Kathy A said: The only new organization I am interested in forming is a
new affiliate near my new home....

Thanks so much, Kathy. I hope you weren't too insulted by the question
being asked, but after events here showed me that breastfeeding advocates
were capable of things I never dreamed possible, I was deeply anxious. I am
absolutely delighted to know that you were simply exercising your undoubted
right as an ALCA member to express yourself, even if, like me, that
expression occasionally is a little intemperate. I apologise unreservedly
for allowing a doubt about your loyalty to ILCA to even cross my mind. As I
said, I am very well aware of the enormous amount you did to help create
ILCA. I should have known that you would see that dividing organisations is
a recipe for weakness and disempowerment. I hope my doubt did not hurt your
feelings.

I was saddened that you doubted that you have wide influence. Of course you
do. How could you not? This said to me that maybe you are feeling
under-appreciated right now. I hope that in your new home you will rapidly
find colleagues to support you. Where is Ferndale WA? Sounds a lot closer
to OZ than Chicago?

I agree wholeheartedly that >>any ILCA member has just as much right as any
other one to express an opinion. Maureen has.  I have.  Jane Bradshaw has.
Others have as well.<< The problem is rarely rights so much as
responsibilities. We have an absolute right to speak, but an equal
responsibility to speak plainly, directly, and to those who need to know,
in such a way as to do good and not ill. We all fail sometimes, but that
just keeps us trying to be clearer and kinder, I hope. Plain speaking
upfront from our friends (not behind our backs) is what we all need to stay
accountable. An honest critic is worth more than a million sycophants. I'm
sure ILCA values you and me both for our outspokenness, even if it gets us
into trouble sometimes.

Affectionately, Maureen