Threats and Opportunities
Here’s three cheers
for Jon Haidt, who’s reminded us
in ‘The Happiness Hypothesis’
that our lingering primitive selves
respond more quickly to a threat
than to an opportunity…
and thus, a more powerful emotional weapon
in the hands of politicians and journalists
and others with an axe to sharpen..
while astute moneymakers, more than the rest of us,
look always for an opportunity…
so President Bush hastens to warn us
that ‘Iran remains a threat’…
and so do you, George…and
so do bananaskins, and wet leaves
on a warming sidewalk after frost…
and polar bears to garbage cans -
themselves under our human threat
from global warming…
It’s a world of threats, and threats of threats…
wars and rumours of wars, as the good book says…
maybe I should stay in today…but then…
was this, then, how the West was won?
I think not…
Some say, still say, that somewhere out there
there’s One who made a world
entirely of opportunities…
Meanwhile, pity politicians
in a world of spin:
if Dubbya-doh came out tomorrow
all bright-eyed and Bushy-tailed (by security men…)
and announced in upbeat tones,
‘Iran remains a golden opportunity…’
we’d all turn to each other and say,
‘What’s he up to, then? ? ’
and oil shares would fluctuate...
well, there you are… if boredom threatens at this point,
an ice-cold can of beer remains
a golden opportunity…
poem by Michael Shepherd
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Golden Opportunity
(ian hunter)
The kids are ok
Theyre telling you now
But youre letting them down
Cause you just dont know how
And its a golden opportunity
Im spinning in space
Im laughing away
Your so pathetic
I can just hear them say
Its like a golden opportunity
You better hear it
See hear it
Its a golden opportunity
You better hear it
Get near it
Its a golden opportunity
We reckon theyre rats
Now see how they run
My house is so common
And were dumb were so dumb
And its a golden opportunity
Scream all you suckers
Scream all you can
Im losing my bluff
Its a scam its a scam
And its a golden opportunity
You better hear it
You better hear it hear it
Its like a golden opportunity
You better hear it
You better hear it hear it
Its like a golden opportunity
Alright!
You better hear it hear it
Hear it hear it
Its a golden opportunity
Hear it
Hear it
Its a golden opportunity
You better hear it
You better hear it
Its a golden opportunity
You better hear it
You better hear it
Its a golden opportunity
(fade)
song performed by by Ian Hunter
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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We have global interests, potential threats from elsewhere, North Korea, Iran, Taiwan Straits and the like. We must be prepared for any future threat. That is why it is important that this be a transition year, 2006.
quote by Ike Skelton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Threats To Keep A People In Grief
How can we seek solutions...
When our denials love to bask,
In a pleasing done by deceit.
How can we non-fictionalize our lives,
When fiction is all we seek.
How can we ever expect to accept the truth,
When none of it is believed.
And how is a greatness once perceived,
So willing to feed decadence...
And allow conflict and division succeed.
All of these may be questions!
But the opportunity to answer them,
Become threats to keep a people in grief.
Threats to keep a people in grief.
'Why no one answers them? '
They're threats to keep a people in grief!
'Why? '
They're threats to keep a people in grief!
Threats to keep a people in grief.
'Why no one answers them? '
They're threats to keep a people in grief!
'Why? '
Threats to keep a people in grief.
'Why no one answers them? '
They're threats to keep a people in grief!
'Why? '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Nevertheless, there is another threat on the horizon. I see this threat in environmentalism which is becoming a new dominant ideology, if not a religion. Its main weapon is raising the alarm and predicting the human life endangering climate change based on man-made global warming.
quote by Vaclav Klaus
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Far Greater Threat
More of a threat to human existence than the economic recession is the ozone hole in the sky
That scientists claim is growing bigger as the years go by
Caused by carbon emissions that cause Global warming by experts we have been told
The climate is warming even in Lands known to be cold.
Compared to climate change economic recession as a problem seems small
To human existence on the Planet the greatest challenge of all
Is Global warming which we know is Worldwide
Due to our greed for material gain we've put Nature offside.
This World is for us to live in not for to destroy
For the future generation every young girl and boy
We are making life for them harder for our greed they must pay
I hope I am wrong in this though it does seem that way.
The economic recessions they come and they go
And after every recession the economy does grow
But Global warming to humanity is a far greater threat
As it does seem a matter of life and of death.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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You will surely die!
Opportunity what is that?
Is it bad or good?
Is a relationship with another
Person an opportunity to grow or to die...
As in I wish I were dead.
A woman is indeed a rare, rare opportunity
And if you ever get the chance to meet such
An opportunity...
And mistreat her, you will surely die.
A woman is the cradle of life...
She is a pandora box...
She is also a fox.
A woman is awake up smile
A mother to a child
A doctor or lawyer when she need be...
She was created for the world and me.
So an opportunity to be in the company of woman is rare.
God created such perfection there...emotional perfection.
Woman is an opportunity of good will...
Still.
poem by whisperkwane Lamb
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Of Global Warming And Climate Change
Of Global warming and climate change we read of and hear
The changes in our natural environment gives us reason to fear
Of what does lay ahead for the children of today
We've brought climate change forward by centuries it does seem that way.
The polar ice caps are melting at an alarming rate
Our polluting of our natural environment not something to celebrate
To combat global warming we've left it a bit late
As a species we may well have sealed our own fate.
The burning of fossil fuels and carbon emissions have gone on for too long
On what causes climate change the experts have never been wrong
What we do to Nature in kind she repay
Global warming a threat to human existence many experts now say.
