Hope In North Korea

Here is something that given six months ago I would have never thought possible. This is really encouraging news, hopefully just the beginning of things to come.

The New York Philharmonic performed ''The Star-Spangled Banner'' for North Korea's communist elite on Tuesday. This a step in the form of musical diplomacy aimed at improving ties with the isolated nuclear-armed country that considers the U.S. its hated enemy.

The Philharmonic began the concert with ''Patriotic Song'' — North Korea's national anthem — followed by the U.S. anthem. The audience stood during both anthems and held their applause until the conclusion of the second. Wow!