# Is Dennis Rodman a CIA spy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 8, 2014, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251 "2014-01-08T05:44:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/21 "2014-01-09T04:45:54Z")
Everybody knows who James Bond is. And Felix Lieter for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/22 "2014-01-09T14:28:14Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > That barber does MAGNIFICENT work. No one has ever told Kim Jung Un otherwise. But Lil Kims’ hair style doesn’t seem to appear on the list of State approved hair cuts. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/23 "2014-01-09T14:49:12Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > But Lil Kims’ hair style doesn’t seem to appear on the list of State approved hair cuts. Kim approved his haircut. Kim is the state. Therefore, Kim’s haircut is state-approved. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/24 "2014-01-09T15:11:26Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Wouldn’t the CIA prefer to use spies who aren’t famous? Well, there’s always [this guy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Chambers_%28make-up_artist%29), who was portrayed by John Goodman in the AA-winning film _Argo._ Don’t think he really counts as “famous”, though. It’s safe to presume that the varied Intelligence Agencies would really, really, really like to debrief Rodman after his visits to N.K. Whether or not they would dare to do so, is another matter – if word ever leaked back to KJU that D.R. had actually met with someone from the CIA, it could literally put his life in danger. However, for the most part, egomaniac celebrities don’t mix well with covert ops. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/25 "2014-01-09T15:26:55Z")
He’s a useless asshole looking for attention and money. That’s it. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/26 "2014-01-09T15:56:21Z")
> [@Tapiotar](#): > > Wait, wait, wait. Dennis Rodman was outed as an alien in **Men in Black**. That is the only possible true explanation. Not the only one, he could be making a big live action production based on the old Super Globetrotters animated show, recreating the classic episode of the Globetrotters Vs. Attila the Hun. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/27 "2014-01-09T16:41:59Z")
Define spy. I don’t think the CIA went to Rodman and hired him to infiltrate North Korea, but intelligence agencies do interview people who have been in locations or with people they’re interested in. People like that are called “sources” not “agents” or “spies” and they don’t work for an intel agency. I could imagine a person in that unique position where a foreign leader wanted to continue being friends with them might keep it up in order to report back even if they didn’t really like the guy, which you could argue makes them a spy in motivation at least. But, I’m talking about regular, normal people here. All bets are off with Rodman. It could be that KJU is his soulmate. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/28 "2014-01-09T16:53:29Z")
Did he and his buddies actually play against a NK team? I hate, hate basketball, but I would pay to see that. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/29 "2014-01-09T17:17:30Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Did he and his buddies actually play against a NK team? I hate, hate basketball, but I would pay to see that. I’ll give you one guess which team won the exhibition match. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/30 "2014-01-09T17:19:49Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Did he and his buddies actually play against a NK team? I hate, hate basketball, but I would pay to see that. Maybe instead of an old school TV show he is recreating a classic Futurama episode: \ ***Ethan ‘Bubblegum’ Tate** : Pitiful basketball players of Earth, I am Ethan “Bubblegum” Tate, commander of the Harlem Globetrotters. For generations, your puny planet has lived in peace with the Globetrotter home world. But now, for no reason, we challenge you to defend your honor on the basketball court. Will no one meet our challenge? Have none of you pathetic earthlings game? **Fry** : What happens if we lose? **Ethan ‘Bubblegum’ Tate** : Nothing. There is nothing at stake and no threat, beyond the shame of defeat. \* As an extraterrestrial, Rodman is typecasting himself. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/31 "2014-01-09T17:38:41Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I’ll give you one guess which team won the exhibition match. Would Dennis’s ego allow him to throw a match? I saw the interview/rant, the look on his teammates faces was just priceless. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/32 "2014-01-09T17:45:45Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > However, for the most part, egomaniac celebrities don’t mix well with covert ops. Well, [actually](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Hughes#Glomar_Explorer)… ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/33 "2014-01-09T18:05:40Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Would Dennis’s ego allow him to throw a match? He barely played in it–did something like fifteen minutes before leaving the court and going up to smoke cigars and pal around with his bestest bud, Li’l Kim. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/34 "2014-01-09T18:15:46Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > It’s safe to presume that the varied Intelligence Agencies would really, really, really like to debrief Rodman after his visits to N.K. Whether or not they would dare to do so, is another matter… Sure they would. He and the rest of the world will just see a journalist interviewing him, and the parts the CIA are interested in, but might be dangerous will have been cut out of what’s broadcast, and only the CIA will know that the ‘journalist’ is really a CIA employee. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/35 "2014-01-09T18:28:43Z")
I’m gonna go with a combo answer: Rodman is a brain-damaged drunk, who is also an attention-whoring idiot. But not a spy. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/36 "2014-01-09T19:13:51Z")
They are both bat-shit insane – that’s your explanation right there. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/37 "2014-01-10T01:05:30Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > He’s an attention seeking whore who has been starving for it. Maintaining a relationship with another crazy asshole is about all he has left to get the attention he needs. Because the window for him to get a sex change operation and host the Helen Degeneres show as a bride has closed? Was the wedding dress stunt all for nothing? He needs to come out of the closet and confess his love for little generals. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/38 "2014-01-10T01:14:01Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > Sure they would. He and the rest of the world will just see a journalist interviewing him, and the parts the CIA are interested in, but might be dangerous will have been cut out of what’s broadcast, and only the CIA will know that the ‘journalist’ is really a CIA employee. Aha, now that recent CNN interview makes sense. Dennis Rodman was only pretending to be drunk & deranged, whereas in reality he was secretly blinking in Morse Code _a la_ [Jeremy Denton from the Hanoi Hilton](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgelmcOdS38). Unfortunately, if you [watch the interview](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCj99LB0hPs), well…you’ll see the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/39 "2014-01-10T02:07:23Z")
Rodman is a Useful Idiot for the North Korean regime. Internationally famous, and bringing attention and (for the moment) other stars to North Korea. Knowledgeable and skilled basketball player, which is something Kim Jong-un enjoys. Loudly sings KJU’s praises to the entire world (of very high value to NK! Do not underestimate this!) and even angrily defending him before the media. But for all that, by his behavior and his appearance (all the tattoos and piercings) he may as well be wearing clown makeup and a jester’s cap. Behind the scenes he cannot be seen as anything other than that Useful Idiot, a foreign jester praising their leadership. What does Dennis get? Attention, first and foremost (don’t underestimate how important that is to him), a show (and that’s what it is) of respect and admiration from North Koreans, and probably a bit of money. I still expect the day will come when he says the wrong thing while in North Korea and dies suddenly of some phony ‘medical’ issue. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2014, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251/40 "2014-01-10T02:07:44Z")
> [@Tapiotar](#): > > Wait, wait, wait. Dennis Rodman was outed as an alien in **Men in Black**. To say nothing of Third Rock from the Sun. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dennis-rodman-a-cia-spy/678251.md?page=3)