Critics also contend that free religious expression based on a majority vote is inherently unconstitutional, since it infringes the rights of those, no matter how few, who may object.

ECONOMIST: Prayer in schools

Any object of sufficient mass, no matter how exotic, could be studied in detail.

ECONOMIST: Fundamental physics

Because gravity pulls on light as well as matter, when light passes by a heavy object it bends as though it is passing through a lens.

ECONOMIST: Cosmology

Worse yet, he will be able to take advantage of a vehicle for effecting the so-called "two state solution, " no matter how strenuously Israel and its friends in Washington object: The Palestinians will simply unilaterally declare themselves a state and ask for international recognition - and Mr. Obama will accede to that request.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Obama's not-so-hidden agenda

The new definition removes the reference to females and says rape is "the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object" without the consent of the victim.

BBC: FBI updates rape-victim definition to include men

The council can object in principle to any development relating to the Star Wars project, but since it would be a matter of Government policy, it is highly unlikely an objection would carry any weight.

BBC: Menwith Hill: Centre of Star Wars storm