Way back before there were moderators, this list was set up for scientists
and knowledgeable beekeepers to discuss bee biology and other bee topics.
It was open to all, and eventually all showed up.

Science was questioned by the newcomers and the list got fairly hostile and
drove the scientists away. A core of thicker skinned beekeepers with some
science remained and kept the flame of rational inquiry alive (thank you
Aaron). The flame posts got really bad when FGMO came on the scene and was
more faith than science. The true believers left and established bee source
and moderators came into being. Things calmed down and the tone of the list
was set. If you want to talk, be informed and be ready to back up what you
say with facts.

What led to my post was the unfortunate necessity of Peter's having to post
a defense of Randy. It reminded me of the bad old anti-science days.

If you read the recent posts about the EPA you would think we are awash in
chemicals, but we have cleaner water and air than ever before. Truth is, my
objections with the EPA is they go too far to protect us from even natural
amounts of chemicals in the air or water. The recent pulling of neonics in
cotton was more the precautionary principle than solid long term tests.

In California, all the parties are addressing the problem and striving for
a solution, a far cry from what I have read on several posts which seem to
turn the EPA into jackbooted thugs or pushover who kneel to chemical
companies. Beekeepers, Bayer, and the EPA are talking together and
listening, a far cry from what some believe.

Randy spoke of thalidomide which caused major birth defects in children,
but that drug was never authorized by the "corrupt" FDA so the US was
spared a medical disaster. Our rotten government protected us. Europe did
not.

The hoops that any manufacturer has to go through to get their drug or
pesticide on the market are expensive and time consuming. And, after all
that, if the drug is shown to have problems that were not discovered in
research, they are not only pulled but the trial lawyers start their info
ads on TV.

Truth is, most of the bad stuff that is out there is a result of Congress
restricting the FDA from making "natural" health remedies conduct any tests
or trials.We the people wanted that and got it. Many of them are harmful.
Just read Consumer Reports.

Meanwhile, because it is so difficult to get new Varroa treatments, we
beekeeper bypass the EPA and the law and dump a wide variety of
unauthorized chemicals into our hives. Our poor bees live in more of a
chemical soup than any of us.

And those folk who know of drugs going through trials are pleading for the
manufacturer to put them on the market to cure them, even if it might kill
them. I would guess that many of us have experienced this with friends or
family. We are more than willing to bypass the system when we are directly
involved.

We live in an age where cancer is now survivable, and more so every year.
Where many third world killer diseases are rarities in the US.. My Aunt
died from TB in WWII. Polio was all around us growing up. Now a case makes
headlines.

As far as pesticides, I would run through clouds of oil spray laced with
DDT in Key West when they sprayed for mosquitoes. So I got a double whammy.
I am 74.

This list was set up to be informed. Opinions are fine, but not if they are
more a rant than informed.

I consider this an informed rant.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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