Jan says she considers it censorship to require people to limit their
posts to certain topics.  At first blush, she might be right.  She
specifically addresses Valerie and her posts.  I have many thoughts on
this subject, so I'll try to sort them out for you.  First of all, we
are guests in the virtual living room of the listmothers.  Let us not
forget that.  To that end, they make the rules.  We do not.  We are not
supposed to discuss many subjects that do not directly relate to
breastfeeding and we try to abide by that.  For instance, we may talk
about how circs might affect breastfeeding or how the sucralose-dipped
pacis given during circs can screw up breastfeeding, but we are not to
discuss the pros and cons of the procedure.  That is not within the
realm of this list.  The listmothers have very good, practical and
compassionate reasons for such limitations.  I do not believe censorship
is one of them and I believe it is unfair to accuse them, or us, of
such.  Yes, I have been put off by the tone of some of Valerie's posts,
especially when they sound accusative, but I have also been very
enlightened by many of them, as I think we all are.  I must say,
however, she is not the only one whose posts have sometimes turned me
off so I don't think it is just meant for her.  I certainly hope she
doesn't desert us either!  To make sense of this:

a) The list mothers have a right to limit this list to whatever they
intend it for.  We cannot hijack or stage a revolt to gain control.
This isn't the only list.  As has been suggested, other lists might be
initiated where other topics can be explored more fully.
b) It is not just the information or opinions that have offended some,
it is the tone they are being offered in.  As one poster noted, some
have sounded mean-spirited and accusatory, like we don't truly care
about breastfeeding if we are not as passionate in pursuing something as
the poster is. Or we are ignorant if we do not share the same political
views.  
c) We are all passionate people and it is that passion about
breastfeeding that has led us to this list. However, we have many varied
foci for our passion, different reasons this topic interests us and
different aspects of it that we "specialize" in.  That is a good thing,
not a bad thing.  However, expecting everyone to share your passion
about your particular aspect is not reasonable.  Sharing interest, yes.
d) I don't think the listmoms want us to stop sharing about things such
as Esther posted about that helped her to make a difference in
breastfeeding.  That is within the purpose of the list, I believe.
However, we should leave accusations and recriminations (and sarcasm) at
the door of this virtual living room.  I was always taught that you can
catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.  Sarcasm only offends, it
does not promote understanding.

I have talked about personality types on here before.  What I hear is
differences in personalities.  I was always somewhat amused when I was
in college at those differences.  During the first day of classes when
the professor would tell us what was expected during the semester,
assignments and such, I would just sit back, satisfied that they would
give us more details when we needed to know them.  Others would pepper
the prof endlessly with questions about details until, in exasperation
the professor would say that they would give us more details later, when
we needed them.  That is just one of our differences.  Some of us need
to know everything up front, now.  Others of us don't need or even want
those details all at once.  You see, we are all different.  It takes all
of us.  We are each important with important contributions to make, but
with our own agendas, political viewpoints, worldviews and areas of
passion.  Don't expect us all to be "stepford" lactation supporters and
I think we can all manage to continue meeting in this lovely living
room! 

Marsha, who has learned through this list, much to my surprise, that
other lactation supporters do not share my strongly-held political or
religious beliefs, but I do not hold it against them!  ;-) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Marsha Glass RN, BSN, IBCLC~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mothers have as powerful an influence over the welfare of future
generations as all other earthly causes combined.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~John S. C. Abbot~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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