>Apologies if this seems 'preachy'.  

Actually, it does, very much so.

Do you know who reads and contributes to this list?  Have you read our archives?

> I don't want to argue, to let people know what I believe to be the simple underlying picture. 

I have read through all your posts to date and could not find any content whatsoever beyond the first paragraph.

> I've just found this list, having been directed to this thread, and  wonder if I could offer the following thoughts.  I do so as a largely  'armchair' beekeeper, but one who has spend a great deal of time thinking and  learning about the issue.

I think that says it all.

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