I'm from the government, and I'm here to help

Thought I'd start a thread keeping track on what bureaucrats are up to.

For example, the US president has decided to save the bees:
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/22/politics/honey-bees-protection/

I can't see how this could ever go wrong...

This is a great idea. Hopefully, there will be some good people used as council for this project. Unfortunately, I have no confidence that anyone outside of modern industry leaders are going to be placed in charge of such an endeavor.

It's rarely the idea that's bad, it's almost always the execution.

cant solve the problem with the same thinking that created the problem.

i wont hold my breath for a govt solution.

I'm x-posting this because I think it's a good example of our government doing something positive.

I think the fact that they actually installed the first hive ever at the White House is way more impressive and influential than any "Task Force" could be.

If it is officially 'proven' that pesticides and herbicides are a prime factor in killing pollinators it will put the Department of Ag in the crosshairs of the new task force.

A positive way things could go is more education and change in the direction of no till, less pesticide use on a broad scale.

Videos like this may be hinting at a way the large scale ag system could change for the better, while helping pollinators. With a little more support maybe farming will collectively back off the massive amounts of poison, water waste, Gmo use, etc..




You never know... it could happen.

Zach Muller wrote:
A positive way things could go is more education and change in the direction of no till, less pesticide use on a broad scale.

Unfortunately, the USDA is promoting no till and herbicides to kill the cover crop being planting into.

Cj Verde wrote:

Unfortunately, the USDA is promoting no till and herbicides to kill the cover crop being planting into.

Yeah, you are right. They are for now.


It is undeniable that the big fertilizer/seed producers are so influential that they own the government in some ways. That makes it hard to imagine things will ever change. But to me, there seems to be a rising awareness and concern about the environment in at least a part of the general population. The task force and Barracks beehive will make a lot of people think twice about bees, which hopefully will have a positive effect in its own right. (and lead them here to learn about permaculture.)

Even if the task force ends up drawing ludicrous conclusions and doing highly sketchy things. Like a widespread dispersal of genetically modified bees made by Beeologics, a unit of monsanto

I try not to mix politics with pleasure (beekeeping), so I will keep it simple. Problem solving is most productive when done by those directly affected and involved in it. Problem solving is least productive and many times made worse when done by those that want to control the problem more then solve it.

Zach Muller wrote:
Even if the task force ends up drawing ludicrous conclusions and doing highly sketchy things. Like a widespread dispersal of genetically modified bees made by Beeologics, a unit of monsanto

From Beeologics: "Through continuous research, scientific innovation, and a focus on applicable solutions, Beeologics is developing a line of RNAi-based products to specifically address the long-term well being of honey bees, ....."

I read this, RNAi-based products, as round-up ready bees. Who knows what will happen when/if these franken-bees are released onto the world? This administration is so far up Mon$anto's butt, that Mon$anto can push anything through no matter the safety concerns. I can only hope that this administration is too busy with other things and will not have time to mess this up, too.

I agree that the solution will only come from the people. A solution is to get gmo's labeled or prohibited. Then stop the gov't subsidizing of agriculture. Also, a large enough number of consumers requesting clean, wholesome food can change things a lot as well. Money talks As long as we keep moving in the direction of solution, we will get there. Hopefully, in time to save the bees and the other pollinators.

Amos Burkey wrote:This administration is so far up Mon$anto's butt, ...

We're drifting a little into cider press territory.

I just want to point out this administration is no worse than any other, and it deserves at least a few bonus points for keeping an "organic" garden at the White House over some loud Monsanto complaints ("hey what's wrong with non-oganic?").

The promo bee video didn't say if the hive at the White House was treatment free but level 1 on the eco-scale is dramatically better than level 0.

Good point CJ, and thanks for reminding us that politicians aren't entirely evil all of the time

It seems the white house has progressed up one level on the Wheaton scale of environmentalism. Good for them.