To Bee Friends Well first of all I can see I must be faithful to quick responding lest I get so far behind I give up, and the people who share my concerns and perspective would be dis-appointed. Some others would be happy . To the people who responded with support directly to me and not the list I understand that the bee world is a small world and thats OK in some ways at least there are fewer places to hide. Thanks to you secret admirers who did send some encouraging word and some words of caution. Can I reall be DROPPED from the bee-l list for my opinions ? Who pulls the plug ? Do you really think the powers that be would actually "GET" me if my ideas hit to close to home. Well I know my feelings are pure and without motives except to ignite the fire that maybe required to get some action going on the honeybee problems facing Americas food producers with decling honeybees as pollinator.I don't have anything to sell or anything to gain and I am convinced I am on an important mission. TO L Conner Excuse my emotions and after all the smoke and mirrors I have encountered during the last several years that I have had my mission I do sometimes resort to emotions and I totally agree that facts are what we need in the future dealings with the honeybee problems facing the citizens of the United States of America. I also agree that much more research and a lot more researchers are needed to solve the virus and mite situation. One reader suggested that bee-l is not apolitical forum and that my slurs about about some people will turn away some who might otherwise support me. Well folks now is not the time to worry too much about political correctness as this as been part of the problem too long. We have had very few facts and little research and LOTS of polittical correctness. Hell everybody seems afraid to speak out and be heard. Plenty of examples will follow . Roy your right we would ALL like to hear from the USDA about what they are doing and I doubt if we will hear very much. AND I know that there are a lot of truly dedicated researchers working at the USDA and they are for the most part like most of us afraid to speak out. Good jobs are hard to come by . The leadership of bee work in the USDA must be credited with this situation where everyone is afraid to speak put and after working with the ruthless leadership I Know why they are afraid to speak out. Mr van Westendorp I have spent hours and tons of long distance calls finding out what I could about the issues that I speak and my findings are very disturbing. I know the NZ beekeepers have lots & lots of end of season bees for sale and they work hard at selling them . Too many trails I have traveled leave too much to be desired in the issue of increased movement of bees around the world . Re; D Anderson work the facts exists that without peer review research can be done and documented without total objectivity and with too much senstivity to the clients needs. Honey bee issues are too crtical for comments like "Kashmir being a relativly harmless bee virus" are far too simple for such a thorny problem. Dr M Winston wrote a super article regarding the need for peer review.About Dr . Shimanuke holiday (6wks) several years ago regarding bee research it was a holiday. I have had several conversations with the Shimanuke and he did zero research on NZ bees save and except "OBSERVING" some "Nice .gentle , little bees..." Give me a break . He has left the American Beekeeper uninformed about NZ bees . He did not one test on the NZ bees by his own account. I have asked him for results of his research in NZ and he has none.. I will some times have to crawl up on my soapbox in hopes that some one will notice. The feelings of impotence and hoplessness felt by most when dealing with GOVERENMENTS is hard to overcome ,and I will work hard to keep the focus on the issues. I must sign off for now as it is 6;45 am here in paradise and the sun is shining and about 70 degrees. I will respond to the reportin errors corrected by Wallingford in my next posting . Hoping some will be moved to action. Sincerly Walter & Elisabeth Patton, 27-703 A Ka' ie'ie Rd., Papaikou HI.,96781 Ph./Fax. 808-964-5401 E-Mail hihoney@ilhawaii Beekeeper and Bed & Breakfast Owner in Hawaii http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/hihoney.htm http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/beeware.htm http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/lamalani.htm