Alfred Kahn, John Brennan and Bananas

John Brennan-Top banana



During the dark days of the Jimmy Carter presidency, there was an economic advisor in the White House named Alfred Kahn. When he used the words "recession" and "depression" to describe the then economic situation and possible future situation, he was chastised by Carter and Chief of Staff Hamilton Jordon not to ever use those words again. Kahn being an irreverent sort, coined the term "bananas" to substitute whenever he felt the need to say "depression/repression". Thus came the following Kahn quips:

"..... double-digit inflation and a stagnant economy might give rise to “the worst banana in forty-five years.”

"The worst banana you ever saw."

Now we have John Brennan-Deputy National Security Advisor for Counter Bananas and Homeland Security under President Obama. He doesn't like to use the term "terror", so he is trying to change the language. (Overseas Contingency Operation, etc.) Perhaps, Mr Brennan can take a cue from Kahn and use the term "bananas".

"We should not use the term "Global War on Bananas."

"The enemy is not bananas, because bananas is a tactic, and not bananas, because bananas is a state of mind."

During a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Brennan described violent extremists as “victims of political, economic and social forces.” He stated, that those who plot violence against the United States should not be described in religious terms, i.e "Bananas".

"We need to find moderates within the banana organization Hezbollah."

And this from Brennen: "We should give more bananas to that part of the world, so no young man would ever even think of picking up a banana."

"Banana? Did I hear someone say banana?"