Mail Call: Challenges Abound.(International Edition; LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)(Letter to the editor)

Readers enumerated the challenges awaiting Barack Obama. These run the gamut "from bolstering a battered economy to combating worldwide terrorism," as one put it. And while the United States needs to move forward to "earn back its lost reputation," another described Obama's election as "one of its finest hours."

Considering Obama's Victory

I'd like to offer my congratulations to Barack Hussein Obama on his historic victory as the future president of the United States ("The Obama Effect," Nov. 24). Hope seems to have not been just "audacious," but humble too. In his acknowledgment of not having earned the votes of those who did not elect him, Obama extended his hand and promised to listen to their voices as well by virtue of "being your president too." It now gives the United States a chance to move forward so it can earn back its lost reputation.

Esra Tasneem

Chennai, India

Nearly half a century ago, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of a dream that the United States would rise up and live out the truth, that Americans of all races not only were created equal but could live in peaceful harmony and not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Now that dream has been fulfilled in polling stations all across America by an overwhelming majority of voters who cast their ballots seeking change, resulting in the election of the first black president in U.S. history. Obama has many challenging tasks ahead. From improving race relations and bolstering a battered economy at home to repairing the country's tattered image abroad to averting climate change and combating worldwide terrorism, President-elect Obama has much awaiting him when he takes office on Jan. 20. May God bless both him and the United States of America.

Jim Victa Hipolito