i dunno..what is "cruelty"?
Certainly we consider cruelty wrt to humans or pets (dogs, cats, etc) regardless of our relationship (ie, beating a dog, beating a human)...it is cruel regardless of whether we know the person or dog in question, or if that person or dog is "useful" to us (ie, it is equally cruel for your boss who provides a paycheck and a homeless person you've never met to be beaten).
Seems to me that bees are not essentially different than ants....we like bees a bit more (those of us that are beekeepers at least....the family of my friend who died from an allergic reaction to bee stings might feel differently), but biologically they are essentially the same.
Is stepping on an ant cruel? Is destroying an ant colony while planting your garden cruel? Is buying produce that most assuredly displaced ants (and birds, and mice, and rabbits, etc) cruel? Is buying produce that was sprayed, killing many insects cruel? Is it cruel to remove mice from a hive in wintertime?
I can't say I like watching the videos that Michael is referring to (I have seen them), but I can't really define "cruelty" based upon how useful the target is to me...that is a slippery slope I won't go down. If morality is pure (and not based upon self interest), then all organisms must be given equal weight...if it is based on self interest, then one must wonder what people (who don't see a value in you or me) do to _us_ without being "cruel"?
deknow