I have no real opinion on North Korea.  I have no information on which to form an opinion.  But, I have noticed this week that the New York Philharmonic is in North Korea performing before a crowded auditorium and Bob Woodruff reported from a nuclear site.  Maybe the doors haven’t been opened wide, but a little of our culture and good will did manage to slip through the opening.

At the same time, Condeleezza Rice is pressuring China to apply as much pressure as possible on North Korea to move forward with the nuclear disarmament agreement. 

Okay, so first of all, most of us would like to see the agreement move forward.  That goes without saying.  The Korean War ended almost sixty years ago and much to John McCain’s liking our troops are still guarding the border between the North and the South. 

But, is today the day to apply pressure?  Why not allow the opportunity to attract those flies with a little honey rather than bring out the Bush fly flap? 

We have people on the ground in North Korea for a few days.  Granted the days are numbered, but still we have penetrated the wall with peace in the form of music.  Those traveling with the orchestra have been granted photo ops and video from areas never seen in the west. 

Perhaps, I’m a little more skeptical of the danger of North Korea than some of my friends, but I spent much of my elementary school time practicing hiding under my desk in case the Russians fired off a nuclear bomb.  (I still laugh at that remedy.)  The point is this.  We were taught fear of the Russians in the 1950’s.  We have been taught fear of North Korea ever since.  The Russians dissolved into friendly relations.  I know there have been ups and downs, but at least the phone that connects us to the Kremlin isn’t red any more.  And, no one sits around with a finger on the nuclear button.

Now, we are at that point with “axis of evil” state North Korea.  No one wants to push the button on them.  And, I bet they don’t want to push the button either.  There has been tension for the near sixty years since the end of the war.  So, why not allow us to spread a little peace?  Chances are the North Koreans believe that we all have horns and that our sole mission is to blow them off the face of the earth.  Let us show them we are a good and peaceful people.  We may never become bossom buddies in the world politic, but peace comes a lot closer to getting us there than threats. 

And, if Condi is feeling a little unnoticed at this time, someone send her shopping for new shoes.  She can apply pressure next week when our goodwill mission is on the way home and the North Koreans are comparing notes on the music they heard.