The Conscience of a Liberal by Paul Krugman

I've been reading a lot lately. Books that is, not blogs. Our computer is housed in our sun room which is a bit chilly this time of year, especially in the evenings and when I'm at the bookstore, I've actually been working. Imagine that! Both scenarios have left me with very little time to spend leisurely perusing the blogosphere or making many posts of my own.

The book I just finished is The Conscience of a Liberal by Paul Krugman and I think it is one of the single most important books I have read in years. If you believe our country needs a Universal Health Care system, read this book! Or if you often wonder why the economy seems to go to the dogs when our friendly conservatives are in office, read this book! Krugman is an economist and so some parts of it are a bit dry. I even flashed back to my Econ 101 college days every now and then whilst reading and remembered how I'd have rather jammed toothpicks underneath my fingernails than read my Econ text.

This book fortunately did not create such urges, I think mainly because Krugman weaves within his text, topics besides economics including politics, unions, race and comparing and contrasting our system with those of Canada, France, Germany and Britain to support his arguments. The parts of the book which focus on the role of unions during the last 100 years of our country and it's economy was particularly interesting to me as my dad was a union steward during his life and I am a supporter of unions. Perhaps I'll go more into that aspect of the book in a later post.

So for those of you who just can't get enough Paul Krugman in your life, which will most decidely be the case after you have read the book, he has a blog through the New York Times! So yes, try and hold back your glee as I have had to... You can connect with this man's thoughts daily. Sigh! Sob! Life would be so terribly dreadful without the internet. Wouldn't it? I can't believe I lived through the first five-sixths of my life without it.

The Business of Bali

The events of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali have been resonating in the shadows of my daily world. I've gone about my days, taking care of my family, schooling my children, conversing with my friends and running my business, but my heart and soul took a trip to Bali recently. No one would've known to see me and I've said very little to anyone until yesterday, but that's where I've been, hoping that some progress would be made, agonizing really.

Watching diplomatic processes such as these are mental torture. Perhaps, I should have just waited to tune in to the aftermath. But then I would have missed all the drama and bali-hoo taking place. I've pulled some excerpts from "Tortured End to Bali" from Time.com which convey some of the drama that exploded at the end of the conference.

It was only with the help of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, who made an emergency stop in Bali, that negotiations got kick started. The South Korean, in office for less than a year, is known as diplomatic even by UN standards, but he arrived without mincing words. "Frankly, I am disappointed at the lack of progress," said Ban to a packed audience. "Seize the moment, this moment, for the good of all humanity." With that, Ban left the chamber to a standing ovation.
Yes! What exactly is our problem? Divided we fall... WHY must it always be soooo difficult for nations (for people from different groups in general) to work together?

After India reiterated its objection — and was essentially supported by the European Union — the lead American negotiator Paula Dobiansky turned to speak, and announced that the U.S. would not accept India's changes, which sought to lighten the expectations from developing countries. (The UN negotiating process requires total consensus.) Boos rained on the U.S. delegation from NGO observers and even the press gallery, breaking the last remaining appearance of diplomatic placidity.
I don't know if my boos can be heard from here all the way to Bali... I keep thinking of the Dr. Seuss book, Horton Hears a Who. Thank goodness the Who's down in Who-ville made themselves heard!

Nation after developing nation rose to criticize the U.S. in language more often reserved for a political debate than a UN conference. A representative from tiny Papua New Guinea — one of many small island states most immediately threatened by climate change — recalled the old Lee Iacocca line about leading, following or getting out of the way. "If the U.S. will not lead, get out of the way," he said, to gallery cheers. "Please get out of the way."
While I would love my country to be looked back on at this point in history as a leader on this issue, I just don't see it happening. I do see individuals and large groups of U.S. citizens standing out a part from our government. Count me in with them. Yes United States, PLEASE GET OUT OF THE WAY if you're not going to lead!

