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Rodman sings happy birthday to North Korean leader

57 Comments
By ERIC TALMADGE

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57 Comments
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"Rodman has been slammed for not using his influence with Kim to help free Kenneth Bae, an American missionary in poor health who is being confined in the North for “anti-state” crimes."

This charge against Rodman is groundless - he has zero influence with the supreme leader, the supreme leader is just using him.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The thing about Rodman in North Korea is the North Koreans can use him to demonstrate their humility and humanity without having to ask the US state department. Rodman is completely safe while in the country and is treated like a superstar to boot. Nothing here but a basketball game and a publicity stunt.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Any chance his American citizenship can be revoked while he's there? I'm sure the Worm would enjoy the extended time with his ol' buddy - at least until he becomes expendable.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Rodman's unintelligible rant on CNN shows how much of a nutjob he really is. The other players around him were essentially dumbfounded and looked very uncomfortable.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

It seems that he loves NKorea and probably might immigrate from America.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

There has been widespread speculation that the real reason for Rodman's visit is to teach Kim how to slam dunk in the nude. The real question is whether he will yell "HOT DOG!" in Korean while doing so.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Dennis Rodman sang “Happy Birthday” to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before leading a squad

A firing squad?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Clown.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

The North Koreans are paying Rodman huge sums of money in order to have him proclaim the humanity and greatness of the little boy leader from North Korea. If the U.S. is upset about it, they could offer him more money to switch sides, and therefore, promote the humanity and greatness of America's little boy leader.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

The U.S. could take out the North Koreans in one week, if they wanted to.

Kind of like how they took out Iraq in a week?

...and don't forget, Iraq didn't have nuclear weapons.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@stranger can't launch something if its destroyed before it launches now can you?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Don't hate the PLAYER HATE the GAME in this case Politics. The word poli means many, tics are blood suckers so put it all together you have many politicians who are blood suckers may it be Dennis himself or the politicians!! Its all a game. As I said don't hate the player hate the game and this game is older than baseball!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Enough of this rodman stuff please...

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I believe in "Keep friends close and keep enemy closer" while I am all for a freedom of speech for Rodman.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The whole thing is strange and just getting stranger....

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Using Rodman as a diplomat is so crazy that it might just work.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I wonder how much he is getting paid for this.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The U.S. could take out the North Koreans in one week,

Then why General Douglas MacArthur was stopped to do so by President Truman? That's the reason the Korean Penn has been split the way it is today.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Both of these men need to have their mental balance sheet overhauled.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Rodman sings happy birthday to North Korean leader

Surprised he didn't dress like Marilyn Monroe when he sand it.....

5 ( +8 / -3 )

@ex Japan visitor

I thought, the topic was about Rodman and him going to North Korea?

@jean

I agree. I couldn't understand a word he was saying in that interview with Cuomo. Cuomo was calm during the whole interview and Rodman was just....being his typical weird self. Rodman was always a strange cookie, even back in the days when he was hanging out with Madonna, the man loves and craves attention, now that he's become irrelevant, this puts him on the press front pages at least for now, once Kim is bored of him and he's not invited back to that country what's he going to do next? The whole thing about about money, nothing more. I did however, take offense when Rodman said to Cuomo (about Bae) "do you know what he did?" He yelled and went nuts if the man was a murderer and needed to be hung, drawn and quartered. Never liked Rodman then and even more so now! Hope he doesn't come back.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Rodman is a joke. The media need to stop giving him airtime. Lets see how long he is welcome in NK when he is not getting on then on the news anymore. Whether he knows it or not he is being used. He probably doesn't mind all hte attention he is getting now good or bad.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Ha haaaa!

Those guys are great together!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I asked the world on a website about what they thought about Denis Rodman. Most of the responses I got were from Americans. They hate what he is doing, and are calling him a traitor to the United States.

Is being a friend of a nuclear armed murderer legal? I think not. I still don't understand why the U.S government hasn't thrown him in jail on returning him to the U.S.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

The North Korean leadership is evil, but evil in a stupid way. They feed off and starve and kill their own people. We all see that. But what amazes me is the negative reaction to ex-japan visitor's post. Its not like North Korea has launched any wars in the Middle East lately, is it? Seems like some people approve of evil so long as its done in a clever way that benefits them and to hell with innocent people elsewhere.

Anyway, Rodman. My problem with him is that all he is doing is making Kim Frog look good in North Korea, furthering his regime. Rodman is a fool and a clown. I don't think he has half a clue what he is doing or how he is being used as a propaganda tool by Kim, emphasis on the word "tool".

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I would not be surprised if Rodman is being used as a breeder.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I think we need more people like Rodman in the world. It's obvious that we're getting nowhere with our current hard lines. Meanwhile a whole people are starving.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@stranger can't launch something if its destroyed before it launches now can you?

That was the justification in invading Iraq - to get the WMDs before Saddam could use them. Yes, all those non-existent WMDs.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

geeez,, soo many thumbs down for just telling the truth

That depends, if YOU interpret as truthful, some might call it garrulous talking.

I think we need more people like Rodman in the world. It's obvious that we're getting nowhere with our current hard lines. Meanwhile a whole people are starving.

Jeeez, the absolute last thing we need are more people like Rodman, heavens NO! By the way, how is Rodman handling the political and internal affairs of NK? How is he mending relations between US and SK?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

By the way, how is Rodman handling the political and internal affairs of NK? How is he mending relations between US and SK?

