Dear Anne, Thank you for your post.  I would like to take this
opportunity to clear up a few misconceptions, and to offer my
perspective as listmother of this list since 1995, and list originator.
I have seen many discussions come and go on Lactnet.  I have seen many
email explosions of anger regarding various topics, including
circumcision, sexism, politics, etc.  I am *not* a moderator...as that
would imply that I have the ability to see posts and approve them before
they are posted, and this is definitely not the case. The other
listadministrator volunteers also do not have this ability, and are not
moderators. Our list is unmoderated and fairly open.

I was not admonishing so much as requesting. Small point, but it is a
tonality thing, I guess.

The subject of POWs is a very volatile one. It engenders emotions that
run high, for all of us. We have people and professionals from all parts
of the world here, including Israel, US, some Islamic countries, ...I
think we are over 50 countries at this time. The chances of getting into
trouble discussing breastfeeding and related lactation are much less
than if we get into politically related discussions. I can vouch for
this from my own personal experience over the years. And, to tell you
the honest truth, it is hard to keep discussions  on the straight and
narrow when emotions run high, and that, guys, falls to me and my fellow
volunteers....this takes time, to take note, and lead and guide
discussions when emotions do fall into the category of politics, war,
death, and sacrifice.  Many people in the world are in danger at this
moment...I am not insensitive to this. I am, however, not able to deal
with a big hoo hah on Lactnet at the moment if one, in fact, develops. I
have a kid waiting to hear from colleges any second, and another one who
is down with the flu/vomiting/fever, and I myself am fighting this off.

I try to take LLL's lead and keep to one cause, that of supporting
breastfeeding professionals through this forum. I am not unaware that
much can be learned from a discussion of the fallout of such events as
are now taking place around us. However, the swirl of these events can
really lead Lactnet into a different space, and one where I am not
willing to go at this moment. There have been numerous posts in the past
few days about the various facets of breastfeeding in emergency
situations, etc, that have been valuable and generated excellent content
and threads. The subject of one POW and his wife and her situation is
slightly different, in that we all can appreciate the magnitude of her
suffering, and discussing that would not be furthering our knowledge of
breastfeeding or lactation.

My goal is to steer the discussion only when necessary, in order to make
Lactnet a viable and welcoming place for anyone who supports
breastfeeding professionally.  I hope that this list can appreciate
where my efforts are leading, and excuse me if I am being extra careful
not to create a situation where all are welcome and no one feels
excluded due to religion or political belief.

Kind regards,

Kathleen

I

Date:         Wed, 26 Mar 2003 21:02:25 -0800

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Reply-To:     Lactation Information and Discussion