The Sacrificing of Dennis Rodman

I posted the following comment to a discussion board, concerning Dennis Rodman's recent gifts to the North Korean head of state:

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QUOTE: According to federal regulations, “luxury goods” as defined by this law include “luxury automobiles; ...recreational sports equipment; tobacco; wine and other alcoholic beverages; musical instruments...collectible items....” :UNQUOTE.

These regs are just another example of federal intrusion on the rights of the sovereign citizen. For one thing, these regs are unconstitutionally vague. For instance, if Rodman had given Kim a basketball, would that have been a violation of the "recreational sports equipment" ban? If he had autographed that basketball, would that be a "collectible item?" If Rodman gave Kim an ordinary car, would that be okay since only "luxury automobiles" are banned? If Rodman had given Kim one cigarette from a pack in his breast pocket, would that have violated the "tobacco" ban? If Rodman had given Kim a penny whistle, would that be a forbidden "musical instrument?"

As for the liquor, it could be argued that Rodman was trying to poison Kim, which I'm sure State would try if it could.

Our lawmakers devolve into clownish caricatures when they show their control-freak side by passing bans like these. Such bans will do nothing to change Kim's behavior (or his access to such "luxury" goods). They will, however, go a long way toward implementing our own government's policy of intimidating its own citizens. And maybe that's precisely the point.

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Of course, our lamestream, lapdog media did its utmost to paint Rodman as an unstable, alcoholic crazy. I understand: They're just doing their job. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.

In fact, we need more rogue players since they tend to introduce an element of chaos which might actually help change things.

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UPDATE:  I originally posted this on Jan. 27, which was before I saw an interesting interview on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Jay asked Magic Johnson what he thought of Rodman's actions. Magic said he had a problem with him going to a country which said it wanted to hurt us. Jay nodded sympathetically, but I thought: "Lots of countries would love to hurt us, and some even say so. Which might be a good reason for someone as unlikely as Rodman to, in a manner of speaking, circumvent normal diplomatic channels in an attempt to make a difference."

Not to mention: Dubya basically made a not-so-veiled threat when he famously said, "You're either for us or against us." Yes, in the name of rhetoric and appealing to the base, politicians will make threats. But I think the more mature among us know that most of these are harmless.

Jay is a great entertainer and Magic is a legendary basketball player. But this knee-jerk pandering to sensitive "patriots" is unbecoming and shows these two are obviously functioning out of their element. Some people might be bothered that Rodman called Kim "my friend." So what? That's his call and perhaps some good might come of it.

Steven Searle, former candidate for US President (in 2008 and 2012)
Founder of the Independent Contractors' Party

Contact me at bpa_cinc@yahoo.com