perfidy

There are many reasons why the House of Lords is groovier than Congress*. First among them is the utter loopiness of many of the exchanges, such as this one, posted yesterday on Slashdot: 

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, I totally agree. These statistics on accidents are extremely fascinating; they prove that the British public can use practically anything in this world to hurt themselves with. It is understandable that there are an estimated 55 accidents a year from putty, while toothpaste accounts for 73. However, it is rather bizarre that 823 accidents are estimated to be the result of letters and envelopes. It is difficult to understand how they can be the cause of such serious plight. I agree with the noble Baroness that it would be helpful if people paid careful attention. 

Baroness Strange: My Lords, does the Minister agree that sardine tins and anchovy tins are also very difficult to open with their tin-openers? 

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, I think I will just agree with the noble Baroness on that question. . . . . Lord Mitchell asked Her Majesty's Government: What are their plans to reduce the growth in spam (unsolicited e-mails). 

Lord Renton: My Lords, will the Minister explain how it is that an inedible tinned food that lasted for ever and was supplied to those on active service can become an unsolicited e-mail, bearing in mind that some of us wish to be protected from having an e-mail? 

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: My Lords, I am afraid that I have not been able to find out why the term "spam" is used, but that is the meaning it now has. It is a matter that should be taken very seriously because it not only clutters up computers but involves a great deal of very unpleasant advertising to do with easy credit, pornography and miracle diets. That is offensive to people, and we should try to reduce it. 

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: My Lords, I can help the Minister with the origin of the word. It comes from aficionados of Monty Python, and the famous song, "Spam, spam, spam, spam". It has been picked up by the Internet community and is used as a description of rubbish on the Internet. . . .

If you read the whole thing, you get the distinct impression that the entire House knows Monty Python, and what's more, the song. *Not better—I'm not one of those who assumes that just because it comes from Engalind, it must be superior. This fallacy is responsible for Dr. Who, Burberry, and Liz Hurley, who, though she is hot as a thousand suns, still can't act her way out of an open phone booth.