The Editor, Sir:

I would not wish it on my worst enemy for he or she to be president of the United States. Why, your strings are being pulled from behind the scenes, and long before your term of office ends - if you are not bumped off by your 'friends' or enemies before then - you are vilified, and at the end of your term you become a regular Joe citizen; or worse, often, a pariah, despised - a Nixon-like fellow. But despite or inspite of that descent from 'hosanna to crucify him' status, someone has to do the dirty work - to be the vulture, the garbage collector or garbage receptacle for people's frustration and rage.

So because the role of the president is a necessary evil - like death being a prerequisite to enter heaven - come the next round of the power struggle contest in the US for the presidency, and for someone to nominally run the US and its empire, one of the current three candidates will be anointed to the office in January 2009. However, despite my reservations, I think I would very much like to see Barack Obama assume that position. Why?

I think he might indeed bring some new thinking to governance here in the US and by extension, to the world. He, I believe of all the three contenders left in the race has the best chance of resuscitating, not only America's battered image around the world, but offering a better economic and social justice platform for Americans. So from this standpoint, I would really like him to get the chance to go where no other man - blackman - has ever gone before - to the presidency.

Doubtful

Realistically, will he get there? I am very doubtful about that. The status quo - those backroom boys; those wheelers and dealers; those racial supremacists and their ignorant minions will try and thwart his ambition. They did it, even to some of their own - e.g. The Kennedy's. So although Obama should hope and dream - we should all hope and dream - he calls his dream, 'The Audacity of Hope' that he becomes president, he like us needs to get real, and be wary; for the average American is not ready for such an 'exotic' species of politician like Obama, and he like the honourable Brutus, may be corrupted by Cassius (the system) and eventually have to fall on his sword.

If that were to happen, we his friends and supporters would all be left to mutter inchoately: 'Et tu Obama'. That's why I said before, I would not wish the presidency on my worst enemy.

I am, etc.,

GEORGE S. GARWOOD

merleneg@yahoo.com

Port St, Lucie, FL

Via Go-Jamaica