1.   Bone, plastic, wood or pearl-handled cutlery Exposure to very hot water can soften the glue holding the handle in place.

2.   Apply heat from a hair dryer to soften glue and make the job easier.

3.   A hot iron, carefully applied, should soften the glue enough so they can be more easily pried off.

4.   If the beams come off without messing up the swirled ceiling, try softening the glue with chemical paint remover and rubbing it off with steel wool.

5.   National self-interest differs from partner to partner, and as wars drag on, that often works to soften the glue holding coalitions together.