The One That Is Proud We Are The Trend Setters. . .

I don't know how many times I've heard it said that what happens first in the US will normally follow here a few years later. I can think of one or two exceptions, I understand that we embraced digital TV a good deal earlier than the US, and coming the other way, we don't seem to have been so enthusiastic about crystal meth as our American cousins.

But it is nice to see that on occasion, the US will still look over the Atlantic to the old colonial master to see how things are done properly, and Jimmy Carter has picked up one of the most useful tools that have been used over here for a while now.

Former US President Jimmy Carter says much of the vitriol against President Barack Obama's health reforms and spending plans is "based on racism".

Mr Carter told a town-hall meeting there was "an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president".

Now I have little doubt that there are a number of people who will never accept a black man as President, just as many would accept a woman in the same job. I'm sure that there were some whose primary objection to Thatcher as PM was that she was a woman and that some people find a Scottish PM objectionable on grounds of nationality rather than the man's policies.

They're in the minority though.

When Republican Congressman Joe Wilson shouted 'You lie!' Carter was swift to denounce him as a racist.

It is most likely that he just disagrees with Obamamamama's policy, I don't think a Congressman from South Carolina would get very far if he was forever shouting things out at black people.

Carter has been watching us, though. Let's see how many other opponents to Presidential policy are regularly smeared as being racist, either directly or by insinuation. 'What? You don't agree? RACIST!!!!!!'

I wonder if there is a USNP rubbing their hands with glee?