George writes: I do NOT agree with Peter Borst. I strongly agree with both Dave Cushman and Layne Westover. Be a PROUD BEEKEEPER, tell the world about the VALUE of bees. 99% of the public has no idea about the pollination of the fruit and vegetables that we humans eat. I am sorry if I stirred up the nest a bit with my comments. My principal point is that one has to at least try to see bees through the eyes of the average person and get a sense of what their rights and expectations are. One cannot simply force bees into their lives. As pollination declines they begin to realize they need bees in their lives. Several people have asked me to put bees in their yards. I don't do this because I don't want to spoil their yards. They wouldn't be able to do a lot of the things they like to do, sit and picnic or whatever, with a big cloud of bees scurrying in and out of the hives. By positioning a large apiary in a field near their homes, they get the bees they need and I get the large buffer I prefer. I don't believe 99% is that stupid about pollination. I have 3 kids in school and they all have studied bees and insects at one time or another. People tend to forget these things as they get older, but I never implied that we shouldn't be in the public eye as to what services bees perform. I just think we ought to consider their rights and not make a nuisance of ourselves. Not assume they are a bunch of dumb TV watchers that think food comes from factories. By the way, I would prefer people would address specific issues and not make blanket statements like "I do NOT agree with Peter Borst". Does this mean you don't agree with anything I ever said? Sounds like it does. I mean, I have had said many things that are not particularly controversial. If you make it personal like that, I just won't bother to comment at all. I believe I have as much to offer as any beekeeper on this list, and if my most serious blunder was to sympathise with the average person, well, excuse me. pb