The most important thing I learned as a foreign correspondent in about 80 countries is that it takes a very shallow knowledge of history to think that there are solutions to most problems.
quote by Robert D. Kaplan
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Just because the solutions of problems are not visible at any particular time does not mean that those problems will never be alleviated -- or confined to tolerable dimensions. History has a way of changing the very terms in which problems operate and of leaving them, in the end, unsolved, to be sure, yet strangely deflated of their original meaning and importance.
quote by M.I. Abramowitz
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Resolved Like Moves In Chess
a stress issue
can be resolved
like moves in chess
same with some problems
same with life problems
discuss as issues merits
offer a few options
we know within ourselves
not only the best solutions
but cop out solutions
half baked solutions
who chooses real solutions?
we could use the phrase
man up and bit the bullet
or chill let problems flow over us?
sometimes
doing nothing
is as bad or worse
than making a mistake
but with a little reflection
you can resolve your stress issues
identify sources
your real desired outcomes
suffer consequences or reap rewards?
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
What Have We Learned From History
What have we learned from history little if anything
Of war men and war heroes their praises we still sing
Humankind have come far in technology and on the moon surface have trod
And still we fight for our Nation's flag and go to war for our God.
What have we learned from history not much if you ask me
We still have wars and famines and we still have poverty
And we still have this awful thing called ethnic cleansing and we still have refugees
And we still wage war on Mother Earth and we still pollute her seas.
What have we learned from history if anything at all
Before the baby has to walk the baby has to learn to crawl
And life is just a learning curve or so we have been told
But few of those who lack wisdom in their twenties grow wiser as they grow old.
What have we learned from history we have learned to populate
And by bulldozing more virgin woodlands more diseases we create
We pollute Mother Earth who feeds us and our successes seem so few
And that the World would do nicely without us only happens to be true.
What have we learned from history go ask one wiser than I
The World is far more polluted now than when I was a boy
And history has a habit of repeating itself a wise one once did say
And I've not learned from history though I grow old and gray.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet: When Problems Persist…
When problems engulf you, you cannot solve,
You tried your best to seek solutions fair,
If still elusive, you must now resolve
To put your trust in Jesus: He takes care!
When you can’t fight the evil minds around,
You’re outnumbered and feel you are alone,
Your conscience tells you, still you’re duty-bound:
Just put your trust in Jesus: He’s the one!
When problems appear Herculean to face,
Defying solutions on earth for long,
Your fervent prayers form your unique base,
And Jesus hears and answers your life’s-song!
Just put your trust in Jesus and keep cool;
Neither men nor Satan can play the fool!
poem by John Celes (26 April 2007)
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
As I visited the various neighborhoods in the campaign, I learned fast that it's a mistake to think that all of the wisdom and possible solutions to our problems are available only in this building.
quote by Jane Byrne
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
History Maker
History maker World shaker it’s what I wanna be
Going places seeing faces making history
Stepping out not afraid coming up against the enemy
History maker world shaker that’s what I wanna be
Get up and go-there is trouble everywhere
Finding solutions to our problems is so very rare
No more talking cause all the talking’s done
History maker world shaker I already have begun
Stand up for right I am in a fight
Trying with all my might to free them from their plight
History maker world shaker that’s what I want to be
Helping people change, changing history
But I can’t do it alone I need someone
To help me do the job and get it done
Become a history maker starting here today
Be a world shaker follow me I will show the way
Copy Right HN Brown 31 January 2009
poem by Henry Brown
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Presidential Stand
the world economy has gotten out of hand
president OBAMA is the first to take a stand.
he told the republicans: i will do whatever
i have to do 'with or without you'.
we can not stand idlely by and see our nation die.
there will be controversy on what will
and what will not work. but if we do nothing
to help the economy.
