Wealthy Hollywood Producer Paid for NKorea Flight

[cal04]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/08/05/us/politics/AP-US-US-NKorea-Producers-Plane.html

A wealthy Hollywood producer and a major corporation were instrumental in bringing former President Bill Clinton and two American journalists home from North Korea, prompting words of thanks Wednesday from former Vice President Al Gore and the freed reporters during an emotional airport reunion.

Stephen Bing, a close Clinton friend and longtime Democratic fundraiser, is the plane's owner, confirmed Marc Foulkrod of Burbank, Calif., chairman of Avjet Corp., the company that manages the aircraft.

Gore, who runs Current TV, which employs the two journalists, gave a shout-out to Bing during remarks after the plane landed early Wednesday in Burbank.

''To Steve Bing and all the folks who have made the flight possible, we say a word of thanks, deep thanks as well,'' Gore said.

The journalists themselves, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, offered gratitude to another patron, Dow Chemical Co. and its CEO, Andrew Liveris, although Dow's exact role was not made clear.

[babylonsister]

1. I heard Mr. Bing's name mentioned a few times today. Thank you, Mr. Bing! nt

[Arctic Dave]

2. I wonder if he will become the next George Soros?