...not one of the allies that had generally stood with the U.S. the past two weeks — Australia, Russia, Canada — rose in its defense. The near-total isolation of the U.S. on climate change — which had been building since its rejection of the Kyoto Protocol nearly a decade ago — was now obvious, apparently even to the U.S. Dobiansky turned to speak. "We've listened very closely to many of our colleagues here during these two weeks, but especially to what has been said in this hall today," she said. "We will go forward and join consensus." Boos turned to cheers, and the deal was essentially sealed.
Now what was so difficult about that? The U.S. had to be ridiculed and shamed into doing something positive... Like I said, thank goodness the Whos down in Who-ville made themselves heard. Thank you to the European Union and the developing countries who refused to keep silent. To the thousands of supporters and activists who made the trip to Bali. And thank you even to Australia, Russia and Canada who kept silent for once.


The Closing Press Briefing by Yvo DeBoer


While many will argue and debate on the outcome of the conference, I see this as a positive step. And let's see where we can go now... But remember, it's not just about these decisions made by the world's governments. It's about each of us individually and our attitudes about taking care of our beautiful planet, what we do and what we say. I challenge everyone to permanently change a habit or two in your lifestyle in the next month that conveys your commitment to our planet and all life that resides here.

The Future is Green

Yesterday, my day began with the BBC reporting on the Climate Change Conference in Bali and hearing parts of Al Gore's speech. I was filled with hope. A smile spread across my face as I listened to Gore.

A few excerpts from Gore's speech follow:

"I am not an official of the United States and I am not bound by diplomatic niceties. So, I am going to speak an inconvenient truth. My own country, the United States is principally responsible for obstructing progress here in Bali. We all know that. But my country is not the only one that can take steps to ensure that we move forward from Bali with progress and with hope."
Perhaps, the world can move along a path towards preservation without a commitment from the U.S. We probably don't have a choice, at least for a little while longer.

"Over the next two years the United States is going to BE somewhere it is not now. You must anticipate that."
I can only hope! The last 7 years have been tense to say the least. I remember the shock I felt when I heard that the U.S. had walked way from the Kyoto treaty in 2001. This sick feeling fell into the pit of my stomach had has loomed there since.

"These are not political problems. They are moral imperatives."
What will we choose? I know what I choose daily, but it's frustrating when I see people around me being so wasteful. My family and I make permanent changes in our lifestyle frequently to help preserve our beautiful world, but there is always more we can all do. My new favorite blog is Green as a Thistle. The blog is best described by the author herself. "I decided to take on a bit of a challenge: Spend each day, for an entire calendar year, doing one thing that betters the environment. The idea is that everything I do, I keep doing (so if I switch brands, it's a permanent switch; if I turn down my thermostat, I keep it down), so that by day 365, I'll be living as green a lifestyle as it gets. I hope, in the end, this proves that being an environmentalist doesn't necessarily have to require massive change, compromise or Greenpeace levels of dedication — it can be simple, and inspiring." This woman is an inspiration to me and has got me thinking of my own personal Green Attack. Waa...ha...ha...

"We are one people on one planet. We have one future."
Too bad we have one rotten government ruled by huge corporations standing in the way of doing something truly significant to protect our one planet, our one people, our one future!

Below is about 9 minutes of Al Gore's speech at the conference. It is definitely worth checking out!

Al Gore in Bali

Wordy Wednesday

Scott and I saw Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett on Saturday night performed at IPFW. This is one of my favorite plays! I enjoyed it, though the production was somewhat startling to me as it was produced in a very vaudville-ish fashion. I personally find the play so filled with such meaningful dialogue that first of all the laughter that ensued in the audience caused us all to miss some lines. Secondly, the audience REALLY got on a roll and took the laughter too far as far as I'm concerned laughing at Didi and Gogo as they contemplate suicide, laughing at the character Lucky who is a servant with a rope tied around his neck and is called names like pig and hog and laughing in Act 2 as Pozzo has fallen and is calling for help. Like I said, I prefer a bit more serious production of this play, but the actors in Saturday's performance were very good and overall it was enjoyable. Best of all, Scott and I got to spend the evening out together.

Some of my favorite lines from Waiting for Godot...

We are all born mad. Some remain so.

Let us not waste our time in idle discourse! (Pause. Vehemently.) Let us do something while we have the chance! It is not every day that we are needed. Not indeed that we personally are needed. Others would meet the case equally well, if not better. To all mankind they were addressed, those cries for help still ringing in our ears! But at this place, at this moment of time, all mankind is us, whether we like it or not. Let us make the most of it, before it is too late! Let us represent worthily for once the foul brood to which a cruel fate consigned us!

