How does this happen? Why on earth did this guy have to be in N. Korea?

[Anonymous]

^^ in this type of situation

[Anonymous]

How does this happen? These people are spies. When caught, they have an "illness" and must return home... Like yesterday.

The "Americans" hiking along the border with Iran were members of Massod.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why does the USA issue passports for people to go to these countries?

Do you mean Visa's? Passports allow you to travel internationally, but visa's are required for certain countries.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:poor guy.

no american citizen should be allowed to travel to north korea, or most muslim countries either.

We should shut the access to these countries like NOrth Korean, Pakistan, SA, Yemen.

This is an issue of personal responsibility. The US State Department has always advised Americans to avoid traveling to North Korea. Why on earth do these people put themselves in these situations?

North Korea is run by a megalomaniac. There is no telling what that man will do from one day to the next. You are expecting that if someone behaves well, they will be treated well. How many people has this man murdered in cold blood, for no good reason?

Personal responsibility only counts in countries where justice has a fair shake. In North Korea, it decidedly does not.

Our government should be coming down hard and fast on North Korea. This kid MUST come home.

Still no reason to have gone there in the first place. It's not like he's of Korean origin and trying to visit family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please let's just leave the guy there. No more rescuing of these idiots.

The record is pretty clear that contrary to other posters beliefs, we really don't send in the "Delta Force" to rescue any of those held overseas.

Sorry to his parents, but no single American is worth going to war over or risk losing high valued assets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:poor guy.

no american citizen should be allowed to travel to north korea, or most muslim countries either.

We should shut the access to these countries like NOrth Korean, Pakistan, SA, Yemen.

This is an issue of personal responsibility. The US State Department has always advised Americans to avoid traveling to North Korea. Why on earth do these people put themselves in these situations?

North Korea is run by a megalomaniac. There is no telling what that man will do from one day to the next. You are expecting that if someone behaves well, they will be treated well. How many people has this man murdered in cold blood, for no good reason?

Personal responsibility only counts in countries where justice has a fair shake. In North Korea, it decidedly does not.

Our government should be coming down hard and fast on North Korea. This kid MUST come home.

Still no reason to have gone there in the first place. It's not like he's of Korean origin and trying to visit family.

+1. Anyone not living under a rock knows North Korea is a dangerous place to visit. There is no excuse for this guys behavior, it was a pathetic stupid stunt.

We have some real concerns with North Korea right now with the war exercises and the increased tension. Sorry but I don't think we can waste a single bit of political capital trying to get this "kid" out right now. He should have known better and we have much bigger issues to address with them.

[Anonymous]

I went to a talk hosted by an escapee North Korean lnce. He likened it to living in a huge cult where all aspects of life is strictly controlled. Life's can be made or broken depending on the perception of how devoted you are to the dear leader. This kid was insane to think he could get away with taking away a picture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many people in our country truly do not understand freedom. They really don’t get the idea that in other countries, people are not free. They are not free to speak their minds. They are not free to worship as they wish. They are not free to write what they want. And, punishment for breaking ANY law is severe. Yes, they are told about how people are treated in some of these countries ruled by tyrants, but they think because they are Americans, their freedom follows them.

I have my doubts that this student did what he is accused of. His crime was being an American.

He didn't deny it, and the showed video. He will get out at age 40 and write a book.

I thought his remorse was BS. No tears or real crying.

I don't know, would you feel actual true remorse for this type of thing? If you were telling them that your government put you up to it, that some church friend offered to pay you for doing it? Of course his remorse was BS. I'd be in tears about 15 years of hard labor in N. Korea, sure. And in tears about my own massive stupidity. But I don't think I could muster up actual real remorse while reading that statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think many people in our country truly do not understand freedom. They really don’t get the idea that in other countries, people are not free. They are not free to speak their minds. They are not free to worship as they wish. They are not free to write what they want. And, punishment for breaking ANY law is severe. Yes, they are told about how people are treated in some of these countries ruled by tyrants, but they think because they are Americans, their freedom follows them.

I have my doubts that this student did what he is accused of. His crime was being an American.

He didn't deny it, and the showed video. He will get out at age 40 and write a book.

I thought his remorse was BS. No tears or real crying.

Have you read the reports of what they'll do to him? Starvation, beatings, working outside in -15 degree weather conditions, random killings, no medial/dental care, etc. Makes water boarding sound like a game. I can' imagine why anyone would travel to North Korea. Ever.

Most die or shortly after they get out. Unless a miracle happens his life is over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:poor guy.

no american citizen should be allowed to travel to north korea, or most muslim countries either.

We should shut the access to these countries like NOrth Korean, Pakistan, SA, Yemen.

This is an issue of personal responsibility. The US State Department has always advised Americans to avoid traveling to North Korea. Why on earth do these people put themselves in these situations?

North Korea is run by a megalomaniac. There is no telling what that man will do from one day to the next. You are expecting that if someone behaves well, they will be treated well. How many people has this man murdered in cold blood, for no good reason?

Personal responsibility only counts in countries where justice has a fair shake. In North Korea, it decidedly does not.

Our government should be coming down hard and fast on North Korea. This kid MUST come home.

Still no reason to have gone there in the first place. It's not like he's of Korean origin and trying to visit family.

That does not matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please let's just leave the guy there. No more rescuing of these idiots.

The record is pretty clear that contrary to other posters beliefs, we really don't send in the "Delta Force" to rescue any of those held overseas.

Sorry to his parents, but no single American is worth going to war over or risk losing high valued assets.

Such compassionate liberalism. Y'all are showing your true colors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please let's just leave the guy there. No more rescuing of these idiots.

The record is pretty clear that contrary to other posters beliefs, we really don't send in the "Delta Force" to rescue any of those held overseas.

Sorry to his parents, but no single American is worth going to war over or risk losing high valued assets.

Such compassionate liberalism. Y'all are showing your true colors

I agree with the first pp. Do we really want to spend millions getting him out or risking the lives of serivce members?

A good friend recently went to Iran for fun. She said that if anything happened, she'd just run to the Canadian embassy. Her ignorance was astounding. There are real people out there risking their lives for these idiots when they get in trouble.

[Anonymous]

Wow ... I know DCUM is full of bitches, but this is a new low. I can't imagine what the kid's parents are going through. My mom was a saint and my brothers did a lot of dumb things. They were lucky to never end up in jail or in some crazy trouble like this.

Knock on wood, I have the most perfect daughter anyone would want...24, Ivy League, job, gorgeous, nice, etc. But, if anything ever happened to her, I would do ANYTHING to help. You all need HEART. Go to church bitches!

[Anonymous]

I honestly can't muster one iota of sympathy for this guy. Save your dumbass pranks for Amsterdam not North freakin Korea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The North Koreans claim he stole a propaganda poster. Do we really believe everything they say? His "admission" was clearly obtained under duress. He is apparently a very nice kid.

I agree, and he appeared to be under the influence of something as they marched him down the hallways. I think the US should forbid anyone from going to North Korea.