anything like C++ references?

[Bryan]

>
> In maths, a variable binds to a value. In Python, a variable binds to
> an object in a way that does no correctly implement binding to a value
> unless the object happens to be immutable.
>

this sentence is completely FALSE because python does not have the concept
of variables that bind to values.  therefore it's impossible for python to
incorrectly implement binding variables to values like in math.  python does
not have the concept of variables.  instead, as has been pointed out several
times, python has what you can call "names" that bind to objects.  two
completeley different concepts.  i think a lot of this argument is based on
this false premise that python has true "slot" variables and incorrect
comparisons are being made.

bryan