other outlets around the world. So is Current going to address this issue or just pretend it didn't happen, assuming their legitimacy is still intact?

    • 2 years ago
  • bitchpleez
  • lomographic
  • AndrewH13
    • 0
      AndrewH13  

    • I can understand why we weren't told. This is a sensitive situation. Are we really so media obsessed that we must know everything about everything at all times, always?

      Welcome home girls. Glad to have you back.

      Oh, and thanks Al. You may not be my president, but at least you're my co-founder. haha.

    • 2 years ago
  • metalcookiesxy70
    • 0
      metalcookiesxy70  

    • So.....Current Staff, aren't you going to explain why have the stories have indeed been suppressed, up until now?

      I just want an explanation..from the Staff..or whoever told you to do so...

      I'm sure a lot of users, including I, do want to know.

      I know some do not care, but still I'm not holding you acount for anything, i just want an explanation from you, or from the higher authority who told you to do so....

    • 2 years ago
  • S3th
    • 0
      S3th  

    • Anyone of the Current Staff going to address the reasons behind suppressing the updated stories members of Current tried to post here about Laura and Euna's predicament?

    • 2 years ago
  • Prijedor
  • hobojohn
  • bibabiba
  • islek
  • julierejman
    • 0
      julierejman  

    • Dear Laura and Euna,
      As a Mother of three young children, there hasn't been a day that I haven't thought of you in North Korea. I have been so worried about you both, your husbands, your families, and your beautiful girl, Euna. I recently adopted a child from China, and although I was safe and staying in a nice hotel, when we had visa problems and I had to stay longer in China by myself with a sick child, I felt trapped and NEVER happier to be home and to be from America. I think I thought of you a thousand times during that trip.
      I am going to mail you a copy of the Washington Post today. The front page picture is one of happiness and great joy. How often does that happen on the front page of a major newspaper??? Sending HUGE hugs, lots of wishes for big parties and good food, and great thanks to Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and Barack Obama. I am so proud of our country and of you both for your strength.
      Julie Rejman
      Edgewater, Maryland

    • 2 years ago
  • simha
    • 0
      simha  

    • Al Gore is lucky to have a friend like Bill who could do the job very well.The two ladies are too lucky to have come back. I wish Bill Clinton had the presidency longer,world would have been much better.I hope God is with them all the time.

    • 2 years ago
  • bishopobispo
    • 0
      bishopobispo  
    • simha:

      Word on the Internets is that the U.S. offered to send Al Gore but N. Korea said he wasn't 'important' enough. Hence Clinton.

      I in no way doubt that Al Gore would have been the first on a plane to see that Ling and Lee were brought back home safely.

    • 2 years ago
  • anglcazn
    • 0
      anglcazn  
    • simha:

      That is actually true. Right when he found out that they were imprisoned in North Korea, he scheduled a flight to North Korea within a week. I don't know what happened afterward.

    • 2 years ago
  • ras_menelik
  • Nephwrack
    • 0
      Nephwrack  

    • @ Queenoftheclick... to quote you,

      "Laura Ling knew of North Korea's policies because her sister Lisa, another reporter visited there three years ago."

      so no, current and Al Gore cant be held responsible for Laura and Euna's imprisonment.

      i'm sure they knew exactly what they were doing, but that dosent change the fact that they were snatched by a rogue dictatorship. your logic in blaming Al Gore is flawed, at best.

    • 2 years ago
  • MoonLoon
    • 0
      MoonLoon  
    • Nephwrack:

      Neph, to provide our members with some perspective. Assuming that the ladies were kidnapped from S. Korea. In Nigeria,due to the hazards of working here. Companies purchase "kidnap insurance" and employ security advisors. The employers are also completely responsible for the security of their employees when working in dangerous areas. Numerous lawsuits have been won by kidnap victims for the failure of their companies to provide adequate security. Off course one of the requirements of getting a settlement is "silence". If these ladies were employees of Current, rather than freelancers, or contractors, then Current will be held responsible for any lack of security procedures. Lawyers will circle, while licking their chops.

    • 2 years ago
  • queenoftheclick
    • 0
      queenoftheclick  

    • Since these women went to that area for Current TV isn't the company and Al Gore responsible for sending them?

      Laura Ling knew of North Korea's policies because her sister Lisa, another reporter visited there three years ago.

    • 2 years ago
  • bishopobispo
    • 0
      bishopobispo  
    • queenoftheclick:

      From what I've heard and read of the story, it is in no way proven that the journalists were inside of N. Korea when they were captured.

      They may have been just outside of the border within Chinese territory, fine. But I wouldn't put it past the DPRK to abduct to women wielding a microphone and camera equipment who where anywhere close to their country.

      What saddens me is that I've been watching right leaning conservative outlets to hear what their viewpoints are on the subject and they completely disregard this fact - two Americans were reunited with their families and our govt. stepped in and stood up for its citizens.

      They go on to say, 'What were they doing in N. Korea... they should pay the consequences b/c they were so idiotic to be in N. Korea anyway', when even the issue of where they were in the first place has not been answered.

      Were they within N. Korea's borders or were they not? That is a critical question we must answer before this convo continues.

      And P.S. Queen, again, thanks for that forward on the N. Korea documentaries. As someone living in S. Korea right now it was quality to be able to compare the people I live among now with their brothers and sisters not too far away. Hat's off.

