PMA, Joe Miniace, who came from the cost-cutting world of the managed health-care industry, for changing the tone from compromise to confrontation.

ECONOMIST: A battle on the docks would be bad news for American business

But part of his vision in 2008 was changing the tone.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney,

The recent signals coming from the Bush administration so angered Congressman Donald Payne that he, another Democrat and two Republicans wrote to Secretary of State Rice to find out why the US is changing its tone on Darfur.

NPR: U.S. Relationship with Sudan a Balancing Act

By using my the higher register of the baroque G alto recorder, without changing the original key of the music, the resulting tone color is more flexible as well as louder.

NPR: Live in Studio 4A: Parnassus Avenue Baroque

As such, the tone of consumer purchases in the US may be changing.

FORBES: Black Friday Bounce: Consumer Confidence, Holiday Deals, or Something Else?

The tone had to change and this was Alistair Darling changing it.

BBC: Why so frank now, Mr Darling?