Denounced by a drunk teenager, the Golovins are resettled a continent away in Augean conditions.

ECONOMIST: The Soviet Union

The upshot is that, seven years after the cleansing of the Augean stables supposedly started, Italy looks remarkably unchanged.

ECONOMIST: Unchanging Italy

If the streets of Algiers present an Augean stable, the image is also appropriate for all of this richly endowed but mismanaged country.

ECONOMIST: Algeria's floods: Torrent of water, torrent of rage | The

We hope, though, that when the cardinals gather to pick Benedict's successor, they consider someone able and willing to clean out the Augean Stables at the Vatican itself.

WSJ: Review & Outlook: The Papacy After Benedict

The other thing that leaves Republicans foaming is their belief that Mr McCain is a hypocrite, preaching about cleansing the Augean stables but then rolling in the muck himself.

ECONOMIST: An elephant never forgives (they say)