Bravo For The New York Philharmonic

On February 26, the New York Philharmonic performed a concert in North Korea that was broadcast live on radio and television.  What a great opportunity for our arts and entertainment to be exposed to the North Korean people.  President Kennedy promoted the Arts and Science and was very active in cultural exchanges because he knew the value of bringing people together.  He honored many  who gave their talents for the good of mankind.

 

The U.S. should be promoting the same thing with Cuba, instead of hanging on to worthless sanctions.  Sanctions have not changed Cuba in the last 50 years, just like the sanctions against Iran have not changed that country.  We should be promoting the Arts all over the world instead of promoting arrogance and so called "tough talk".  Arts and Science, if promoted with respect, will be accepted by all people, because everyone has a thirst for joy, entertainment, and education.

Many of our leaders today are detached from reality.  We invoke the name of Democracy and try to implement that with war and military might.  We have leaders who have failed to take that first step and show the world our true strength and value as a nation.  No nation or people will ever reach their potential nor will humanity reach its highest level of achievement without the Arts and Science.

 

So, to the New York Philharmonic, I say once again: BRAVO!  You have hopefully lifted the spirits of the Korean people and planted the seed to understanding America.  Hopefully, this cultural exchange will continue and spill over into other countries.  It is way over do. 

The Leaders of North and South Korea Meet (a special editorial by John Lucia)

The Associated Press reported that the leaders of North and South Korea will meet in Pyongyang this week for only the second time ever. Roh Moo-hyun, South Korea's president pledged to foster peace on the divided peninsula. He said the DMZ was a line that has divided the nation for a half century and that the people have suffered too many hardships because of the "wall". He will meet with Kim Jong II, the leader of North Korea.

A divided country will always be a problem for their own people and their relationship with the world. One rich, one poor, both with a lack of trust in one another. Both adding military might to their side and each having allies looking out for their own good.

The best thing that could happen at their meeting is for both leaders to unite their torn country themselves, one country under one flag with one people, with no outside interference from any country. Once united, demand all foreign military troops, equipment and supplies leave their country. They could then join the world order as one united country for the benefit of all its people. A united Korea would stabilize the peninsula.


Remember North and South Vietnam were divided countries and that was a disaster for its people and they had a long history of foreign occupation and a never ending war with the United States. When Congress cut off funding for that war dire predictions were made for the country. However, the ending of that war united the country under one flag and the country was no longer divided. Today, Vietnam has a relationship with the United States, is a stabilizing force in the region, and is a threat to no one.

The leaders of North and South Korea have an opportunity to put the past behind them, unite their country and peoples and remove the threat of a possible future war of a divided country. If I were an American President I would encourage all world leaders to support the Korea's in their effort and I would pledge that the United States would support the Korean peoples' right to unite their own country themselves. I would also pledge to remove all american military forces, equipment, supplies and bases from Korean soil. The Korean war was ended over 54 years ago this July. Its is time the Korean leaders and their people officially end the war, close that chapter and celebrate the unification of their country.