Condi Rice: A Character for the History Books

US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice attended the Asean Regional Forum yesterday. The tradition for this annual event is that each delegation from around the world performs some kind of act. Its pretty much an international armature hour being put on by people who spend most of their time with public relations advisers constantly reminding them what to say and when not say it. This is intended as a light hearted way to get everyone to relax and put aside many of the more serious aspects of the forum. For example, back in 2001 Rice's predecessor Collin Powell did a version of the Village People's "YMCA".

This year, with far more serious events going on in the world, Rice performed two Johannes Brahms piano pieces (a solo Intermezzo number two, and Brahms Sonata for violin and piano, opus 108, with a Malaysian guest soloist). The response from the crowd was absolutely amazing. Philippines Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said "Oh, beautiful, beautiful. She’s a great pianist. She’s a concert pianist."

I believe its moments like this that will put Condi Rice down in the history books. If you look at historical figures from the west that are among the most respected you don't hear as much about their day to day lives in the office they hold. Mostly you hear about the kind of person they are. Winston Churchill for example is know more for his quick whit, poetically worded axioms, and what later were called Churchill cigars. Now, I don't know if Condi ranks as high as Churchill (as far as I'm concerned he is in a league that is almost impossible to gain membership of). But her ability to show uncommon intelligence and grace sets her apart from pretty much any figure in the world today (perhaps even her boss, President George W. Bush).

While the left is focusing on how "sexually powerful and threatening" Hillary Clinton's bust is, Condoleezaa Rice is showing her classy character by playing classical music for her international counterparts. She doesn't need some starry-eyed sculptor to stroke her ego. She knows who she is, and knows how to get the job done by showing the character of a classically educated, highly intelligent, and morally and ethically strong individual. It is her character in times like these that will go down in the history books. And she does it with the simple act of playing a magnificent musical piece.

Tags: Rice, Bush, United States, Lebanon, Israel, Middle East, Politics, Terrorism, United Nations, Hezbollah, Hillary Clinton