Terry Teachout originally sent up cautionary flags regarding the New York Philharmonic's possible trip to North Korea in his October Wall Street Journal column "Serenading a Tyrant." Teachout wondered:
What would you have thought if Franklin Roosevelt had encouraged the Philharmonic to accept an official invitation to play in Berlin in the spring of 1939? Do you think such a concert would have softened the hearts of the N-a-z-i-s, any more than Jesse Owens' victories in the 1936 Olympics changed their minds about racial equality? Or inspired the German people to rise up and revolt against Adolf Hilter? Or saved a single Jewish life?
Teachout counseled that the Philharmonic and the Bush administration "would do well to ponder these questions before consenting to put America's oldest orchestra at the service of the man who turned off all the lights in North Korea." Teachout to the contrary notwithstanding, the Philharmonic announced that it will play in North Korea in February.
Teachout attended the Philharmonic's official press conference on the trip. He reports on the press conference here at
About Last Night ◄ and has cross-posted his report here at The Horizon. ◄
It looks like in setting forth the plans of orchestra president Zarin Mehta,
the Philharmonic is going to create some joy...for Kim Jong-Il.
Philharmonic to Perform in North Korea ◄
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I am so "Unglued" about this . . . no, more than that ....
Why send "our" prestigious orchestra to North Korea for the pleasure of this "monster?"
Kim Jong II is a villain.
He is a glutton who flaunts it while his people starve.
He plays with toys while his own people, including children,
are in a concentration camp for political crimes.
He is a PIG....
and we should not be providing him with entertainment!
