Free at last

Good news is hard to find these days, so let’s revel in it today. Jailed American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee came home today into the eager arms of their families after more than four months imprisoned in North Korea. We can get into the who did what when and how later. Right now, just feel this love.

It’s OK, don’t be ashamed to cry; it’s the good kind of cry. I should have told you to have Kleenex ready beforehand. Afterward, Laura, whose sister is the American television journalist Lisa Ling, spoke to the media. This time I will warn you; Kleenex, people.

What an amazing turnaround for the two women who in June were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor in a North Korea prison camp for allegedly straying across the border into the country while working on a report for Current TV. Since their capture four and a half months ago their families have kept up a tireless campaign to have them released.

You see the thing is, diplomacy works. Yesterday former Pres. Bill Clinton made a surprise trip to North Korea to secure the release of jailed journalists and, well, it worked. Of course, Bill didn’t act alone. He went with the implicit blessing and careful planning of Pres. Obama, Sec. Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore and the families of the imprisoned women. But it was good old Bill who came, saw, negotiated and less than 20 hours later flew home with the now pardoned and free journalists in tow. Admit it, you miss the hell out of Bill.

The only thing that pisses me off about this story? How some have already made this a “Bill Overshadows Hillary!” story. Talk about your news judgment fail. This is a “Thank God These Women Are Home Safely” story, period. OK, it’s also kind of a “Bill Clinton Is Still the Man” story. But I don’t think anyone – even the wingnuttiest of wingnutty Hillary haters – can honestly believe that Hillary is sitting by herself seething at this moment. She is overjoyed, as are we all. Welcome home, ladies. And thanks, Bubba.