EMPEROR Fish I am afraid you are totally out of your water...

There are people, even bonsai artist, that the Middle East "conflict" is much more than a question of Lobbying.

Especially the day that in the middle of Tel Aviv 23 hard working people of various nationalities where murdered and many others where wounded by two plantains for no reason at all.


Pleas deal with your near door conflicts first.

I made no political comment. I pointed out a tactical similarity in methodology.

Fish.

Fish,
It is not a question of political comment, it is a question of plain manners, as Matt had pointed out it was totally out of place.

Moreover, in your place, if I were educated English person (and not an Israeli barbaric) I would be very careful when judging other people, and at least add that the "tactical similarity in methodology" is to my humble opinion ...
Thank you,

Look--let's get this back on track. The situation in the Middle East is very, very complex, and will not be solved on this forum. This is a place where people of different backgrounds can talk about bonsai where they are. THIS is what will help foster peace and understanding. We're not just playing with little trees guys, we're helping to foster world peace, one tree at a time.

Having said that, back to Pakenham's book. I ordered it from a local through our library (the second book, Remarkable Trees of the World) so I should have it in a few days. I'll be interested to see it for myself. I'm sure the rest of the book beside the negative stuff about bonsai is great.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a

And back on track.
The other day we invite to lunch my sister in law, who is a high school English teacher.
As at this Saturday morning I had a club meeting, the guests arrived before me.
When I arrived home my little daughter told me that her aunt told her that her father is doing very cruel things to his trees, wiring, pruning and pinching.
At first I had thought that "somebody" deserves severe pinching, but I did nothing.
At lunch I asked my sister in law - "why you are eating pickled children?" - She answered - "WHAT?!" - I said you are eating the pickled olives- they are the children of the olive tree…
I am afraid ignorance is shared equally all over the world, the problem is that it is very easy to confuse freedom of thinking with ignorance.

Good response Carmi. I've decided that if I ever hear anyone come out with something like "You're torturing little trees," I'll ask them if they mow their lawn. Of course the response will be yes. Well, they're cutting the tops off of plants every time they do it. For what? An unnatural-looking ideal. I'm ready to go.

Craig Cowing
NY
Zone 5b/6a