Why are we here, that is the question. And we are blessed in this, that we happen to know the answer. Yes, in this immense confusion one thing alone is clear. We are waiting for Godot to come.

We wait. We are bored. (He throws up his hand.) No, don't protest, we are bored to death, there's no denying it. Good. A diversion comes along and what do we do? We let it go to waste. . .In an instant all will vanish and we'll be alone once more, in the midst of nothingness!

The tears of the world are a constant quantity. For each one who begins to weep, somewhere else another stops. The same is true of the laugh. (He laughs.) Let us not then speak ill of our generation, it is not any unhappier than its predecessors. (Pause.) Let us not speak well of it either. (Pause.) Let us not speak of it at all.



And my favorite quote in regards to Godot by Samuel Beckett himself... "If I knew who Godot was, I'd have put it in the play."

Be Wary of the Forwarded E-Mail

I get a variety of e-mails forwarded to me as my list of contacts grows and grows. Such is the world of the Internet and e-mail. Most the e-mails are just for fun like the one of "The Wedding Dance" which has gained such notoriety. If you haven't seen it, check it out as it is hilarious.



Other e-mails are informative and serious. But lately, I've become wary of these type of e-mails and have gotten in the habit of checking these "informative" and "serious" e-mails on Snopes.com to check the um... honesty and validity of these e-mails. For instance did you know that despite e-mails you may have gotten stating the contrary:


1. Illinois Senator Barack Obama is NOT a radical, ideological Muslim NOR did he swear on the the Koran rather than the Bible when he was sworn into office. Obama's father was Muslim with whom Obama had very little contact with as he was growing up. Additionally, Senator Obama has said that he is a Christian. During official congressional swearing-in ceremonies, newly elected members do not place their hand on any book.

2. George W. Bush does NOT have the lowest I.Q. of all the presidents of the last 50 years. This study never took place and the Lovenstein Institute which is credited with the study does not even exist.

3. Madalyn O'Hair is NOT campaigning to remove all Christmas programs and Christmas Carols from the public schools NOR has she been granted a hearing with the FCC to eliminate the bible from being read on all television and radio broadcasting networks. Mrs. O'Hair has been dead since 1995, but apparently is still a real threat.



The most recent e-mail I received is about some observances Ben Stein made a few years ago on CBS Sunday Morning about Christmas. The e-mail started off well enough with Ben Stein remarking how people seem to "worship" superstars, that as a Jewish person, he is not offended by Christmas trees, manger scenes or when people wish him a Merry Christmas. He then states that "I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians." Fair enough and well stated as I don't think anyone likes getting pushed around for their beliefs.

But about a third of the way through the e-mail the tone of it completely changes and things start to become a little distorted and I can see that right away words are being put into Ben Stein's mouth. Especially at the end as the entire e-mail is credited to Ben Stein and he concludes with an Amen. So I went on over to Snopes.com to discover if my feelings that something was amiss were accurate. Sure enough at the point in which the tone of the e-mail changes, the author also changes. Ben Stein did author the first part, but not the last.

The e-mail disturbed me so much because it keeps trying to convince the reader that we live in a hugely secular country and this is the reason for our woes. I think the e-mail propagates a continued us versus them mentally which helps no one. I find it hard to understand why some Christians in the United States feel so threatened. 80% of our country's population profess to being Christian while only about 14% percent claim to be atheists . Those who feel so threatened by those 14% should really try living in Sweden for awhile where 69% of the population claim to be non-believers.

One of the things that struck me most about this e-mail is the portion about Dr. Spock. "Then Dr. Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide)."

This really got my dander up as the part about Dr. Spock's son is an outright lie. How perverse of people to say such terrible things! And additionally, Dr. Spock encouraged parents to be more flexible and affectionate with their children. He never said not to discipline children AND I get tired of people pointing their fingers at this guy and blaming him for the "problems" with the last few generations of children. When will we all start taking responsibility for our own choices that we make in regards to well, everything?

