Actually, the list focus is "Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues 
and Bee Biology". Informed is the operative word. The list is not for 
beginning beekeepers to ask beginner questions, even thought they do and 
are treated courtesy. It is a great place to lurk, as I did when I first 
joined the list. But I was a member of several beekeeping sites, 
including beginners, so my educational stream was a combination of under 
and post graduate. Learned a lot.

Back in the good old days, when the list was not moderated, the level of 
heat on some subjects, take FGMO or science, was intense.

I actually consider the recent discussion on almonds enlightening. There 
were heated comments, but when you consider what happened, the level of 
heat was actually tempered. I know if I had been one of the Mid-West 
beekeepers who walked into that buzz saw, my forbearance would have been 
limited.

Most really heated threads are on the tried and true. Organic honey is 
one that brings back fond memories, mouldering in the archives. I think 
there should be a movie about the dead that seem to continually arise 
from the archives and haunt this list. Frightening.

We tend to repeat what has been said many times, but for many it is new, 
since they are new to the list. And it is interesting to see new people 
post on the tried and true. I learn from them too. Best not to get too 
set in our ways. Dennis has convinced me there is something behind small 
cells, but I am still not sure (nor is he) what that might be. He 
persisted and I thank him for it.

What I loved about recent threads was they brought out many who normally 
hide in the woodwork, like Jim and Murray. I sit back in awe when they 
post, since I learn each time. They generally stand back most of the 
time since they have been there and done that. But when the topic picks 
up some heat, they join in to give a rational (at least in Murrays case) 
response :) Allen was quiet, but he is always quiet and unassuming.

So I do not mind a little heat. Keeps it interesting. The list is 
actually fairly civilized now. In the recent almond discussion, after 
all had calmed down, there were more apologizes than at a Rodney King 
reunion.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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