Letters: Rodman’s faux diplomacy in North Korea

Re “Rodman arrives for ‘basketball diplomacy,’” Jan. 7

Promoting his “basketball diplomacy,” former NBA star Dennis Rodman returned to North Korea this week for an exhibition game between former American players and a local team.

As with previous trips, the purpose of Rodman’s visit has to do with basketball and not with the fate of Kenneth Bae, the American missionary arrested while guiding a tour and imprisoned in North Korea for committing “hostile acts” against the state.

Rodman’s professional career was marked by a relentless and furtive style of play that contributed to NBA championships. Unfortunately, such efforts won’t win Bae his freedom, for Rodman refuses to apply a little half-court pressure on Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s leader and a man whose reputation for oppression and brutality remains a slam dunk.

Frank J. Perez

Hollister, Calif.

We should be thinking about the American ping pong players entering China in 1971. The visit was not intended as a signal of American approval of Chinese policies at the time; however, the ability to get along ultimately proved important.

Now as well as then, differences in philosophy and government might never be reconciled. Nevertheless, we need to understand that anything that could help to mitigate tensions worldwide is badly needed.

In a small basketball arena briefly hovering above the turmoil everywhere else, for a little while everyone can focus on dedicated humans striving to do their best.

Ken Hense

Marina del Rey

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