Another part of the e-mail states "I think it all started with Madalyn O'Hair (spelled completely wrong) who complained she didn't want prayer in schools and we said okay. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school and we said okay."

Wow! I wonder if the author of this would be okay with children reading the Koran or other holy books in school. Just wondering... considering people want Philip Pullman's books pulled off library shelves everywhere. And by the way, several of my students over the years brought their bibles to school or books of children's Bible stories to read during our daily silent reading time and I never once refused this. Why would I?

Anyway if you'd like to read the entire e-mail, you can link to it here.


So all I'm saying is when you get these "informative" and "serious" e-mails, check them out first for validity before you send them along. Especially, if they could be hurtful to other people (i.e. Dr. Spock's family). We all know the power of the Internet in our lives. Let's try to use it for the best of things, shall we?

Wednesday Again? Already? Hhhm...

Well, this Wednesday sure did sneak up on me! Here it is Wordy Wednesday again and I have not posted since last Wednesday. That is mostly due to me having my head stuck in a book, actually books for the last 5 days.

I had to take a break from many of my "extra-curricular" activities so I could turn my attention to Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy which begins with the book, The Golden Compass. I've actually had the trilogy sitting on my shelf now for more time that I'd like to admit. But as you know if you've ever visited my house, my husband and I probably own more books than we'll ever possibly be able to read. We don't mind though, we've learned to decorate with them!

Anyway, I receive lots of e-mails from a variety of sources and have recently been bombarded with e-mails calling for a boycott of the upcoming "controversial" movie, The Golden Compass. Don't you just love controversies? It amazes me how much energy people will put into boycotting and banning other people's thoughts and creations. My curiosity piqued, I put all other reading materials aside and dove in. I'm half way through the second book. The books are excellent reading so far, especially for a fan of fantasy such as myself.

For now, I will leave my commentary at that and leave you with everyone else's in the true spirit of Wordy Wednesday. Each quote is linked to a full online article.

"They’re intentionally watering down the most offensive element,” Donohue said. “I'm not really concerned about the movie, [which] looks fairly innocuous. The movie is made for the books. ... It's a (pro-atheist) deceitful, stealth campaign."

Calgary Bishop Fred Henry said there are more pressing issues facing Catholics than debating a children's fantasy novel.

For anyone who hasn't yet read the books, Tom said they would appeal to anyone who likes to ask questions about the world we live in and what things mean.

The plot involves (in the books at least) one side (the Church) trying to rid the world of sin by committing atrocious acts against children, while the other side, headed up by Lord Asriel, which is trying to stop them, are not clearly the "good guys" either. Unless someone has substantially changed the plot for the film to something that is certainly not in the book (and I doubt that, given that New Line would like this film to be marketable), saying this story is about a little girl trying to kill God is both misleading and irresponsible.

Welcome to WORDY WEDNESDAY

So on lots of blogs, I often come across "Wordless Wednesday" posts where the authors of blogs simply post a picture. I get this idea as Wednesday can be a trying day in Western Society. It's the middle of the week and any rest saved up from the previous weekend has been spent. At the same time Friday is just too far away to seem like it is within our grasp. Hence, brain cells are fried.

But here at Bicycle Built 4 Two, I have once again decided to swim up mainstream and from this day forth declare every Wednesday as Wordy Wednesday in which I will post quotes or poems or both from people in the world who have at some point expressed themselves in such a way as to make it unforgettable.

Feel free to post quotes or poetry you enjoy in the comments or e-mail me some of your favorites and I'll post 'em.

I'm just a human being trying to make it in a world that is very rapidly losing its understanding of being human. John Trudell Native American Activist, Poet & Musician

Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater. Albert Einstien US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. Edgar Allen Poe US Author (1809-1849)

Things do not change; we change. Henry David Thoreau US Author (1817 - 1862)

When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other. Chinese Proverb

If we value independence, if we are disturbed by the growing conformity of knowledge, of values, of attitudes, which our present system induces, then we may wish to set up conditions of learning which make for uniqueness, for self-direction, and for self-initiated learning. Carl Rogers US Psychologist (1902 - 1987)

If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space. Anonymous

Post Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving can be a wonderful time of getting together with family and reflecting on all the things we have in life to be thankful for, but there is one thing I hate about this holiday. It plays a huge part in continuing our stereotypes of Native Americans. Recently, I found myself cringing when it was mentioned that a child I know had dressed up as an Indian at school last week, because her teacher had told the students to come to school dressed as either an Indian or a pilgrim. I could not bear to ask for a description of what was worn by her or her classmates. I can only imagine... How many "Hows" do you think were uttered during the course of the day? It makes my head spin.

