Re: George Ball's NYT op-ed article

**Fran f*@juno.com**

Where are these unpublished letters coming from?

Fran

Maryann Whitman wrote:

>Another unpublished letter to the editor:
>
>To the editor:
>George Ball ("Border War" Op-Ed, March 19) argues that the border 
>control options for plants are to either allow or outlaw the importation 
>of all non-native species. Invasive plants cause economic damage to the 
>US totaling $35billion/year, and most are intentionally introduced for 
>ornamental purposes. Paradoxically, only about 5% of introduced species 
>become invasive and cause harm. The other 95% never escape and instead 
>generate benefits as garden plants and crops. Invasive species can be 
>accurately identified prior to introduction, making it possible to 
>exclude harmful species while allowing beneficial ones. It is a shame 
>that Ball didn't consider this middle ground option, because it is 
>closer to where the opinions of most scientists, environmentalists, 
>plant sellers and policy makers lie. Indeed, the Department of 
>Agriculture may soon begin screening non-native plant species for 
>invasiveness. This would be a vastly different, and vastly more 
>desirable, option than either of the extremes offered by Ball.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Reuben
>Department of Biological Sciences
>University of Notre Dame
>
>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 Marge Talt
>Sent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 1:49 AM
>To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum
>Subject: Re: [GWL] George Ball's NYT op-ed article
>
>Thank you, Dan.  Good point regarding the substitution of people for
>plants.  Considering that we are a nation of in-comers on the human
>side, it does seem unfair to expect all other life forms to all
>originate here.
>
>Those who excoriate all 'exotic' plants would have a very meager diet
>should their desire to ban all of them become reality.
>
>Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
>mtalt@hort.net
>Shadyside Garden Designs
>
>----------
>  
>
>>From: Dan Clost <dan.clost@sympatico.ca>
>>That's a terrific post, Marg. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a
>>    
>>
>great 
>  
>
>>deal. Thank you.
>>
>>After reading Panayoti Kelaidis' quote I substituted the word
>>    
>>
>people for 
>  
>
>>plant for this exercise.
>>How far back would we go to determine native and invasive?  Why
>>    
>>
>would this 
>  
>
>>be different from plants? Should we all go back to our "native"
>>    
>>
>lands?
>
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>  
>
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