I know a highly educated and intelligent man who doesn't read newspapers and watch TV anymore because of the frustration and despair over humanity. At least, that is what he says despite of the fact that he used to read newspapers in six different languages. His views and attitudes are pervaded with cynicism. Looking at the world, at the moment, I don't blame him.

I'd like to quote Maureen Dowd who quotes Jon Meacham: "The first Bush was closer to the mark when he spoke, usually privately, of how foreign policy was about 'working the problems,' not finding grand, all-encompassing solutions to intrinsically messy questions."

Most of the problems in the world don't have a realistically decisive and quick solution.

Jon Meacham

Hamas has its own positions and Israel has its own positions; al nakba/ The Catastrophe vs. Holocaust. From extreme tragedy, extreme views and attitudes arise, and human folly doesn't help. A decisive and positive solution is possible for the Middle East and North/South Korean situation but extremely unlikely at the moment. The people don't have the great courage and confidence to overcome the deep seated grudges and wounded psyche. The only remedy for the moment is 'working the problems.'

The problems require a great amount of time, patience and maturity. Maturity, itself, takes a long time and great effort to achieve. Maturity requires understanding the situation clearly with depth. Maturity means controlling the emotions of the moment. Maturity must show the ability and willingness to see the many sides of an argument.

Above all maturity has to come with the vision as to where we want to go ultimately. Cynicism is not an option while it will always be there to test us.