I was involved in a discussion the other day where someone introduced a useful new coinage. We used to have nimby (not in my backyard), to characterise those opposed to development, whether it was a new power plant, airport or asylum centre. But nimbyism is running so high that we now have banana: build absolutely nothing anywhere near me.
“There is too much criticism-with-contempt oozing from the Pentagon, which, unfortunately, has become the voice of America lately.” Tom Friedman rightly reckons that “good will and popularity are underrated strategic assets”.
“Did a burger bar here ever expect to have an hour of Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey and Alastair Campbell?” The BBC’s non pareil Jim Naughtie delivers a wonderful report on Bill Clinton in Blackpool, where the Labour party conference is taking place.
Here’s Ben MacIntyre of The Times: “This was really The Beatles. There was a moment when I really thought there was going to be an embarrassing knicker-throwing moment, but thankfully we got through it.” Great listening.