By John Solomon
How the government's punishing of the exposure of official wrongdoing can linger for years
Van Cliburn, the internationally celebrated pianist whose triumph at a 1958 Moscow competition helped thaw the Cold War and launched a spectacular career that made him the rare classical musician to enjoy rock-star status, has died. He was 78.
"Never forget: I love you all from the bottom of my heart, forever," he said to a roaring standing ovation.
'Life is too short.'
