Simon Jenkins sees through the clouds

Some call it columnar courage, others formulaic contrarianism – as in find out what everybody else is saying, then say the reverse. Thus "Get out of Afghanistan, no strings attached". Or "This absurd ban on mephedrone". Not to mention "I'm with Pope Benedict on this one". But sometimes, contrary or not, saying something entirely different leaves you alone on a lonely pedestal of foresight and rectitude. "Volcanic ash is the new swine flu panic" (Sir Simon Jenkins, Guardian, 19 April). There's one to cut out and keep if you're still stuck at a faraway airport.