War and terrorism as a threat to humanity seems little at all
When compared to climate change it's impact seems small
Humans not known to learn from mistakes of the past
We must change our ways and we must change them fast.
poem by Francis Duggan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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For Those Who Don't Recognize Opportunities
Deciding an opportunity,
One gets that comes.
Will await until a decision has been made,
By the one who perceives.
An opportunity staring in one's face,
Is obligated to stay in place.
Until that decision to take it has been done.
Should not stun the one.
Who gets an opportunity that abruptly leaves,
To be discussed with digust as a memory.
For those who do not recognize opportunities.
They will never experience them for what they are.
Or when to take them immediately.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Sonnet- The Perilsome World
What is the use of nuclear armaments?
What is the use of sophistication?
What is the use of global tournaments?
What use his of militarization?
The world today is lesser safe to live;
The threat to life and property exists;
Security- who will vouchsafe to give?
The basic human rights, the world resists.
And fanatics emerge in larger scales;
And terrorists pose threats to all nations;
And militants strike both in hills and dales;
While underworld dons have their bastions.
Rein in the peace all earthlings seem to need;
To God’s commandments, we must all pay heed.
poem by John Celes
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That said, the question remains: how to strike the balance between free speech and mutual respect in this mixed-up world, both blessed and cursed with instant communication? We should not fight fire with fire, threats with threats.
quote by Timothy Garton Ash
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Opportunity
Opportunity, it is said,
knocks but once.
Opportunity, sometimes
knocks a few times.
The gospel truth is,
Opportunity's frequency is erratic.
Opportunity is a windfall,
in true truth a one-off affair.
This explicitly explains why
To the wise the plausible option,
is to grab the first opportunity.
Striking when iron is hot
Sparing oneself the guilt
Of not grasping an opportunity,
When it itself, presents.
Opportunity to the fool,
knocks when requested.
It is there to be clasped,
when really required.
No doubt missed opportunity,
is the facet of a fool.
Be wise, act rationally
Be guided by the reasoning
The time- tested saying
‘opportunity, knocks but once'.
poem by Emmanuel Oduro
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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There Are Those Exceptions
Many have spent lifetimes,
Doing their best...
To manipulate the presence of truth.
And yet there is not one shred of proof,
That a doing of this has led them to success.
However...
There are those exceptions!
Millions of dollars are spent,
In the celebrating of holidays created...
To allow the threats of terrorists,
Opportunities to rest...
As everyone is welcomed to join the festivities.
'But...
Where are the terrorists? '
~Ssshhh.
They are no threat to us on holidays.
Or on weekends.
Just Monday through Friday.
See them checking their watches?
It is almost that time,
For them to begin their threats.~
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Iran's continued pursuit of nuclear weapons, support for international terrorist organizations, and abhorrent human rights practices pose one of the greatest threats to global security.
quote by Allyson Schwartz
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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12-07-07 No Poem Here
Just an observation on the anniversary of the failed intelligence that led to the US being unprepared and surprised by the attack on Pearl Harbor. An estimated loss of American lives that day 3,400.
It was also on this date in 1917 that the US declared war on Austria-Hungary.
I write this in light of the recent reevaluation of Iran's nuclear capability and intentions. Two articles in the London Times today reflect that we haven't come very far since 1917. 1) 'It should ceretainly not be the basis for declaring peace in our time and welcoming those nice Iranians back into the global family....(Iran's) proxies and friends in Hezballah and Hamas and among the Iraqi Shia extremists.'
2) new threats of Balkins conflict - -Serbia made threats of war with the breakaway province of Kosovo.
I have no poems about this. I went to bed last night after watching a re-run on TV of 'I Robot' staring Will Smith. Neither this fiction nor my reflections on reality this morning give me much encouragment for positive developments in world peace.
Thanks. I just had to let someone else know.
poem by Tom J. Mariani
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Scrutinizing Of An Opportunity
To scrutinize an opportunity,
Will be one less opportunity one will see...
To be scrutinized again.
And for those that do this...
Hopefully that scrutinizing of an opportunity,
Wasn't disrespectfully or publicly done.
And didn't appear with others near,
Witnessing it being unappreciated.
Leaving the scrutinizer...
With fewer less opportunities to come.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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When we think of the major threats to our national security, the first to come to mind are nuclear proliferation, rogue states and global terrorism. But another kind of threat lurks beyond our shores, one from nature, not humans - an avian flu pandemic.
quote by Barack Obama
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Malaysiana - Friendship and Opportunities
what the government
fails to tell the people
is that the migrant citizens
are opportunities to reap
instead of threats to fear
and in any god given opportunity
friendship is the best way to
earn the the entire beneifts
poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The United States must also continue to push the United Nations Security Council for strong action to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions. In the meantime, it is our job to take meaningful steps to eliminate the threats posed by Iran.
quote by Allyson Schwartz
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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One World One Family
let us enter
in a new world
a world
of no boundaries
a world
of no walls
a world
of no terror
a world
of no poverty
a world
of no weapons
one world
of one family
no countries
no politicians
no wars
just imagine
a paradise
let us awake
contribute
your self
for a
new world
of oneness
today you imagine
tomorrow you do
one by one
global awakening happens
one world
one family
happens one day
poem by Ramesh Kavdia
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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On September 11 2001, America felt its vulnerability even to threats that gather on the other side of the Earth. We resolved then, and we are resolved today, to confront every threat from any source that could bring sudden terror and suffering to America.
quote by George W. Bush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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