    • 2 years ago
  • anglcazn
    • 0
      anglcazn  
    • queenoftheclick:

      Gotta make you wonder. What would they say if it were two white males that were imprisoned in North Korea? Would they start saying that North Korea is an evil country for abducting our US citizens? Probably :/

    • 2 years ago
  • MoonLoon
  • el3azzi
    • 0
      el3azzi  

    • I am wondering what was happen if Mr. Gore was won the presidential election of 2000. I am sure that the world would be better at the moment and the bad experience lived from this journalist have never been happened.

    • 2 years ago
  • yesindeed
  • blueeyedbull
    • 0
      blueeyedbull  

    • These women are free because of the back door dealing of Al, Bill, Hillary and Obama. Thanks Al Gore. You never take credit, but you were a big part of these women's release.

    • 2 years ago
  • telcod
    • 0
      telcod  

    • Let's see now, that's Al Gore. The former tobacco growers favorite son whose sister died of lung cancer. And I watched an "Inconvenient Truth" 4 times in one day as a substitute teacher last year. He can suck your d--k. This pansy, wouldn't even fight for the presidency he actually won. So what is his pitch now? He let that scum bag Bush rape the country and what the F---K?

      You all deserve this crap.

    • 2 years ago
  • anglcazn
  • MoonLoon
  • keanu101
  • ibrake4rappers13
  • stapert
  • lutch
  • macgarys1
  • bishopobispo
    • 0
      bishopobispo  
    • ibrake4rappers13:

      Several links posted from Current members regarding this issue were taken down by the staff of this website (assumedly) .

      Am I saying I think they're in the wrong for doing so? Short answer: No. Current stepped up to the plate by handling this issue to achieve the best result - LIng and Lee being freed.

      I don't know Current's motivation for 'covering' the issue as they did but everyone I PM'd here on this site seemed to share this sentiment:

      Bring 'em home.

      Glad to see them Stateside once again.

    • 2 years ago
  • asherp
    • 0
      asherp  
    • ibrake4rappers13:

      I had links removed. I know why.

      The families and the station were advised by both lawyers and negotiators to be as low-key as possible, to avoid making Laura and Euna any higher-value as hostages than they already were.

      They couldn't say that, of course, because that would be calling their own bluff.

    • 2 years ago
  • metalcookiesxy70
  • stardate
    • 0
      stardate  

    • this must have been hell for you gals. I'm so happy that it's over. Kudos to everyone who made this happen including the Swedes who were so helpful from the beginning

    • 2 years ago
  • futuregen
    • 0
      futuregen  

    • Bob Marley - No Woman No Cry

      Lyrics:

      Oh-oh-oh-ohhhh

      No woman, no cry
      No woman, no cry
      No woman, no cry
      No woman, no cry

      Say, Say,
      Say, I remember when we used to sit
      In a government yard in Trenchtown
      Ob-ob-Observing the hypocrites
      As they would mingle with the good people we meet
      Good friends we have
      Oh, good friends we have lost
      Along the way
      In this great future,
      You can't forget your past
      So dry your tears, I say

      No woman no cry
      No woman no cry
      Little darling, don't shed no tears
      No woman no cry

      Said I remember when we use to sit
      In the government yard in Trenchtown
      And then Georgie would make the fire lights
      while the log wood burnin through the night
      Then we would cook cornmeal porridge
      Of which I'll share with you
      My feet is my only carriage
      And so I've got to push on through,
      Oh, while I'm gone

      Everything 's gonna be all right
      Everything 's gonna be all right

      No woman no cry
      No woman no cry

      Woman and sister
      Don't shed no tears
      No woman no cry

    • 2 years ago
  • futuregen
    • 0
      futuregen  

    • So good to have you back. Thanks to all who brought you home. Healing light energy being sent to both of you Laura and Euna.

      LYRICS TO LAY DOWN (CANDLES IN THE RAIN)
      CHORUS by Melanie
      lay down lay down, let it all down
      let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
      lay down lay down, let it all down
      let your white birds smile up at the ones who stand and frown
      we were so close, there was no room
      we bled inside each others wounds
      we had caught the same disease
      and we all sang songs of peace
      CHORUS
      so raise the candles high cause if you
      don't we could stay black against the night
      oh raise them higher again and if you
      do we could stay dry against the rain
      CHORUS
      we were so close there was no room
      we bled inside each others wounds
      we had caught the same disease
      and we all sang songs of peace
      some came to sing, some came to pray
      some came to keep the dark away
      so raise the candles high
      cause if you don't we could stay
      black against the sky
      oh oh raise them higher again
      and if you do we could stay dry against the rain
      CHORUS

    • 2 years ago
  • idealist
    • 0
      idealist  

    • Call me misinformed but I didn't find out til yesterday the al was even affiliated with current, but it makes me even prouder of this site! And welcome home girls!!

    • 2 years ago
  • queenoftheclick
  • Found_Avenue
  • trut
  • queenoftheclick
  • msilton
    • 0
      msilton  
    • queenoftheclick:

      there are a few documentaries (some amateur) on youtube about north korea's totalitarian government that keeps its people living in poverty while brainwashing them into believing that their leaders are of divine right and that any hardships they endure are caused by a history of u.s. oppression. judging from current journalists' habit of finding revealing stories that people care about, im left to assume they were after something along those lines. one i particularly liked was "welcome to north korea."

    • 2 years ago
  • bishopobispo
  • sweens
  • artemis6
  • trelk
  • lutch
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