The winter weather seems to have made everyone very cranky. We all could tell stories about doctors who are saints and some who are insensitive. The same could be said for LLL Leaders or LCs or anyone else. What is the point? This type conversation just creates hostility and resentment and serves no useful purpose because it generates defensiveness rather than dialog. Remembering what Dr. Neifert or Dr. Lawrence said ten years ago, or what they didn't say right on tv scares me. Hell, I'd be so nervous if I went on tv I'm sure I'd say something real stupid and you all might hang me. If anyone quotes me ten years hence on something I've tossed off during a lecture, I'm pleading insanity. During my rabble rousing days in the 60's and 70's I became fond of the phrase: Don't mourn; organize. I have little patience with pointless complaining. Strategies to change things can always be devised, and if people are willing to stay the course with persistent action they will see results. This is true for changing birth practices, bfg, and all other sorts of seemingly impossible dreams. Our own Chris Mulford is an inspiring example. Year after year she tirelessly organizes people to lobby to improve the status of women's lives. She shows up at meetings where all the high-powered leaders are and is often the one voice there speaking for the inclusion of breastfeeding as an issue on the table. Can you imagine the endurance THAT takes? Gail Hertz wrote a dandy little book to try to improve doctor-delivery of bfg services. Kathy A. and Kathy B. created Lactnet so LCs wouldn't have to feel so isolated. Rob just clipped his first tongue-tie. Pam Wiggins' reasonably priced book made it into Walmart where countless moms will now haveaccess to her good bfg advice. Tom Hale, gentleman that he is, not only educated himself on the issue of medications and mothers milk, but answers all our pleas for help on drug questions so self-lessly. Laurie Wheeler is a media watch-dog in her 'spare' time. Jack takes our phone calls and emails on difficult cases. Marsha Walker fights the formula company claims in well-researched, carefully written articles. Anna Swisher (a LLL Leader from Austin with a whole bunch of kids and a new baby) joins ILCA and pays her money so she can get the Journal of Human Lactation. And she plans to READ it! It is easy to get bogged down about everything that is wrong. The way I chose to look at it is that I am lucky and privileged to live in a time when the benefits of breastfeeding are so widely acknowledged, and when bfg. science is exploding with exciting discoveries, and to be in a field with so many excellent minds and committed individuals. When I hear about problems I just think, well, we still have a lot of work to do. Then I try to get busy. Personally. If I am doing what I am supposed to, I don't have any time left over to complain about what you aren't doing right. Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSEd, IBCLC Austin Lactation Associates, Austin, Texas http://www.jump.net/~bwc/lactnews.html *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html