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