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Aretha Franklin To Perform With Condoleezza Rice
Another reason to keep up those chops even after ascending to political heights (or depths, depending on your perspective). The Guardianreports that the former United States Secretary of State, a gifted classical pianist in her spare time (or at least when she ain't shoe shopping), will perform with the famed soul singer. The two will join the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of conductor Rossen Milanov at the Mann Gala Celebration on July 27 at the Mann Centre for the Performing Arts. Rice will accompany the orchestra on Mozart's Piano Concerto in D Minor. Franklin will join Rice and the orchestra to reportedly perform several soul and pop standards ["(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and Dionne Warwick/Wayne Brady's staple "I Say a Little Prayer"], as well as selections from Franklin's new album A Woman Falling Out of Love.
Easy as it is to crack wise about the pairing of the left-leaning Franklin and the right-wing Rice, the buried lead is that the Philadelphia Orchestra could use some positive headlines. The Orchestra is one of the most renowned in the United States, yet also struggling financially and organizationally. In mid-June, leadership changed with the hiring of young Canadian conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Here's hoping the concert segues into a promising 2010/11 season.
Tickets and information about the show can be found at the Mann Centre for the Performing Arts web site here.
Via Guardian.
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Condi Rice told the 9/11 Commission and the 9/11 Widows under oath that the "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in US" memo was not a warning. It warned of preparations for hijackings and planned attacks in the US.
On July 10, 2001, CIA director George Tenet warned Condi that al Qaeda attacks were coming in the next few weeks. Later he said acting on those warnings might have prevented 9/11. Cofer Black said "The only thing we didn't do was pull the trigger to the gun we were holding to her head."
The UK, Germany, Italy, and Egypt warned of aircraft as weapons; Russia of suicide pilots; Jordan and the Cayman Islands of attacks involving airlines. 13 foreign countries and 3 FBI offices warned. Israel warned of 19 terrorists plotting inside the USA, and named at least 4 of the alleged hijackers.
The German press reported that the August 6 PDB was actually 11-1/2 pages long, not the 1-1/2 pages we've seen.
Google: Condi Oath Youtube
Brian