Beware the flying pun!

I have been trying for some time this afternoon to write about the flying bishops.  Not because it's the most enormous thing since the Reformation and clearly shows that the CofE is in crisis.  It's nothing of the sort: 97% of CofE congregations don't require the services of a flying bishop

Rather, I think it's a good decision for them.  As Bishop Alan Wilson commented, they have found their "true spiritual home".  (Although what Roman Catholics who don't get the Ordinariate goody-bag will think about this remains, it seems, to be seen.)  And, although there are noises about replacement, I do hope that this will mark the beginning of the end for the flying bishopric because I really don't think that those who find reasons to discriminate should be entitled to special allowances that enable them to continue to do so. 

And that's why I've found it hard to write about this.  I have admired the many elegant and compassionate posts (for example, Benny, Lesley and Kelvin) who have not stooped to the pie-throwing that I struggle to avoid.  I struggle not to do that because this is a news story about people who believe that what's between your legs is more important than what's in your heart.  And that just doesn't fly. 

Although it would play brilliantly as Greek comedy. 

Britain Today #17: a nice warm cardigan and a CND badge

I have been reading a lot of Left Foot Forward today.  Along with my usual Guardian reading habit, this means that today's Britain Today is wearing a nice warm cardigan and a CND badge.  (I am wearing a fleece, if you must know.) 

Steve Tombs and David Whyte write on why health and safety laws matter.  (I live in hope that New Generation Labour will be keener on the debunk boogie than the tabloid bandwagon hop.)

A couple of interesting articles, one from Sarah Barber in LFF and one from the always good Jackie Ashley look at the impact of the government spending cuts on women.  

Datablog has data and (breathless voice) a chart (!) on government spending.  You can download it and do things with it (dinner and dancing, perhaps). 

Keeping on the spending and fairness front, pick of the bunch today is Ben Baumberg on 'Should we defend the middle class welfare state?' in which I (with my C grades in economics) learnt all about means testing and universalism.   

Finally - football, Liverpool, league sustainability.  Esoteric stuff.