Does Bush Think We Shouldn't Play Music For Our Enemies?

We know President Bush doesn’t want anyone to talk to our “enemies”. What does he think of Lorin Maazel and the New York Philharmonic playing music for those “evil” North Koreans? While the orchestra was over there, were they allowed to talk to the “evil” North Koreans? Or did Bush have little Bill O’Reillys following them everywhere telling them to “shut-up” if they tried to talk to anyone?

Nearly everything that Bush does and says seems incredibly stupid. How can talking to someone be a bad thing? I applaud Lorin Maazel and the New York Philharmonic for performing in North Korea in February. What courage they have displayed. They have done more for our country in a few days, than President Bush has done in seven years. They have demonstrated that not all Americans stand for hate, destruction, and killing. Some of us believe in love, uplifting beauty, and living and sharing a positive life. I applaud them with a very long standing ovation for what they have done.

With each passing day since I first heard the New York Philharmonic performance in North Korea I have felt more uplifted by what they have done there. I sincerely hope that the rest of the world can share in this sense of hope and brotherhood that Lorin Maazel and the New York Philharmonic have provided to me, and to all of us.

There has been some criticism of this event, but how can moments like this be a bad thing?

After the concert, which included an encore of "Arirang," North Korea's most famous traditional folk song, conductor Lorin Maazel said he was surprised at the overwhelming response.

"When we received this very warm, enthusiastic reception, we felt that indeed there may be a mission accomplished here. We may have been instrumental in opening a little door, and we certainly hope that if that is true, in the long run it will be seen as a watershed."

Maazel wasn't the only New Yorker moved by the event. The Philharmonic's principal bassist, John Deak, said when the musicians started leaving the stage, the North Koreans started waving at them.

"Half of the orchestra burst into tears, including myself and we started waving back at them and suddenly there was this kind of artistic bond that is just a miracle. I'm not going to make any statements about what's going to change or everything. Things happen slowly. But I do know that the most profound connection was made with the Korean people tonight."

The Korean folk song Arirang is a beautiful piece of music and the New York Philharmonic played it sublimely: