Gentlepeople: I have noticed a trend in the BEE-L that concerns me. When I originally signed on nearly 6 months ago, there seemed to be an occasional spat (conflict) between members on the list, but for the most part it was a congenial group of people. In the last month or so I have witnessed several threads that basically were dealing with conflict, put-downs, and apologies for words said either in haste or with subtle forethought. The congeniality that I experienced in my early days on the list and the freedom to ask questions that that encouraged has seemed to evaporate to more than just a degree. It has discouraged me. I have learned a lot from this list and will continue to, I suppose, but some of the joy of sharing with others of similar interests, rare in the world outside of beekeepers meetings and the companions on this list, has eroded by the bickering. Now I am not asking for goodness and light and for everyone to don their halo when they log on, but can we keep the "conversations" we hold on this list based the same courtesy we would show to each other if we met and were talking face to face? It is all to easy to "lash out" at the computer terminal and forget or disregard the other person(s) on the other side of that screen. I have a longer base of experience with the BEE-L than some of the newcomers and can view this trend in context with the other threads I have seen that are constructive and friendly. If some of the newcomers to this list have experienced the antagonism on the list without the benefit of seeing the cooperation and congeniality, I am afraid that they would sign back off again with only a sour memory of the experience. If anything that I have "said" causes anyone to consider flaming my opinion.... I rest my case. Mark Egloff Dayton, Ohio 10 hives