At a point where relations are literally non-existent between the two countries, he is creating something. It may not be much, but you know what they say about the journey of a thousand miles.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

@bass4funk

Rodman is showing friendship and goodwill which is how people come together. Don't forget that people are people. We all basically want the same things in life - to be happy, to be safe, and to provide for our families.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

But creating exactly WHAT? He is creating entertainment purely for Kim, my serious question is, how is this bizarre relationship benefiting the entire country as a whole? How is it establishing a relationship with Washington and Seoul? The only person that is truly getting ANY kind of benefit is Kim.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Say what you want about Rodman (most of it is probably true) but the man was hell of a basketball player. The Bulls never would have been what they were without "the worm".

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

He is not representing US government. Geez. Crazy. NK loves this as you are reacting too much on this. Just ignore and move on.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This is humanitarian aid and relationship building through goodwill, skill and interactive entertainment. It might be the perfect counterpoint note placed in the political concert of cold words and saber rattling. And it might lead to better relations or prevent bad events, though the latter would be difficult to tell.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Another milestone was reached when Rodman realized more people care (or maybe even know) who he is in North Korea than in the United States.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

How does this man get through airport metal detectors with all the hardware in his face?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Rodman isn't taking his medication on time and he sound like some crackhead.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

How do you think good relationships are made? Goodwill and friendship maybe??? Cause as it is now, too many people seem happy to continue looking at each other as the enemy and pound their chests. Nothing is happening as is.

We, ex-pats, should know all to well the important role we play in building relationships and keeping peace. Many people never meet people from other countries. I wouldn't doubt that until now, most of those north koreans have never met an American. They were probably taught that Americans are the enemy. But now, they have met several Americans and played ball! I bet they laughed and high-fived each other, too. Wow!

You can't expect any meaningful change or exchange until people interact with one another in a positive way.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I'm sure they laughed and high-fived right on cue, that is, if they valued their lives and the lives of their families. North Korea is full of starving, freezing people, led (read: oppressed) by a backwards-arse dude who tells people the sun is his father and the moon is his mother. People are literally eating each other and a tye-dyed fool playing basketball is supposed to make me happy? Sorry, bro, but this dude cannot abide that. The only reason North Korea is allowed to continue it's horrific existence is protection from China, whose human rights record isn't much better.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

A bit naive to think that the players didn't enjoy the game, don't you think? And please don't misunderstand me. I am not defending the way the north korean government has treated its own people. But I sure can't find myself defending the U.S. as being innocent in contributing to this situation. If you cannot see the existence of something better through human exchange, then why bother even commenting?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Really? Maybe the American players had fun, but the North Koreans who were forced to be there might have had a different experience.

Who said anything about the US?

There is no "human exchange" here (besides the human trafficking which is rampant in North Korea...). This is an example of two rich, powerful people furthering their own agendas on the backs of the suffering masses.

Why bother commenting? So maybe, just maybe, some thick-headed people will wise up and see this dog and pony show for what it really is. North Korean needs food. Clean water. Medicine. Energy. Mechanized agriculture. Not Space Jam.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

And maybe we could get North Korea clean water, medicine, energy, etc. if we showed a little more positive attitude towards working together. Thick-headed is exactly why we have made no progress, bro.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I asked the world on a website about what they thought about Denis Rodman.

What's the URL of that website? I'd love to ask the world about a lot of things.

This is all so surreal, it is like the plotline for a bad movie.

2 ( +1 / -0 )

I think the Rod is confused, perhaps got some Asian fever. He doesnt understand the meaning of the bow in Asian culture. In Japan, when one bows to another, he assumes a subordinate position and the other individual becomes elevated, usually taking on the role of some father like figure. Something possibly copied from nature, as you can see it allot, for example many animals will roll over and show submission to the superior ranking animal. Its not so much a sign of respect, its a show of submission. Its why I never do it anymore.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

he sure is getting the first class treatment from NK

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A good cure for the Rods NK Asian fever would be to take up residence in NK like Jenkins did. Jenkins was once a fan of NK, until he seen it for what it is, now he wants nothing to do with it.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Moron. you can just imagine what L'il Kim and the NK ruling clique think of this pierced, tattooed and semi-coherent idiot. He stands for everything they profess to hate.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I dont think its just unique to Korea, its the same throughout Asia. many visitors think they are the "special" one, showered with praises and nice gifts, unknowingly falling victim to the oldest trick in the Asia culture tool chest of tricks..manipulation. Ive experienced it allot and seen others fall for it. Its not a good or bad thing, its just a cultural difference that is very effective in getting what one wants. Its not something thats easily spoken about, due to cultural misunderstandings, but lets not kid ourselves that is unique to NK.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Cancel his return ticket and passport and see how he enjoys actually living in that wonderful place. Especially after he becomes useless as a propaganda fool for the Kim clan.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

So will Rodman be going back to the States? He certainly is enjoying his new 'vacation' home.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Its a traveling freak show!!!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Relax everyone. He is not representing the US government.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

"Its a traveling freak show." Now add this story . "(CNN) -- Charles Smith insisted Sunday (i.e. 1/12/14) that the former NBA players who went to North Korea for a basketball diplomacy trip, led by Dennis Rodman, weren't paid by the repressive regime." Hilarious, and well deserved. Has-beens on a crazy man's team and no paycheck. Cough up the money, Rodman. Your team members don't have any money. They spent their fortunes on "other priorities," and everyone knows what they were.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Basketball diplomacy!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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