I'm back, maybe real news is too

I have been away for the last week, attending a wedding in New Hampshire. I hope that my break from the news has given me the relief I need. Maybe now I won't be so cynical...not likely. In an update from the most important story of the year, Michael Jackson's autopsy results are completed, but have been put on hold. Thank God they are on hold, if they had been released, they would have trumped the death of Eunice Kennedy Shriver as the headline this morning. It will be interesting to see how long they talk about her, maybe they'll discover a controversy. This is my new system for determining an individuals' worth: if they are still talking about you a week after your death, you were important. If they are still talking about you a month after your death, you are the second coming of Christ, or Michael Jackson.

Jokes aside, to their credit, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News all made Kennedy Shriver's death their headline. Rightfully so, she worked tirelessly for the disabled and even founded the Special Olympics. Although her name clearly plays a significant role in the heightened importance of this story, it is refreshing to see respect paid to an individual who committed their life to those less fortunate, treating them with the kindness and respect that they deserve.

During my vacation and subsequent hiatus from writing, I missed out on a very important news story. Former President Bill Clinton's surprise visit to North Korea shocked the world and resulted in the release of imprisoned journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling. I am certain this was a carefully crafted operation in which Clinton would not have participated unless he had assurance that the mission would be successful. Nevertheless, President Clinton's trip to North Korea highlights the importance of diplomacy and the power of reputation. Throughout his two terms, Clinton was able to maintain a working relationship with North Korean leaders. Now, nearly ten years after he left office, his reputation and relationships were used to secure the freedom of two imprisoned Americans. Additionally, I find it highly unlikely that this trip was solely humanitarian. The United States and North Korea are playing a game of poker in which North Korea had left the table. It certainly seems that they are back and just went all in, placing their two largest chips in the pot. Euna Lee and Laura Ling were the only realistic bargaining chips that the North Koreans possessed. It is difficult to believe that Kim Jong Il and his advisers would give up imprisoned Americans out of the kindness in their hearts. I'll pay close attention in the following weeks, but I would venture to guess that North Korea will be back negotiating the terms of their nuclear program in the near future.

Continuing on that topic, I have never understood the United States' position on nuclear weapons and nuclear proliferation. I know that we act as the world police and it is very clear that nuclear weapons are one of the greatest threats to the welfare of the human race. However, we have little ground to stand on, when after all, we are the only country to ever use nuclear weapons in combat. We killed nearly 100,000 Japanese civilians in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I'm not going to debate whether or not it was the right tactical move, because the attacks also ended World War II and saved a countless number of American lives. However, we prevent countries, including North Korea and Iran, from developing nuclear weapons on the basis that they are a threat to international security. Again, we are the only country to ever use a bomb in combat, and along with Russia, we still maintain the largest stockpile of nuclear bombs in the world. I don't want North Korea or Iran to have nuclear weapons anymore than anyone else. In fact, I'd prefer that nuclear weapons didn't exist, but it is pretty hypocritical to tell a country that they aren't allowed to develop nuclear weapons when we have a mountain of them sitting at home.

On a much lighter and happier note, I wish all the best to my close friends who were married last weekend, because that's good News to Me.