Dennis Rodman: New Unofficial U.S. Ambassador to North Korea?!?

The always-controversial Dennis Rodman has made headlines this week with a visit to his "friend," Kim Jong Un, son of Kim John Il and leader of North Korea. Rodman, along with three Harlem Globetrotters, stopped in while filming a new reality show for HBO.

Kim Jong Un, much like his father, is known for being leading an oppressive regime under his dictatorship. To summarize: In January, North Korea launched a satellite into space, alleged prepping for a nuclear attack on the U.S.

Rodman says that since President Obama loves basketball, and Kim Jong Un loves basketball, they should "start there" and attempt to communicate with one another. Rodman also stated this Jong Un doesn't want a war, even though he does love control and power. While the light-hearted video footage shows Rodman front-row at a basketball game with the North Korean leader, the people of North Korea are dealing with famine, and their government has been accused of violating numerous U.N. sanctions regarding weapons testing and human rights.

Sen. John Kerry and Shaq have both spoken up and said that Rodman should stay in his lane. So what does exactly does a Dennis Rodman/Kim Jong Un "friendship" mean? Will Rodman, strangely enough, become an ambassador for our country and help save us from any potential wars?

In my opinion: The answer is NO. Kim Jong Un's main purpose in being seen with Rodman is to distract his countrymen from the serious issues they are facing and to boost him within the public eye. White House Officials already have direct communication with the North Korean government: it is not as though the ONLY way they can communicate with Jong Un is via NBA players. This also does not show that Jong Un's "weakness" for basketball or NBA celebrities, as some have stated. Both Kim Jong Un and his father were known to be fans of American culture and sports. Simply put, this appears to be a distraction and publicity stunt by Jong Un.

As for Rodman? He thrives on controversy, so he either 1.) jumped at an opportunity to stir up something controversial, especially considering that he has been out of the limelight for quite some time, or 2.) was made to feel purposeful by the dictator. Many people are attracted to others with power, and Rodman may have been sucked right into Kim Jong Un's power vortex. Perhaps Rodman's intentions were noble...maybe he really did believe that he would help aid in negotiations and use basketball as a way to build bridges between two "enemy" nations.

However, looking back at Rodman's track record of always wanting to "break the rules" and do things HIS way, I have a feeling he did not for the same reason as Jong Un: for attention. Mission accomplished, gentleman. Mission Accomplished.