I think that one of the things that has happened is that Dr. William Sears
was put on a pedestal.  When we put mere mortals on pedestals and they do
something human like making a mistake, then their fall is far more
devastating for everyone.  The level of anger is greater because of the
distance of the fall.  That is not to excuse the mistake only to say that it
is a lesson for everyone.

I do believe in forgiveness but I am at this point not sure what we are
forgiving.  What is Dr. William Sears association with Martek?  Will it
continue?  Martek collaborates with all the major infant formula companies
around the world.  How can a physician that espouses breastfeeding not know
about the WHO Code?  Is this possible?  And if this is possible, what can we
do to change this?

I am beginning to wonder why this quick need to stop discussions about this
issue.  Its like the dysfunctional family who rather than discuss the
important issues
of their dysfunction bury their concerns and resort to ignoring the problem.
This is not to say that we should spend time discussing the rights and wrongs
of Dr. Sears.  Rather we need to reflect on why this happened.  We need to
start asking some hard questions all the way around.  Why has all this
breastfeeding research in the 80's become an investment in infant formula
feeding?  How has the drug companies gotten such easy access to breastfeeding
research?  And why isn't this public knowledge?  Why is the US Army investing
in human milk research?  Dr. Sears is just a very small part of the picture
and we need answers.  We need to put our government on notice.  What is going
on?

By the way I happen to like being called a "mad mommy."  It's the moms of the
world who crusade for change and make it happen.  I look at mothers in
Ireland and Russia who have gotten tired of the bloodshed and start social
movements to make changes.  It was mothers against drunk driving in the US
who made significant changes in the law that I do believe has made a
difference in the amount of drunk driving.  I am proud to be a mad mommy and
take no offense for the term.
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC and sometimes mad mommy....

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