Comments on: Sen. Sam Brownback Puts Hold on Kathleen Stephens Nomination

By: OneFreeKorea » Kathleen Stephens Nomination Woes Deepen

OneFreeKorea » Kathleen Stephens Nomination Woes Deepen — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:55:40 +0000

[...] InÂ March, I explained why I believe that Kathleen Stephens is the wrong person to be our next ambassador to South Korea.Â InÂ April, IÂ explained whyÂ Senator Sam Brownback had placed a hold on Stephens’s nomination, effectively blocking it.Â Brownback announced his oppositionÂ by going to the Senate floor to deliver an impassioned speech — “Google Earth has made witnesses of us all” — that made use of my own satellite imagery of Camp 22.Â [...]

By: Jungmin

Jungmin — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:16:29 +0000

God Bless Sam Brownback. He has consistently spoken up and acted for those around the world who are oppressed, abused, unlawfully imprisoned, etc. That he has worked on behalf of North Korean refugees, acted to move government to help those in Sudan and other African nations that have experienced genocide or mass refugee movements due to political, reliogious and ethnic cleansing, consistently voted against support for communist, totalitarian, oppressive regimes, and has sought to extend an American hand of help and strength to those in need will never be forgotten by me, and hopefully, by informed citizens of this nation and those in the countries whom he has helped.

Men of conviction are a dying breed in U.S. politics, literally. (Henry Hyde, etc.) I can only hope and pray that more men like Sen. Brownback become involved in politics, and those that are there remain committed and retain their integrity.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:09:11 +0000

Wolf is a stalwart. The North Korean people have a few Charlie Wilsons on their side: Wolf, Ros-Lehtinen, Ed Royce, and Chris Smith; and in the Senate, of course, Brownback. To the extent McCain has spoken about the issue, he’s also said the right things. I’m pleased that he always raises human rights without being prompted. Obama will say favorable things when prompted, but I’m not sure he has a well articulated 360-degree view of the subject, and I don’t really see how sitting down with Kim Jong Il one-on-one is likely to advance human rights. I know we have some Obama supporters who regularly visit; maybe one of them can explain.

By: Sonagi

Sonagi — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:13:09 +0000

I am pleased that my representative, Frank Wolf, is also a vocal advocate on behalf of North Korean refugees.

By: Wolmae

Wolmae — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:29:38 +0000

Joshua’s touching last words will long resonate:

“Here is a man who made a difference, and here, by itself, is a reason to remember that one man, driven by conscience alone, defied his President and his friend to save the lives of people who will never see, know, or vote for him.”

And to those who say that Senator Brownback merely represents the “right wing Christian” types, may I ask you: What have you or your own type done to speak out against crimes against humanity lately?

I wonder who among South Korea’s some 300 assemblymen will have the courage and integrity to speak up consistently as Brownback does against North Korea’s multi-faceted crimes against humanity.