I've been awfully remiss in not jumping on the bad situation facing Los Angeles journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, the Current TV reporters who have been held in North Korea for more than two months. The Pyongyang government says they will go on trial Thursday for "hostile acts" arising from their allegedly entering the country illegally from China. The Times of London says today that "they are held alone in separate rooms and only occasionally allowed outside. In 12 weeks they have had one visitor. They pass the time with exercises, meditating and frequent weeping. According to their families, they are 'very, very scared.'" This week, Laura's older sister Lisa Ling, the TV host and reporter, the captives' husbands and other family members have gone on Larry King, Today and Nightline drumming up interest. There will be many vigils held Wednesday across the country, including here in Santa Monica.

Looking at Ling's Current TV profile, it looks as if she followed Lisa's early path into overseas reporting. Lots of admirable stories and hard miles reflected there. This was apparently Lee's first foreign reporting trip.

Ling's Current TV profile
Lee's Current TV profile