It infuriates me how ignorant so many classroom teachers are. I used to hate the month of November when I was a public school teacher as I watched so many of my colleagues perpetuate stereotypes and not even bother to teach the real story of Thanksgiving or discuss differences between the many tribes of the Americas. When I made my concerns known, I was always met with a glazed silent expression or an, "Oh, but the kids think it's so fun."

One of my favorite poets, Joy Harjo recently posted on this subject on her website. A portion of the post states the following:

THE NATIVE AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE
"Young children's conceptions of Native Americans often develop out of
media portrayals and classroom role playing of the events of the First
Thanksgiving. That conception of Native Americans gained from such early
exposure is both inaccurate and potentially damaging to others," says
Debbie Reese in "Teaching Young Children About Native Americans," an
ERIC Digest (May 1996).

For example, a visitor to a child care center heard a four-year-old
saying, "Indians aren't people. They're all dead." "This child," Reese
says, "had already acquired an inaccurate view of Native Americans, even
though her classmates were children of many cultures, including a Native
American child."

Check out her entire post here www.joyharjo.com

Thanksgiving

Happy Turkey Day!
(the immigration holiday)

The Campaign to Protect Children's Nutrition

Corporate profiteers and their backers in Congress want to privatize Food Stamp eligibility determination, which means auctioning off nutrition for needy children, the elderly and disabled to corporate bidding.

Food Stamp privatization results in multibillion dollar contracts for big corporations like IBM, MAXIMUS, Accenture and others. But for millions of needy children, elderly and disabled Americans, it means their next meal could depend on the whims profit-seeking CEOs, not professional, experienced caseworkers whose only motivation is to help those in need.

In July 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives voted for language in the Farm Bill that prevents the Administration from allowing states to bypass the existing prohibition that prevents companies from taking over the process of deciding who is eligible for Food Stamps. Now the Senate must act.

The Food Stamp program has its origins in the 1940s, as many American families struggled to put food on the table due to harsh economic conditions. Enacted into law in the 1960s, the modern Food Stamp program now enables as many as 26 million Americans each month to afford the nutritious food they need for good health.

To guard against corruption, federal law required that only qualified, merit-based civil service employees would determine who was eligible for Food Stamps. But in the mid-1990s, major corporations began lobbying for huge state contracts to take over most of the eligibility determination process for Food Stamp, Medicaid and other public welfare programs.

These efforts failed miserably in Texas. And despite the Texas disaster, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels seems determined to force his State down the same road. So to protect accountability and the integrity of the Food Stamp program, a coalition of anti-poverty, anti-hunger, women’s, children’s and labor groups created the Campaign to Protect Children’s Nutrition.

The campaign won a provision in the 2007 Farm Bill that bars the administration from allowing states to auction off nutrition for needy Americans to corporations. The House approved the language in August and the Senate will act soon. But big corporations are now doing all they can to strip the Farm Bill of the anti-privatization provisions.

Make your voice heard on this matter and protect those in our country who are greatly in need of the Food Stamp program. Head to www.needovergreed.org and sign the petition. Call or e-mail your congress people. If enough of us speak out, I believe we will be heard.

Hat tip: Left in Aboite
Thanks John for the post!

Samantha Power - The Age of Genocide

Last night I attended the Omnibus Lecture Series at IPFW with two great friends. It was better than a night out at Henry's. :) The presenter was Samantha Power and the topic was the Age of Genocide. Power is a fantastic speaker.

When she was just in her mid-twenties she covered the wars in the former Yugoslavia for U.S. News & World Report, The Boston Globe, and The Economist. Holy cow! Let's not even discuss what I was doing in my mid-twenties! She states, “The fact that you could see those men, in real-time, looking just like those black and white pictures we had all seen from the Holocaust, made a profound difference on whether people were prone to call their congressman. Congress, in turn, made a profound difference on the executive branch to respond.”

