1pm UK Time

INTERVIEW - "Myth" That Green Protection Hits Economy

Okay. I'm sitting here browsing the news and all hell breaks loose. First off, a large low flying plane has me running for the window. Second, a few more follow and the paraniod in me wonders if a load of big-wigs are fleeing London for some reason. Then masses more - I conclude that it's all too obvious and remember that it's probably part of Queenie's birthday celebrations. Helluvva noise though! The final flypast had all the audio impact of a missile strike and set off most of the car alarms in this usually peaceful square.

Obviously we have airpower to spare over and beyond that deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Shuddering under the sonic assault, my thoughts went out to those unfortunate people whose lot it is to live in those countries and others - where this kind of activity is a perpetual nuisance and an impediment itself to everyday life.

So back to the papers. What did I have open? The headline link above - an interview that suggests the green agenda is not an odds with economic growth. As good a lead as any.

Last night I mentioned the Bonnaroo Festival broadcast. Tom Petty was on good form with Stevie Nicks joining him onstage. The webcast picture quality was fine but the audio itself not the best. Most annoying of all was the censorship. None of the subtle "bleeps" you get with the likes of the BBC, but huge badly-cut chunks of silence. It belied the claim that it was genuinely "live" (why the warning about viewer discretion?) and served little purpose. There may have been a few four-letter words near the end, but most of the censored lyrics simply refrred to "getting high" and "rolling a joint". Laughingly, far more controversial innuendo in other songs completely passed the meddlers and "Last Dance for Mary Jane" got broadcast intact.

A great concert, but a sad day for freedom of expression in an Amerikan media plagued by fear and paranoia. See previous blog for an item about Bush signing a "broadcast decency" act.

Later.