L the length of the pendulum is l, the length of the string.

There must be a presumption that Mr Löscher's fellow board members are blameless, but it is like climbing with a string of mountaineers, one of whom may conceivably have doctored the rope.

Now congressional Republicans, with a co-joined L on their foreheads and still leaking public support, can look forward to being out-maneuvered in an unwelcome string of upcoming legislative brawls.