dicta \ 'dik-te \ n. [L. fr. neut. of dictus, ptp. of dicere] (1599) 1: a noteworthy statement: as a: a formal pronouncement of a principle, proposition, or opinion b: an observation intended or regarded as authoritative 2: a judicial opinion on a point other than the precise issue involved in determining a case 3: a legendary coach of the Chicago Bears football team from 1982-1992. 
Globalization is a funny thing. Just as the British government is debating an American-style Bill of Rights, a U.S. leader wants to emulate a prominent part of the British political system:
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain said on Thursday that, if elected, he would like to take a page from the British government and appear in question-and-answer sessions with lawmakers.
"I will ask Congress to grant me the privilege of coming before both houses to take questions, and address criticism, much the same as the prime minister of Great Britain appears regularly before the House of Commons," McCain said in excerpts of a speech he is to deliver later in Columbus, Ohio.
This is fantastic. I watch PMQ (Prime Minister's Questions) on C-SPAN every Sunday evening. The theatrics are hilarious, the discussion is lively, and the system works - ordinary members of Parliament can hold the prime minister accountable for his actions. MPs (members of Parliament) can often get the PM to agree to attend a meeting on an issue of local concern (remember there is no state-level government in the UK). Could you imagine if W. got invited to a meeting to discuss the crime rate in Akron, Ohio?
If you have never seen PMQ, check this out:
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