YO, ECONOMIST – I was scandalised to learn I had been previously scandalised without even knowing it, when I read that Gordon Brown had “scandalised Americans” by referring to our president as “Barack”. I think this may be a case of British self-flattery. Before the outbreak of such outrage three things would have had to happen which simply did not. First, Americans would have to know who Gordon Brown is. Second, they would have to know that he referred to President Obama as Barack. Finally, and most importantly, they would have to care. I don’t recall any news story on this. We reserve such interest for the mistresses of our sports celebrities. Lates, Steve R New York