Helen,

What a wonderful post about using the legal system!  In Mississippi our
Attorney General, Mike Moore received a *lot* of flak for targeting the
tobbacco companies - until he brought in a mega-buck settlement (which spawned
suits from other states and action by the federal government, looks like
everyone will be getting a piece of the Marlboro man).

I think the main issues were: 1.  marketing to the vulnerable (teenagers)  2.
withholding scientific evidence about the risks.  3.  The increased health
costs borne by the state (for medicaid patients) as a result of the product.
I don't see how the formula companies are any less culpable.  The fact that
the state (through WIC) also purchases the formula doesn't have to weaken its
case (it could strengthen it).

Other activist groups have been very successful at using the court system to
further their causes.  Why not us?

Patricia Gima writes:

<< to see harm done at
every turn and no one's doing anything about it because of ignorance, lack
of courage, and fear of liability.>>

Well, let's educate the ignorant, inspire the cowards (with our own courage,
for starters) and *use* the fear of liability.  Force the decision makers to
really weigh the risks of formula use (to the babies, moms *and* themselves).
Same thing with birth - when women start to sue over the interventions  that
*were* performed instead of just the ones that weren't, then the decision
becomes a little tougher for the HCP with his/her eye on the courthouse.  For
those wonderful HCPs who have their eyes on the *patients* - well, numerous
studies show that even when they make mistakes they are far less likely to be
sued because of the rapport they establish.

Sooooo....what Lactnetter wants to run for Attorney General (Mike Moore is on
his way to the Governor's mansion)?  How 'bout Patricia Gima for President?

Elaine Ziska
Jackson, MS
(where I hope to have a few more days to make basil pesto before we get a
frost that wipes out my garden)