> The overt symptoms were the same as those we now call "CCD".
> Not just "similar", but precisely the same.
>
> These symptoms are unique from everything else we have seen
> in the way of pesticide effects, diseases, pests, you name
> it, and we have seen these exact same symptoms before, long
> before things like Imidacloprid.

Thanks for writing, Jim.

Seemingly, more writing leads to more confusion, so I'll try not to add to 
it by trying to reply, other than suggesting a careful review of posts on 
the topic up to this date, and add that the point of the previous article 
was that we should not rule out any potential suspect just because we 
haven't been able, thus far, to prove a connection -- especially if the MO 
looks like a fit. In recent times, with improved methods, things like 
industrial and consumer chemicals are being found to have previously 
unimagined delayed effects, or effects only in the presence of several other 
influences which may not always, or even often be present, making prediction 
and detection very difficult.

If even everyday, formerly benign things like fire retardants and 
Teflon-coated frying pans are proving suspect, then we must always keep a 
close eye on products that are designed specifically to kill or confuse 
insects and mites -- and if they are *known* to be near the scene of a 
crime, they should always be in the line-up, even if they walk free 
immediately afterwards time and time again.

Does this all have anything to do with CCD?  Is there really an unique, 
newly discovered CCD?  Or is this just another pitch for sympathy?  I don't 
know.  All I know is that there have always been clusters of bee die-offs, 
and each time the claim is made that it is something new.  Sometimes it is 
and the cause is obvious.  Some times it is and the truth behind it is 
covered up or ignored.  Sometimes it isn't.

We're waiting for the jury on this one. 

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