Love of the universe

I just have to remind everyone that British Columbia had a premier named Amor de Cosmos. Isn't that cool? I wish all politicians had funny names, but instead we're stuck with Paul Martin and Stephen Harper. Stockwell "Doris" Day was pretty funny, but we all know what happened to him...

Maybe we could prevail upon Paul Martin to name himself...what? Spam Chris (email) with your suggestions. Let it not be something snarky or satirical or testifying about Paul's character, but rather just a randomly amusing name for him to have. Remember, Chris is there to be spammed.

UPDATE: Chris sends me this link, containing much more detail on the colourful life of Amor de Cosmos. Of particular amusement is this:

After four months of this type of villification Governor Douglas tried to muzzle the Colonist by invoking an old British regulation under which editors and publishers were obliged to post a large cash bond as guarantee that they would not break the law. The Governor announced on April 1, 1859, that the newspaper would have to put up $3,000.00 immediately or suspend publication. De Cosmos knew that this was no "April fool" joke and he ceased publication temporarily. This apparently brought a popular reaction in his favor, because three days later, at a public meeting, the amount demanded by the Governor, was subscribed in amounts of $25, $50 and $100. The paper was back in circulation in a few days and as De Cosmos wrote: "this was to enable the Colonist to lay barer still the rascality that was done under the guise of government and under the sceptre of Governor James Douglas."

I do note a similar effect in the Internet fundraising efforts of Democratic candidates in that country to the south of us.