I found it amazing on Monday how only six days after the inauguration of President Obama, there did not seem to be a single news item featuring him in The Gleaner. And just as well.

President Obama is a black man who has come to the office of president "for such a time as this", but he is an American. As such, I don't understand the worldwide euphoria over his ascendancy to this position. Sure, he seems to be doing a lot to repair the United States' image, but this is not because he does not believe in the cause; he's just challenging the means. It is noteworthy that, for all intents and purposes, the USA remains the same. There is only a change of tactics. I believe the broad strategies and objectives are still the same.

Heavily persecuted

A review of the history of the Christian church will reveal that this kind of manoeuvring is not novel. In the first century, the Church was heavily persecuted, then there was a period of calm. This period of calm, however, saw significant changes taking place in the Church. But when in the 1500s people like Martin Luther began challenging some of these changes, because they dared to read the Bible for themselves, persecution started again.

I don't expect that this view will necessarily be of significance to most persons who would want to exploit what economic opportunities there are be gained from the US. It would be foolhardy, especially now, to expect any handouts from the US. At the very least, if they are going to engage us they will have to stand to gain more than they put in. How else will they remain on top?

I am, etc.,

CHARLES EVANS

charock01@yahoo.com