Please read this . . .
April 5, 2012
If you follow this blog, you are aware that my favourite subjects for miniatures are birds. At this time of year the male American Goldfinches are moulting from their muted Winter coats and emerging as the amazingly-yellow, black and white stunners they are in Summer months.
They, and the other Finches and Juncos, are the overwhelmingly-frequent users of our feeders in the big Red Maple in our yard.
Junco Miniature
Because songbirds are so precious and lively and lovely, I feel compelled to ask you to please link onto this story from ‘The Guardian’: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/grrlscientist/2012/mar/21/2
[Be warned: this is NOT a feel-good article–but it is an important one]
Forgive me for this departure from my norm in postings.
weisserwatercolours 
thank you for commenting and helping to alert others!
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Sad, really sad… Thanks for the heads up on this matter. 😦
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thank you for spreading the word about this.
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I just wish it were not so–if it weren’t ‘The Guardian’ I probably wouldn’t believe it. It seems so absurdly cold-hearted. Thank you for helping spread the word Diane–I love your Easter eggs btw.
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Thank you for the information.
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It is hard to click LIKE here…though I’m very glad you shared this as I will NOT buy their products in the future. This is so very disturbing..and certainly criminal!
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I truly appreciate your help in that regard. Thank you very much for your kindness.
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Love the painting and thank you for posting this!!!
I’m going to forward the link to friends with bird feeders.
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No other word for it. I appreciate hearing from you, Robert.
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That’s horrible!!
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Thank you for your take on it–it seems this is all too true. Thank you again.
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Thanks for sharing this, and thanks for lawers and journalists. Profits knows no boundaries.
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It isn’t cynical if it is the truth. A private citizen purposely poisoning songbirds would be vilified and banished from society. This particular crime is barely managing press attention, and will likely go away before their slap-on-the-wrist fine is paid.
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That’s quite a tale of malfeasance. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Cynical me has learned over the decades that many institutions don’t like to have their faults pointed out to them; the most common reaction seems to be to get rid of or discredit any person who points out the institution’s shortcomings.
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Yes, sadly–very sadly–because this product is widely used here, and advertised on TV often, though not lately. It is outrageous! I wonder why it takes a British newspaper like The Guardian to break this story? Thank god for this paper. I used to get it, and think I will re-subscribe.
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That’s quite a disturbing story!
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I appreciate it very much. Happy Easter.
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Lance, thanks for posting this. I had no idea, I will pass this on to others.
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Thank you Kate. I absolutely agree that 60 Minutes or 20/20, or some of the major outlets should investigate this bigtime. Without this intrepid journalist’s work, no one would have know anything at all! Thank you for spreading it around. It is so despicable and dangerous that to do otherwise is letting more birds die.
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Thank you Robert, for weighing-in. I hated posting this. We bloggers only like to post positive things–but at least now we know about the situation.
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(Scotts) corporate conscience is as much a myth as the Easter Bunny. Once, there was responsibility (corporate) and trust (consumer), sadly lacking today.
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It is kind of disgusting that major US media outlets are not running anything on this story. I plan on alerting my neighbors via e-mail and fb.
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I definitely mean the painting :). I also love birds and tried my first with oil, but yours is captivating. Have a wonderful Easter as well.
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I presume you mean the painting, not the link about Miracle Grow (smile). Thank you JoDee very much! Have a great Easter, you and yours.
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Absolutely amazing!
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Thank you Francina! I don’t think you can buy it (thank god), but here it is very very famous and many people use these products in the garden. I have some myself which I now have to get rid of. thank you for putting it on your facebook page!!!
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unbelievable ! Thank you for posting this , Lance. I’m not sure if we can buy it over here but that does not really matter does it? I have shared your link on facebook.
Happy Easter,
Francina
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I know. Very sad.
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cruelty…I get shocked 😦
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It’s a real downer, this news story. It just doesn’t get more sinister–but at least we have our own bit of awareness to be guided by. What concerns me a great deal is that it was exposed by a British Newspaper and I’ve yet to hear 20/20 or 60 Minutes or anyone else run with it. Thank you for following me, and for looking me up and for your concern, Kate!
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Thanks for sharing this. I am hopeful the public will offer its own form of punishment – boycotting future purchases of product/services from this negligent, profit-greedy company. But, like with the BP disaster in the Gulf a couple summers ago, I am doubtful enough will do this. Most of the lawn/garden care product sold at my local retailers is manufacturered by this company.
