Some cynics may laugh and criticize that controversial NBA star Dennis Rodman is one of the few Americans to visit North Korea.

I say props to Dennis. He may be an odd guy with tattoos and a crazy personality — but he’s out there building bridges and that’s far harder, smarter and more important than building walls. Any fool can drop a bomb. It takes real ability to make connections.

Peace and understanding are never made with isolation and threats.

We should be far more open with every nation, eliminate all sanctions, build trade and build understanding. Americans hate and fear Iran and North Korea and their citizens hate and fear us. Know why? Because practically no one knows the first thing about the other guys!

President Ronald Reagan did one of the most brilliant things I’ve ever heard of when Gorbachev visited: instead of bringing him to monuments and museums, he brought him to shopping malls and grocery stores to see how we live and to see that our system works. Gorbachev was also amazed at a visit to the White House that citizens from all over could freely walk up and tour with ease – sadly that has changed. In an age of fear, walls and militarized police on our own streets its no wonder we shut out others.

One has only two sets of tools to change the behavior of another: tools of persuasion and tools of violence. So many seem eager to continue pre-emptive violence against Iran and North Korea without the slightest effort to create peace and understanding. Ignorance of the other side creates a cycle of division.

We have but two choices with those countries who we have no rapport with: we can try to make things better, or we can make things worse. “Worse” leads to bombings, death of innocents, death of Americans and more financial ruin. “Better” leads to economy opportunity, trade, understanding and peace.

Tattooed, flamboyant, dyed hair over-the-top Rodman sought to build common ground, he was respectful, open-minded, non-judgmental and understanding. He didn’t compromise himself or his country and be built a bridge, not more division. If only the professional politicians and diplomats could do the same, how much better our world could be.