The Editor, Sir:

Some years ago, moved by hatred and bitterness, men were tempted to plan and attack the United States (US). This they did by hijacking planes, which they flew into strategic buildings in America. The only ones that succeeded were those that hit the twin towers in New York. This caused tremendous devastation and loss of life.

Shortly after, the US president, moved by greed and overconfidence, was tempted to convince the American people that to avoid any future attacks of this kind, they needed to invade oil-rich Iraq. This invasion did, indeed, lead to the 'mother of all wars', because it became so expensive to maintain the 'peace' that followed, that it helped to cause a major crisis in the US economy, which led to the world's financial institutions being brought to the brink of disaster.

Economic theories

In 2007, motivated by greed and a lust for power, the leaders of the Republican Party were tempted to put their support behind an aging, yet attractively conservative candidate for the presidency. If this candidate were to win, a number of things would happen - the cruel madness of the 'trickle-down' economic theories would continue, although amended to seem different; the thrust for amended energy policies in the US would be nullified and the Earth's ozone layer would be further at risk; and the 'Ugly American' would become uglier, with Americans being urged to see the world divided into friends and 'evil' enemies - resulting in more recruits for al-Qaeda and, worst of all, an attack on Iraq, which would likely lead to Arab nations being tempted to support them, and which would lead to a limited nuclear war (which would spell disaster for that part of the world) or which would rapidly develop into a larger nuclear war.

The tempter, whatever you perceive him to be, would have won. Humankind would have triggered its own Armageddon.

Military might

But, what happened? In 2004, by some 'strange' twist, the Democratic Party asked a young black senator to give a speech at their convention. Again, for some reason, people gave him a listening ear. At that time, he sowed a number of seeds in their hearts and minds. Among these was the idea that increasing military might and bullying smaller nations may not be the simple answer to the security problems of the US. Also, that the government needed to serve and protect the 'little man' and that it had a responsibility to join with the rest of the world in protecting the environment.

This man, in an unlikely turn of events, grew in stature and popularity, so rapidly, that his name began being mentioned as a possible candidate for the presidency. In a series of unlikely developments, this man became the Democratic nominee. So fired up were the youth of America, by his vision of the future, that they swept him into the White House.

As of now, the threat of an early Armageddon is over. He who counters and opposes the tempter, whatever you perceive him to be, has intervened to protect His world!

I am, etc.,

KEITH NOEL

keithanoel@gmail.com.