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I appreciate the word getting spread–a lot.
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Yes to all you say, Lisa–and whereas once we couldn’t marshal the numbers necessary to make an impact, social media make it possible to bring these violators to their corporate knees. Thank you for doing your part for me (I’m not on Facebook, etc)
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I agree. I’m sure we all long for a time when nature had the upper hand and we were content to fit in and work the land and pause to see the beasts and birds, and be grateful. We truly do reap what we sow.
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unscrupulous! I agree with the journalist, the bosses need to be held responsible as I doubt 4million is too much for them to worry about. Thanks to social networks the consumer can be informed and choose not to buy Scotts products – I know I won’t !
Thanks for sharing Lance!
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This is truly a tragic story, and reminds us of all the hazards of interfering with nature. I have birds around my home, who wake me almost every day. And now that it’s spring, I am all the more aware of them and their visits. Fortunately, without offering them anything, and despite the fact that my cat follows their ever movement, they spend a lot of time here, and provide great pleasure with their company. I don’t know why. Because I have no feeder. I do occasionally offer them bread crumbs, though. But since this is the same bread I eat myself, I so not worry that it might hurt them. Thanks for alerting us to the dangers, Lance.
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oh thank you Melanie, very much. I am not connected the way you are to various social media, and that is super of you.
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Lance, this is absolutely outrageous and profoundly upsetting. I am really grateful that you shared this information with us. I will go immediately and pass this on through my various networks. One thing we can do in a situation like this is spread the word.
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It really borderline sadistic to put a poison into food meant for birds with no regard as to the affect it would have on birds. I’ve posted this to my Facebook wall as well…
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thank you for responding and helping
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Thanks for posting this — that’s a pretty despicable corporate crime…. really sick.
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much appreciated, mags. That is very helpful to me!
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Personally I would wrap it in very thick plastic, then tape it up, again with very good wide heavy tape, repeat the process and then put into some sort of plastic bag tape that as well, throw it in the bin.
A good thick plastic will not break down over time and if well taped nothing is ever going to be able to get at the seed.
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It is upsetting and your sharing of the link is very appreciated as I don’t do Facebook, Russell. Thank you for your kindness.
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All of us here know this won’t happen. But you are right about what they deserve! This is a very very widely used and trusted product that is advertised continuously on TV throughout the growing season. People have been using it for years. I myself have a third full container that I now haven’t a clue how to dispose of. Thank you for responding dear mags.
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Hi,
We don’t have this product in Australia as far as I know, but I certainly hope the courts throw the book at them, they should be closed down immediately, never to be allowed to produce anything again, a very, very hefty fine and jail for those directly involved.
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I’ve posted it on my FB page. My mother would be devastated by this news so I won’t share it with her. No worries Lance, no worries at all. It’s important to share this as widely as possible. Have a lovely Easter and I am happy that you’re enjoying the hats!
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I shared your link on my Facebook page. Outrageous is all I can say about the behavior of this huge multi-national company and its executives. It’s hard to believe that there are people out there who are so evil.
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I wish I didn’t have to post something so negative–and so close to Easter, but at least now we all know. Thank you Lorelei and I love your Easter hats.
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I was deeply shocked by that ruling. I think our Supremes are losing credibility rapidly. I agree. It was the undoing of the Constitution. The pendulum will swing back, I hope.
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oh my Lance…I am so upset by this. All of those poor little birds. Will share with all I know! Love your miniature and thank you for sharing this with us all!
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hahahahaha (it isn’t funny–but you have a way . . ) It’s true. I think the Supreme Court ruling of 1886 declaring Corporations on par with individual citizens was the undoing of the Constitution. The Framers never in their wildest dreams imagined a country selling its soul like that. (I speak as American born–yet Canada has virtually the same Law on its books)
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Thank you so much. I have sent it on to the CBC investigative Show, ‘Marketplace’ to see if they’ll do an expose. Thank you again. It is very distressing to me.
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Thank you very much, Chrissy!
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Hi Boyd. Wonderful about the Bluebird! The Mountain Bluebird we have in these parts is related to the Swallow family. Swallows just zoom into the hole of their burrowed nesting place without need of peg or perch. So Bluebirds apparently like finding places already hollowed out, just as Swallows do.
They are wonderful creatures.
Thank you and I am following your postings on your new site.
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That is shocking. Sent it out!
