Shall we begin a new thread and contest to see how much money Bill Clinton has to pay Kim Jong-il for Laura and Euna's "hotel expenses"? This is so fun!

My prediction for Laura and Euna's release was August 10, a prophetic statement that I mentioned even before this June 25 post.

Bill Clinton will arrive in Pyongyang on August 5 to finalize negotiations for the release of Laura and Euna. That means my original prediction was within 5 days!

WHO DA MAN?

GI, you really should get a pool going on when they will be released.

My personal opinion, based on the public actions of everyone involved, is that they crossed into North Korea, were arrested, convicted and sentenced based on whatever system the North Koreans consider “law”.

While the American government feels that 12 years is unjust, they dare not use this as a basis for complaint since all sorts of people in America are given long sentences for rather victimless crimes… unlike these two who were, more or less, targeting the government of North Korea.

If I were to join the pool, I would say one year from the date of conviction or Dear/Great Leader’s birthday… whichever coincides with some unrelated concession by the American government…

…because it seems there are some irritated politicians and diplomats who are not about to make any concessions just for the benefit of these two.

And, depending how things go, they may be there longer.

A big fat pardon on Dear Leader's birthday would show what a swell guy he really is down deep under that rugged exterior.

Will they be let go for medical conditions?

Maybe… but unless they are on death's door, probably not.

It probably isn't North Korea's first experience with stress-related medical conditions among prisoners and their sympathy threshold is probably high…

…especially when these two reporters, who were fit enough to sneak around the boarder and attend social functions in California, are suddenly all sickly and whiny… not unlike all the murderers and kiddie touchers who find Jesus as soon as they get to jail.

Hindsight will be 20/20.

Spelunker still predicting August 10 release for ROK Drop office pool.

Both husbands got calls from their wives on Sunday and told reporters at today's vigil that Laura Ling's medical condition involving her ulcer has deteriorated and now Euna Lee has developed a medical problem as well.

I still think the more attention the garner, the longer they will be there. Let everything quiet down and the norK's would most likely, very quietly, release them. No fanfare, etc.

As long as there are people out there pushing the story, KJI will ride this into the ground.