ABC Nightline -- The Baghdad Symphony

[Bozita]

 
Nightline Daily E-Mail
December 12, 2003


TONIGHT'S FOCUS: They may not be the world's best orchestra, but I don't think they can be topped for just perseverance, and the love of music. We'll follow the Iraq National Symphony Orchestra from the ruins of war to the stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

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There are some people who live for music, who are taken by its power and beauty the first time they hit a key on a piano, or strum a guitar. But for many of us, who had piano lessons inflicted on us at an early age, it seemed that it was more of a struggle of wills between the instrument and us. And at least in my case, the instrument won. But for those lucky few, it became a love affair with the instrument and what it can do. Now for professional musicians, it means that they must sacrifice any free time in order to practice, and practice, and practice. And I think I deserve some credit here for not falling back on the old joke "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" But at least from the viewpoint of the non-musician, the life of the professional doesn't seem all that difficult, in fact it looks like a wonderful life.

But for the musicians you'll meet tonight, the obstacles in front of them were much greater. Tonight we'll introduce you to the Iraq National Symphony. Founded in 1959, shut down at various times, and cut off from the rest of the world by sanctions instituted after Desert Storm. In the wake of Saddam's overthrow, they returned, practicing in a facility that had been looted, and trying to find a way to survive economically. And they have survived. Again, they may not be the best, but you have to admire the spirit, and the love of music, that drives them. Correspondent Jeffrey Kofman caught up with them in Bahgdad, and we followed them all the way to a performance here in Washington. It's a wonderful story, and I think a nice change from the usual news that comes out of Iraq these days.

George Stephanopolous will anchor tonight, and I hope that all of you, musicians or not, will join us.

Leroy Sievers and the Nightline Staff
ABCNEWS Washington bureau

[Syrinx]

1. woohoo, more hard news from our friends at Nightline

Sheesh.

[Bozita]

2. I lost a lot of respect for Koppel the other night

Maybe Nightline is off for the holidays.

[calimary]

3. Pardon my language, but

Holy Fucking-ass Shit! THIS is what they come up with? There's the latest, ONLY the latest with Halliburton, the Plame affair that the White House trying to make sure goes nowhere fast, moving Max Cleland out of range re the 9/11 probe (and yes, what ABOUT that 9/11 probe, anyway?!?!?), the continuing cost of the war, human AND financial, the continuing ignore-job of its dead, Kenny-boy Lay is still at large, the "International law? I gotta call my lawyer" quote, STILL no WMDs, the noose is apparently tightening around Rush Limbaugh, and we've got the fabulous investigation of the Iraq National Symphony?@!?!?!?!??!?!@(@#*)(&%%)#*$#)(*%^&Y^$*&%_#Q(*$

JEEZ!!!!!

[buycitgo]

4. exactly

bait and switch.

the Koppel/Cheney story had a similar email come-on and was clawless/clueless

you won't see anything remotely threatening from them, unless the tide has already turned.

speaking of Plame, they did do a very good show with those spooks awhile back, then dropped the matter like the hot potato it is.

even SEX SEX SEX doesn't resignate with them, like it did with WJC.

have you seen ONE story about Neil and his escapades, which was intertwined with his big contract with the President of Taiwan, or something?

what happened to that one?

can you imagine if it had been Roger?

[Shakespeare]

5. Friday night is ALWAYS lighter fare on Nightline.

Always. Surely you've noticed this if you're a regular viewer?