[exDemMom]

I think that Otto Warmbier might have been a misguided idealist. There is a subculture of true believers who genuinely believe leftist propaganda. If you are not aware of this propaganda, it basically states over and over how wonderful and compassionate the most totalitarian and brutal regimes are, while constantly pounding on the horrors of a capitalistic society. It is difficult to describe this propaganda and impart its full impact; I am very familiar with it because I used to listen to Radio Moscow in the days of the USSR, and because I have a relative who listens to Pacifica, which promulgates essentially the same kind of propaganda (the relative wants to convert everyone, so anyone visiting gets a dose of the propaganda).

Anyway, if Warmbier was a true believer, he most likely visited North Korea expecting to see a paradise, and was utterly unprepared for the reality of the regime.

[sportutegrl]

Anyway, if Warmbier was a true believer, he most likely visited North Korea expecting to see a paradise, . . .

And for that I blame the lying media and Higher Education.

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

I tend to agree, but I think calling him a misguided idealist is giving a lot of credit that may or may not be due. The tour company he traveled with is the “Young Pioneers.”

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/06/19/tour-group-weighs-change-after-warmbier-death/103023202/

Other sources indicate that, as the name implies, this group is for dedicated young Communists. Pollyanna would say they are misguided idealists, even so. I say, the history of the 20th Century shows they are vicious killers who won’t hesitate to liquidate millions to achieve total power over society.

Warmbier may have been a misguided idealist. Or, he may have simply been a gangsta wannabe who died at the hands of another gang. I’m not sure there is a comparison with Michael Brown.