'it will show we failed in our history'.
the president has problems galore
and different solutions he has in store.
he is doing what no president has done before.
by grabbing the bull by the reins
and riding it all the way.
will he fall or will he stay?
we must help him make the corral smaller
so that he does not fall to the ground.
then no solutions will be found.
our nation and all the world is watching him
and if we don't help, it's a crying sin.
what will it take for this nation to see
he's the first black president in our history.
it seems like he's fighting a losing battle
with very little support from his peers.
who are still living in fear.
the politicians think:
what if i help and it does'nt work?
i will be the political jerk. i will get so much slack
and there won't be any turning back.
but! if his plans do succeed, on his plans i can feed.
i can ride the waves to the top, and knowing that i will not flop.
the public always remembers the bad
and very rarely the good.
either way it will go into our history books.
of the stands that we took.
i would prefer to be remembered as the afterthought
briefly in their minds, rather than not at all.
because i did'nt have the gall
to stand up for something thats right
and help him to continue the fight.
so it is up to all of us, and 'in him we'll put our trust'.
no one person can do it all by themselves
and we know this very well.
for everything that he has fought
as politicians we should all give our support.
we must do whatever it takes
to help the country, before it's too late.
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A modern theory of knowledge which takes account of the relational as distinct from the merely relative character of all historical knowledge must start with the assumption that there are spheres of thought in which it is impossible to conceive of absolute truth existing independently of the values and position of the subject and unrelated to the social context. Even a god could not formulate a proposition on historical subjects like 2 x 2 = 4, for what is intelligible in history can be formulated only with reference to problems and conceptual constructions which themselves arise in the flux of historical experience.
quote by Karl Mannheim
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
Vote! | Copy!
Countries under foreign command quickly forget their history, their past, their tradition, their national symbols, their way of living, often their own literary language.
quote by Slobodan Milosevic
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
I Have Learned
I had been told 'never' to say never.
And for as long as I lived,
I will learn a 'never' said will return.
And I found that to be true.
I have learned to focus and remain conscious.
Never to keep repeating the same mistakes.
I have learned,
The giving of oneself...
Opens the door to heartache.
I have learned,
Forgiveness for some...
Means a forgetting for them to what they've done.
I have learned,
A revolving door...
Revolves not solve solutions.
I have learned,
A no does not mean yes...
To a depleting of my happiness.
I have learned,
Never to allow my peace of mind...
To be plucked by anyone wishing to get on my nerves.
I have learned,
THAT!
And 'that' aint gon' happen no mo'!
Never.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
He Haunts Me
He haunts me with his supreme art,
Of tender kindness and agile legs;
He walks to and fro like the tide,
The best of the darkness has you.
One mellow sound from the crypt
Is offering me knowledge of you.
To imagine how learned you are
Is like an important task of great help.
Plenty of knowledge stunts your growth
Like the way people are dwarves.
Liking knowledge is loving it
In the dark and light, in the starry skies.
poem by Naveed Akram
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
History
History is sad.
It makes me mad
that we have learned nothing.
History is the past.
It goes so fast
and still we have learned nothing.
Today's not history
and so it's a mystery
why we repeat the same old nothing?
poem by Edwina Reizer
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Minding Our Own Business
The universal warrior.
The ordinary fighting man
existing since the world began
A doer not a worrier.
He does as he is ordered to.
Its not his place to question why
The many ordered by the few.
His duty is to do or die.
The politicians and the brass
issue commands which he obeys
Its always been this way alas
and will be ‘til we change our ways.
Why should they send young men to fight
and die in some far distant land.
To try and prove that might is right.
Why can’t our leaders understand.
Each country is entitled to
govern their land in their own way
There’s very little we can do
We cannot force them to obey.
However much we disagree,
we have no right we can’t dictate.
they must accept democracy.
Each is an independent state.
Our leaders ought to concentrate
on problems in our own countries
Address them now they cannot wait
Re stabilise economies.
It’s not our place to interfere
on other countries home affairs
Past history makes this quite clear.
We have our problems they have theirs.
The evidence is plain to see
.Each country gets the government
they will accept eventually
By trial and experiment.
Although we think our way the best
it will not do for everyone.
So in our own best interest
We must learn to leave things alone.
Democracy is not perfect
Although we may pretend it is.
It is the best we can expect
although it’s rather hit or miss.
It is the best we can devise
as long as human nature rules.
We lack the knowledge to be wise.