I put a bird house up that is supposed to attract blue birds and a blue bird was building a nest in it by the end of the day. Amazing. I wonder what attracts them to these houses. They are very similar to some of my other bird houses. For one there is no perch but other than that I don’t know. Maybe it is the type of wood it is built out of? Maybe it is the blue bird insignia on the front! 🙂
Sad that people would knowingly destroy nature.
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Appalling! Thank you for sharing. I’ve shared with others.
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I have an FB friend who works closely with the Texas Wildlife people here. She will see this on my FB page. Thanks for letting us know about it. I will be interested to know how much the wildlife people here know about this case.
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I would have questioned it too. It’s just that outrageous. My mother swore by Miracle-Gro eons ago. I can’t image how many thousands of gallons of that stuff she must have poured on plantings of every kind. We don’t buy the bird seed, thank goodness. If a company would do this, they’d do anything for profit. It’s really discouraging to imagine how anybody could be such a human being. Not to mention the stupidity..from a marketing point of view. Since our Supreme Court just declared corporations to be “people” for the purpose of buying government, how about putting these “people” in jail for a very long time. AND, feed them Miracle-Gro bird seed buns…
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thank you so much, Jane. It’s upsetting, but at least we have some say through the products we choose. Have a good holiday this weekend!
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Thank you for this Lance. The Juncos arrived here last week. I have used Miracle Gro in my household for the indoor plants. Never again.
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thank you, sandy.
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There really aren’t words. Thanks very much T.B.–see you after the holiday.
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Thank you, George. One wonders what goes on in these boardrooms. It is almost beyond belief. If it weren’t from ‘The Guardian’, I’d have questioned the source.
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Yes, disposing of the plant food is going to be tricky for me too. Thank you for your supportive remarks.
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thank you very much, Nuno
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with this social media clout, we aren’t powerless. thank you for speaking your mind here, Shelley
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I knew you would find this as upsetting as I did. One wonders how on earth . . . ?
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thank you many times
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thank you again
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I just read the story. Thank goodness I haven’t bought it. Thanks for posting this.
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Wow…that makes me sick. Thanks for raising awareness about this…such a horrible, horrible thing. I really don’t even know what to say.
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That’s so awful i’s hard to believe! Thanks. I tweeted and FB’d it.
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First off…beautiful Junco! 🙂
As for the other part, thank goodness I never bought their seed! Now I’m going to gather up my plant food and figure out how to dispose of it properly. Totally disgusting.
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Love the painting. Thanks for the story and the link.
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I have been a bird lover all my life, and the situation described is heartbreaking. I hope this company is held as fully responsible as possible under the law, and that consumers take note!
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I know I can understand you but this was very important note…
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People need to start boycotting these giants. I have never used pesticides to begin with, I have, however, used miracle grow plant food, which will not be the case this year, after reading this article. If people stood together in retaliation, things might change. For what it is worth, I Facebooked the article you posted, in hopes others will pass the information along.
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Lance – breaks my bird-loving heart. I had not heard about this tragedy – thanks for bringing it to light. Keep painting those beautiful birds. xxoo
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thank you, rhonda. thank you for commenting and helping in this way.
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thank you, nia. it is upsetting, and I don’t like having to post something upsetting.
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I’m with you. I’m sickened by this, and ordinary citizens feel helpless.
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thank you for commenting, Victor.
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No excuses for stupidity. Sad to say there are many consequences every time we mess with mother nature. Thanks for the info.
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What is a $4 Million fine to these folks? This is like penalizing JP Morgan a few million dollars, when they reaped billions, screwing people. Ditto for the other bankers that have gotten away with robbery. The fines in this case should be no less than $75 Million for knowingly distributing a poisoned product. Punitive damages should be severe enough that they actually serve as a warning to these huge companies, forcing them to comply with the laws. Further, any monies (in this case) paid out in retribution, should go directly to the benefit of wildlife in some form. Who gets the money from the lawsuit, otherwise?
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this is so sad and unbelievable… Thank you dear Lance you did a good job by warning all of us… I don’t know are they used in my country too, but I will keep in my mind. With my love, nia
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I love the painting…What a shame about Miracle Gro…At least they had to pay for their crimes. It’s just so sad that all those birds had to lose their lives.
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I also used Miracle Grow before…I will warn my brother about this………
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Your welcome Lance. Just posted it…People needs to be aware..
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[…] Thanks weisserwatercolours for sharing this post.. […]
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thank you Jen–yes, unfortunately I was both buying and using Miracle Grow. Not anymore. thank you.
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Wow, that is cruel.Thanks for sharing………Will do
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