Van Cliburn, a Long Tall
Texan, left us this week.
I was full of Texas pride
as I reflected and read about Fort Worth's most famous citizen since Ben Hogan.
Foreign Policy is
occasionally affected thru cultural exchanges. Oftentimes it is felt that
understanding another nation’s culture helps to improve relations. Senator
George McGovern sent the South Dakota State Basketball team to Cuba, President
Nixon sent the U S Ping Pong champions to Red China, and Dennis Rodman was in
North Korea basketballing with Baby Kim this week.
Sidebar
- Speaking of This Week, Rodman was on the Sunday ABC news show with George
Stephanopoulos (whom I respect). George asked a few probing if not tough
questions to which Dennis made a fool of himself. It must have been a slow news
week to give Dennis 8 minutes. I suppose Bob Woodward and Sequestration weren’t
worthy of more time. And of course elevating experts like Rodman. Rodman and Kim are a joke. Is Dennis Rodman the
image of America we want to project?
Van Cliburn in contrast was
a Cold Warrior that won the Russian people’s affection thru his talent and
warm-hearted spirit. Time Magazine called Cliburn the Texan who conquered
Russia.
Watch the video below of Cliburn and Gorbachav at the Reagan White House to
understand the depths of Cliburn's talent musically and diplomatically.
Van Cliburn rest in peace.
End bar –
Cliburn’s association with another Long Tall Texan.
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