We are a race of clever fools.
27-Dec-08
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I was really just the tea boy to begin with, or the equivalent thereof, but I quickly announced, innocently but very ambitiously, that I wanted to be, I was going to be, a foreign correspondent.
quote by Christiane Amanpour
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Only Solutions
Note: the lyrics listed here for only solutions
Were transcribed and discussed by several
Members of the journey mailing list.
We hope they are correct, although they
Still could contain errors.
In the jungle I run tonight
Find no peace to logical life
No confusion, just wrong or right, oh yeah.
Faces, numbers I recognize
You dont fool me with cynical lies
No problems, no compromise, oh yeah
Only solutions
Dont pull me down, I just wanna hear
Only solutions
Oh, it wont be long, it wont take too long
Modern times drive me insane
Explanations I cant explain
Leaves me standing in the rain, oh yeah
Solving mysteries with nothing to lose
Magic leaves you without any clues
Theres only so much one man can do, oh yeah
Only solutions
Dont pull me down, I just wanna hear
Only solutions
Oh it wont be long, it wont take too long
Only solutions
Dont pull me down, I just wanna hear
Now that the sun is shining
Clear vision, clear vision
In the jungle I run tonight
Find no peace to logical life
No confusion, just wrong or right, oh yeah
Faces, numbers I recognize
You dont fool me with cynical lies
No problems, no compromise, oh yeah
Only solutions
Its my point of view
Only solutions
Oh, clear vision
Only solutions
No second thoughts
Only solutions
No, no, no contradictions
People reason
People reason
No escape
song performed by by Journey
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Sonnet: On Knowledge
Knowledge is one thing priceless, people want;
Knowledge is something gained by labor long;
Knowledge is infinite; master, you-can't;
Knowledge is changeable, much like a song.
Knowledge is deeper than the oceans deep;
Knowledge is larger than the Universe;
Knowledge is barely in life, just a peep;
Knowledge if badly used becomes God's curse.
Knowledge remains undiminished, tho' you- share;
Knowledge gives man, a civilised outlook;
Knowledge if improper, you ought to pare;
Knowledge is gained from Nature and by book.
Knowledge can make a man a wiser one;
Knowledge gives Wisdom in the longer run.
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
He was what I often think is a dangerous thing for a statesman to be - a student of history; and like most of those who study history, he learned from the mistakes of the past how to make new ones.
quote by A.J.P. Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
I have always said there is only one thing that can bring our nation down - our dependence on foreign countries for food and energy. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy.
quote by John Salazar
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Knowledge
What happens to our knowledge
when we pass from here?
Will it be buried with us
for an eternity to be undisturbed,
or do we leave tracks
of our knowledge behind?
Great minds have already written down
things they did not want to forget.
Is it possible that great knowledge
is gathering dust somewhere
in those forgotten chapters
of our history?
Leonardo Da Vinci’s drawings
of airplanes and submarines.
Were they just fanciful dreams,
or were they reality?
Could these things have existed,
but of their presence in history
this knowledge for them departed?
What about Atlantis
with its knowledge unbound.
Did it really disappear
beneath the waves without a sound,
and the knowledge that they held,
did that all vanish with them?
We can only speculate
where all this knowledge goes
as new minds dream of things
that may have existed in the past.
Which leaves us with the question,
what happens to our knowledge
when we pass away from here?
4 September 2008
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Out The Window
You said to never ever come back
I wasnt sure exactly what you meant by that
I know that we have had some problems
But Ive got solutions in my head
[chorus:]
So I jumped out the window
And down the fire escape
Broke the window, who needs car keys anyway?
Climbed through the window, I thought led to your heart
Thrown out the window, there was nothing there to break my fall.
Sorry I sent you all the flowers
I heard your boyfriend wants to shove them up my ass
I never meant to cause you problems
But Ive got solutions in my head.
[chorus]
You said its over
You said never again
Why does this happen all the time?
You dont even want to be friends
It makes you happy when I cry
Now all Ive got left is my sanity
Now all Ive got left is my sanity
And Im not sure how far it goes.
song performed by by Bowling For Soup
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!