Power's lecture focused on genocides throughout the world in our recent history including Rwanda and she discussed the "tools in America's toolbox" that our government has to try and deal with such atrocities. She explained how the toolbox was never even opened to prevent the killing of hundreds of thousands of people, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE! Power told of remarks made by a congress person to the press during the 1994 mass killing in Rwanda as the press wondered why nothing was being done. The congress person stated that their office had received many calls on the threat to the endangered gorillas in Rwanda during this time, while not one call had been made by constituents concerning the people of Rwanda. Makes you kind of ashamed, doesn't it?

Powers continued her lecture discussing the current atrocities in Darfur and how she believes that one of the reasons the people of our country are reacting now and putting pressure on our government in regards to Darfur is a result of the lack of awareness and reaction during recent past genocides. Throughout her entire lecture, Power remained adamant that it is the pressure from citizens not just in our country, but in countries around the globe that forces governments to open their "toolboxes" to try to put a stop to genocide.

Throughout the lecture though, I kept wondering where was the media coverage of Rwanda while the genocide was taking place? Why wasn't every citizen who tuned in aware? Why were most of us only acutely aware after it was too late?

And then I started thinking about the blogosphere. I have heard countless journalist complain as of late about bloggers who are "reporting the news". I'm tired of this. Why shouldn't we blog about about what is going on that we are aware of, that we are passionate about, that is often on page 9 in the newspaper or isn't covered at all, that we want to share with the people who subscribe to our blogs? We should.

I have become a blogoholic in the last few months and almost every blog I check daily is a news blog. And the best thing about blogs is that you can, if you are so inclined and I hope most people are, check blogs from various points of view. Hey, some of them aren't easy to read, but I still do. The other great thing about blogs is that they are written by people like me and you. Our views may be slanted, but at least we're passionate! Can we say the same about our media? Slanted? Yes. Passionate? I'll leave that up to you.

Power's lecture touched on many other things which at this point I am still processing, but overall, her lecture focused on how you and I as individuals can make a difference by calling up our representatives and voicing our concerns. Technology has made it easy for us. You can call 1-800-GENOCIDE to connect with your reps today. 1-800-GENOCIDE? Ya, I know it's disturbing, but you can't deny it's easy to remember.

Samantha Power's book Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide was awarded the 2003 Pulitzer for general non-fiction, the 2003 National Book Critics’ Circle Award for general non-fiction, and the Council on Foreign Relations’ Arthur Ross Prize for the best book on U.S. foreign policy. Check it out. It's next on my list. Let me know what you think.

Quiet...

I've taken a few days off after the election to "regroup". I put so much of my time, energy and heart into working to get Tom Henry elected that I think I went through some sort of emotional free fall the end of last week.

Election Day comes and goes and suddenly so many of us are left with a lot less to do... But not really, because I spent last week seeing some friends I hadn't spent time with for awhile, watching some movies with my family, sleeping, getting "back" to work at my store, reading my blogroll daily, thinking introspectively and figuring out what "projects" I want to put my energies into next.

We all need some time to rest and reflect. The result is that hopefully it will help move us forward.

Welcome!

Welcome to our new blog, Bicycle Built 4 Two. This is a blog my husband and I will share as we throw our perspectives about life upon the blogosphere (you have hereby been warned). We started this new blog because as duly noted, our blog Gathering Up The Pebbles was originally started to share the adventures of our family with our family and friends. But as I am sure you have noticed (if you are an avid reader) I have been filling this blog the last few months with info regarding local politics. Once I got started, it was truly hard to control myself! But control myself I have, because trust me on this one, there have been lots of thoughts spouting from my over active brain that I have NOT blogged about.

As a result, we have created a vehicle for such thoughts to spare many of you who just want to see pics of our kids, hear about our adventures as a family and share our world minus the politics and such. Now, don't get me wrong, because of course, our views and actions do effect the lives of our children and will continue to. So, every now and then, you may see a post on Gathering Up The Pebbles that you love or irritates the pants off you. Nonetheless, you will from this day forward find most of the topics you love or irritate the pants off you written about here.