Today's Religious and Scientific URL

Newton is now going to come in for as much flak as Darwin, according to The Onion.

A sideline for the Anglicans amongst ye: there is a certain visual similarity between the "Rev'd Gabriel Burdett" and the Most Rev'd and Right Honourable Rowan Douglas Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England. I think that the current tendency for male Anglican bishops to sport beards means they will soon all look alike.

Mo Mowlam has died

according to BBC News. I liked her, as did many others, including Labour activists. She was convinced that the 2-minute standing ovation she received when the Prime Minister mentioned her in a conference speech turned him against her.

She's been ill for a while, and apparently she fell in her home and hit her head, thus losing consciousness, never regaining it.

It'll be interesting to see whether Our Tone will interrupt his holiday for her funeral (assuming it is held before he and the family return from wherever they are at the moment). I suspect not, as it would be an even greater slap-in-the-face for Robin Cook's family if he attended hers after not attending Cook's. The newspapers and tabloids (I separate them intentionally, as I don't believe that tabloids are newspapers within the meaning of the Act) of course, will crucify him whatever he does. If he stays away, they'll just say that he's again proved his callousness and vindictiveness toward former colleagues, even after death. If he goes, they'll contrast this with his non-attendance at Cook's funeral. Perhaps the family will spare his blushes by holding a private funeral with a memorial service to be held later. Then again, maybe they'll maximise his embarrassment by holding a very public funeral and asking him to attend.

Ban on "mate" in Australian Parliament lasts a day

Heard this on the news this morning and could see the funny side of it. I've even taken up "mate" for various friends, as I'm often around Australians and others who use it (hi, Win!)

One of the great defining characteristics of an Australian is informality to everyone, great and small. I recall that a former Prime Minister (was it Bob Hawke?) put his arm around the Queen's back to steer her toward a receiving line or something. There was a furore here, as it's well known that the only part of the Queen you touch is her gloved hand.

Unless you're the Duke of Edinburgh, in which case it's your duty.