> So, now we should go to the public and ask for "loan" money to put more 
> bees back in these same hives, not knowing whether they are contaminated 
> with lethal viruses or lethal chemicals? Knowing that if the bees die 
> again, they will likely go bankrupt and default on the loans? Imagine the 
> US government as proud owner of millions of empty bee boxes of zero value.

What is suggested is actually *loan* money, loaned on sound lending 
principles, not a 'bailout'.  The beekeepers in question would normally have 
been able to tap loans and keep on going, but their banks have gone bust or 
quit lending -- or both.  Even a government guarantee will not necessarily 
get blood from a stone.

There are ways to guess if the hives will immediately collapse or just 
return to the normal probability of collapse.  I think Bob and Jerry can 
comment on this.

Again this is not a problem that someone who has not been in business for 
years would understand.

I recall back in the seventies, going to my bank with a good proposal with a 
government guarantee  and being turned down.

I was somewhat crushed -- I had worked hard on it and it was sound -- and 
the banker saw that so she said to me, "See the sign on the sidewalk?  That 
is what I have to pay for money these days, and we are short.   It is not 
you. Your proposal is good. the problem is ours.  Sorry". 

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