Today I visited some with Robert Pinsky, former Poet Laureate from the United States. I told him I liked the poets because they always asked the best questions. I told him though a male and from deep East Texas I love poetry and have enjoyed many of his. This is a conference on Islam and the west which means religion - so we talked a little. He told me speaking at a Christian University in Oklahoma - he said he was neither! Yet, he is very good at dialog.
Spent time with Dr. Abudullah Abdullah today. He was the former Foreign Minister for Afghanistan - now working with the Massoud Foundation. He's doing all he can to rebuild his country. I feel that they've been given the short end of the stick. Iraq sure hasn't wanted us - but we're there - Afghanistan has really wanted help - we're not there like we should be. To be an educated man, yet also a soldier for most his life - here is a man of conviction. He likes pens - I like him all the more.
Tomorrow I speak - it's a very academic and intellectual crowd. The past four years has produced a lot of discussion but not so much in terms of action. Who knows where this is going. The Sheik of Qatar who spoke last night was so profound in many things he said. The most powerful was - listening to the voice of his children. The best way I'm convinced to prepare for the future is to listen to the Voice of God and the Voice of the children.
The problems we face in the world are real and so extensive - only when people step out and begin to engage is there any real hope of any change. I think, if I were a diplomat, or global politician - I would despair.
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