my kids have that book. 2 copies even, though I have no idea where either came from. They also have the companion book called Runaway Bunny. I have learned to detest the book. My kids don't fall asleep to it, I do. When my oldest was about 2 that was one book she had to have read every single night. I got to the point where I didn't have to read any more, I just turned the pages and said the words from memory as my eyelids got heavier and heavier. Since then I've learned to insist on the rule that they couldn't have the same books 2 nights in a row. It helps some. Sometimes my kids still have to wake me up while reading though.

Now onto the subject at hand. I have really enjoyed ER's contributions to the zone. However this one took me 2 sittings, and I still ended up skimming to the end. I have to admit, that like Tom, I was agreeing right along and totally missed the ending. I couldn't believe ER had written it since it didn't seem to belong to the philosophy he put forth previously. At one point I thought I was reading Tom and had to go back and make sure I hadn't misremembered who wrote it. Yes it was THAT long of a post. Then I realized it was far too rose-colored even for Tom, and was trying to adjust my mental picture of ER to account for this article.

Then to find out it was a fake pissed me off. I hate debating with people who can simply take any side of an argument and argue it as effectively as if they believed it to their core without at least stating they are playing devil's advocate. I admit it takes talent to argue the opposition so well, but it wastes the time of the sincere who are there for real-world viewpoints not simply for the love of debate. Quite frankly my view of ER is tainted and I 'm not sure how much I can enjoy reading him anymore since his sincerity will now be constantly in doubt. I bet others feel the same way. There's certainly no rule against such behavior (nor should there be) but it does change the spirit of discussion when you know you are possibly dealing with a fake personality.

My .02

Steve G.