http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25058345

Another US citizen, Kenneth Bae, has been detained since November 2012.

I have not heard about this before.

It seems, if I understand it right, the North Koreans are snatching any old veterans that they can.

Maybe Kim Jong Un finally got tired of Dennis Rodman.

That little brat needs a spanking, maybe Dennis Rodman could do the world a favor and take care of that.

Unfortnately Rodman needs a spanking too. Better yet, someone should challenge both of them to put a billiard ball in their mouths. (don't try it folks)

I don't believe that Bae is a veteran. He was proselytizing Christianity. Not a good idea unless you want to end up a martyr.

Merrill Newman, on the other hand, was a vet who served in Korea during the 'conflict' in the '50's. He was there on vacation, not unlike D-Day vets who visit Normandy. He was plucked from his plane right before he was supposed to leave. This is very disturbing.

The North Korean government - the Kims - are thugs. They starve their people and throw those who try to escape the country into prison. Rodman is a clown.

I think he was detained because of his past military service. The war on the Korean peninsula never really ended and North Korea is still the enemy. They are a dangerous and repressive regime and have not forgotten the Korean War and it's niave for anybody to think otherwise. I think it's unwise for veterans of Korean War to visit North Korea given that the war never really ended there and that North Korea is still the enemy. Honestly, I can't imagine why anybody would ever want to visit a place like North Korea, especially if you had a fought in a war there.

I think I can understand it. Different people process things in different ways.

I served during Vietnam and never went there. It's on my bucket list. The cuisine, the culture, the American experience there. The history.

There have been many things on the news here lately about North Korea and China but I have not heard them mention these cases here at all. Maybe I have I just missed it but I would have thought these cases would be major news. Anyhow I think its a waste of time complaining to North Korea. Pressure has to be put on China I think. They seem to be the only ones really supporting this monstrous North Korean regime and China are the only ones they are likely to listen to, it seems me. Or Russia perhaps.
I hate not being able to see any solution to things like this.

"I hate not being able to see any solution to things like this."

You are surely aware of the absence of another person who used the word "hate" frequently?

Well I hope the North Koreans don't starve, torture or deny this vet his meds. It takes a special kind of coward to do such things to an old man but I wouldn't put it past the North Koreans and their "dear leader" that Dennis Rodman is "friends" with. Dennis Rodman is an incredibly niave idiot trying to be "friends" with a tyrant, especially as young and inexperienced the one is in North Korea who seems to think he has something to prove given his age and inexperience. Hopefully, the US government can do something to get this man set free and back home to the states.

Mahatma Gandhi once wrote a "friendly" letter to Hitler. Some people sincerely believe that showing love to even the worst people can change the world, and Gandhi did change the world- he just didn't manage to end WWII. Maybe Rodman is trying to be like Gandhi, and maybe he's genuinely fleeced. I don't know which.

Talk softly and carry a big stick.

The old fellows comming home for Christmas

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25274840

I'll believe it when they get off the planes and step onto the tarmac. Until then, it's empty words that can be reversed.

The bottom line is that this country is perceived as weak. For generations this country has had nothing but criminals, clowns and lap dogs for our so called "leaders".

When people see you as weak they take liberties.

Look at the dogs breakfast that's been made of our negotiations with Iran.
Does anyone really believe that they've given up their weapons program?
Do they fear ANYTHING we might do?
Or are they laughing their asses off at our naivety?

We need a hero in this country. Someone who will bring back the concept of American pride.

Does anyone remember when we we're proud to be Americans for the RIGHT reasons? I do.

I remember a time when little ****ant countries like North Korea and Iran, and all the other rats that are gnashing their teeth at us, would never even think of messing with us.

Now we're an international joke. Like all good jokes we're being laughed at, and we deserve it.

He's already left North Korea and is in Beijing.

Newman was met by U.S. embassy staff in Beijing. He is currently on a United Airlines flight flying over the Pacific and is expected to land in San Francisco at 11:59 a.m. ET, KTVU.com reported.

http://www.frequency.com/video/newman-03......-/5-2499

Good. Where's Bae?