Re: George Ball's NYT op-ed article

**"Maryann Whitman" m*@comcast.net**

One such letter to the Times:
====================================================

To the Editor of the New York Times in response to op-ed contribution by
George Ball, March 19, 2006:

A 'debate' is a system of logical argument. What Mr. Ball launched was a
fulminating diatribe based on self-serving emotion, little if any fact and
concerned only with his 'bottom line'. 

He does great disservice to the readers of the New York Times by grossly
misrepresenting the concerns of ecologists, biologists, botanists,
zoologists and countless volunteers who are motivated to preserve our
national heritage, and our continental biodiversity. 

Even on his own turf, horticulture, where one would expect knowledge and
facts, Mr. Ball is irrational. Contrary to his statements, magnolias
(Magnolia acuminata, and others), sycamores (Platanus occidentalis), and
roses (Rosa palustris, R. blanda, R. carolina and others), are all native to
North America, onions (Allium cernuum) and garlic (A. canadense) are too;
kudzu and purple loosestrife were intentional agricultural and horticultural
introductions.

One hardly knows where to start setting straight Mr. Ball.

Maryann 

Maryann Whitman
Editor, Wild Ones Journal 
www.for-wild.org 

Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes: promotes environmentally sound
landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation,
restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Wild Ones is a
not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization.

-----Original Message-----
From: gardenwriters-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[g*@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Graham Rice
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 7:37 AM
To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum
Subject: Re: [GWL] George Ball's NYT op-ed article

There is a great deal of hysteria about the problem of invasives and 
in that respect it's good to see George's more moderate view in such 
an important forum. However, it's worth noting that amongst 
professionals involved in the invasives issue (some of whom, of 
course, the target of his criticism) his op-ed piece has been widely 
vilified.

Firstly, of course, it's said that sales of native plants must be 
impacting the seed industry significantly - hence the need for George 
to write the piece at all! Secondly and far more importantly, there 
are unfortunately some significant errors of fact in the piece which 
have been widely ridiculed and which certainly reduce the strength of 
his argument. For example, he says kudzu and purple loosestrife were 
"accidental introductions from Asia". Not so - not accidental, and in 
the case of purple loosestrife not from Asia.

The piece has caused anger and derision, prompted a letter-writing 
campaign to the Times, and opposing op-ed pieces have also been 
contributed.

The views of some of the invasives professionals are certainly 
extreme (and, says he matching their own cynicism) their continuing 
employment depends on their talking up the issue. There is a need to 
propagate a more moderate view. But in this case, and considering the 
mailing list on which we are now discussing this article, there's 
also a lesson for us all: Get your facts right. [How the famous NYT 
fact-checkers let the mistakes through is another issue...]

Graham Rice
Milford, PA

>I would like very much to initiate a discussion on George Ball's article in
>the Times. Betty Mackey has said she thought it was excellent. May I ask
>specifically what aspect you agreed with?
>
>I expect there are many strong opinions out there. I too have strong
>opinions but I don't intend to rile anyone. I'm asking for opinions.
>
>Maryann
>
>Maryann Whitman
>Editor, Wild Ones Journal
>www.for-wild.org
>
>Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes: promotes environmentally
sound
>landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation,
>restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Wild Ones is a
>not-for-profit environmental education and advocacy organization.
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: gardenwriters-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
>[g*@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of bbmackey
>Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 12:44 PM
>To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum
>Subject: Re: [GWL] Geroge Ball's talk at GWA Philly Flower Show
>
>Last Tuesday I was interviewed on Nellie Neal's radio show in Mississippi
>and one of my topics was trends and the Philadelphia Flower Show, so I
>picked up on some of the themes George Ball had mentioned.
>
>Also I saw George's excellent editorial on native plants in the New York
>Times -- Saturday I think.
>
>Betty Mackey
>www.mackeybooks.com
>
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For GWL website and Wiki, go to
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