Is his prophecy coming true? Is it already true? 

With the meteoric rise of China both militarily and economically are we now in a very uncertain world like we were during the nuclear arms race, or is China likely to become a victim of its own success, in which case who would step into the breach?

Russia is of great concern creating more division between the great powers to suit its own ends, and then there is the sabre-rattling tin-pot regimes developing long-range missiles to carry nuclear warheads at the expense of their own people; North Korea being a prize example. 

The ominous threat of a terrorist attack somewhere, at any time, following the death and destruction already committed in the name of a twisted ideology has created great fear, turmoil and suffering to millions. 

The current pair of hopefuls (Trump and Clinton) hoping to take up residence in the White House inspires no confidence at all. In fact, the thought of either as commander in chief fills me with horror. Where will Trump or Clinton take America? I think back to 1951 and my teacher’s sober prediction. 

Turning to our own country with an election in progress is equally depressing, with a caretaker government confused with its own narrative and an opposition party potentially divided over off-shore detention of asylum seekers.

I have a bad feeling that we are heading for a hung Parliament with a repeat of the instability that that can bring, as we have seen in the not too distant past. 

How did we get to this? 

We have a Prime Minister out of his depth and a former union boss hoping to become prime minister. Both these gentlemen are still on their trainer wheels. Both are captive to their minders and the 24-hour news cycle. 

The Greens are delusional and the Xenophon experiment could cause difficulties with any future parliamentary make-up. 

The chance of a good stable government - both in this country and in the United States - is anything but assured. 

Bruce C Martin, Orange