Nshima & Curry

A motto for modern Britain

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently launched a drive to find a new national motto, soliciting suggestions from the public.

Ministers want the motto to reflect the national identity and be as commonplace as America's "In God We Trust" or the French "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity". ...

Members of the public will be asked to come up with five or six-word slogans, perhaps based around ideas of fair play or national pride. [Link]

Readers of Daniel Finkelstein's Comment Central blog on The Times' website have made hundreds of suggestions. Here are some of them:

"Chicken tikka masala, chips and rice."

"No, please, after you, honestly."

"Our glass is half empty."

"Mind your own bloody business!"

"Britain: Live wrong and prosper!"

"Well, we screwed this up."

"Big Brother Is watching you."

"Sorry, is this the queue?"

"At least we're not American."

"Drinking continues till morale improves."

"Did you spill my pint?"

"Americans who missed the boat."

"In America We Trust."

Why Sarkozy likes America

Appearing on the CBS news show "60 Minutes," Nicolas Sarkozy, the president of France, spoke of his admiration of America.

Sarkozy said he admired Americans' work ethic and the opportunities for advancement in the country, irrespective of class or background.

He said while his Hungarian father had worried that his surname would be an obstacle in France, "he was proven wrong."

"That's what he thought. That a name like Sarkozy was a handicap," the president said. "That's the reason why I like the United States. You can have a name like Schwarzenegger and be governor of California. You can be called Madeleine Albright and be secretary of state. You can be called Colin Powell or Condi Rice, and succeed." [Link]

I think he's overstating it. Schwarzenegger was a movie star and household name. Albright, Powell and Rice were appointed. Sure, Louisiana just elected Bobby Jindal as its governor, but his first name is as American as liposuction and his last name is pretty short and non-threatening. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think America is ready for President Lakshmanathan Balasubramaniam. Or President Lupando Kwamanakweenda. Or President Ibrahim bin Abdullah Al Sadr.

But first, we'll have to see if America is ready for First Lady Bill Clinton. I mean, First Gent Bill Clinton.