The experiment worked, closing a debate about the age of Earth and the energy source of the Sun that had begun in the 19th century.
The controversy surrounding Mr. Biden began after The New York Times reported last Saturday that he had appropriated, without attribution, the language of Neil Kinnock, the British Labor Party leader, to close a debate in Iowa last month.
Last weekend, after a report that Mr. Biden had appropriated a British politician's speech as his own to close a debate last month, he said the reason was simply oversight: he had intended to credit Neil Kinnock, the Labor Party leader, for the moving description of Mr. Kinnock's ancestors.
The establishment closed down a debate for 30 years, he says.
But for too long the establishment has closed down a debate about the effects of Britons on Britain.
Houghton seems to have attempted, by his intervention on Trident, and backing those Labour MPs who differ from the views of their leader, to close down a debate.
When the first episode of "The Kennedys," the costly and controversial mini-series about that American political dynasty, makes its debut on Sunday, a chapter in television history will be closed, but a debate about the balance between accuracy and creative license in historical dramas will be renewed.
The broadcasters may, possibly, face a legal challenge about the allocation of national airtime, but in the court of public opinion it would be a brave act to try to close down a debate in which you have been invited to take part but have chosen not to.
Not surprisingly, the conference is closing with a debate whether or not there are too many incubators.
These governmental functions have been incidental casualties of the shutdown, and a growing number of lawmakers say they don't need to stay closed over a debate about the Department of Homeland Security's budget.
