> From: Debi Richtman <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2001 16:04:42 -0800
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Sears' Mad Mommy Comment
>
> Hello Peg :)
>
> My name is Debi, and I'm one of very few people who have stuck up for
> and defended the good that Sears has done on many, many email lists.
> He is also my daughter's pediatrician.
>
> I have had many people completely up in arms complain about the
> condescending attitude that comes across in the Mad Mommy reference -
> and I had been trying to track down the exact quote.
>
> I have read Sears to say that they have received a ton of email from
> angry mothers, LC's, lactivists, etc worldwide - but I didn't read
> that as being the same as him calling angry mothers, Mad Mommy's...
>
> In your response regarding your conversation with him, you said:
>>> It was a joy to hear them talk.  I hope that everyone can forgive
> them and
>>> that next time something like this happens we take the time to get
> all the
>>> facts and to find out what the accused party is thinking before we
> jump to
>>> conclusions and send off our "Mad Mommy" letters. (Dr. Sears said
> he has
>>> been averaging about 20 "Mad Mommy" letters a day.)
>
> Did he actually call them mad mommy letters?  People on many lists
> are very bothered by this...
>
> Any input would be greatly appreciated!
> Debi



Dear Debi, I am hesitant to reply, as I don't want to degrade Dr. Sears at
all.  I am really upset at how hostile lactnet has been towards him and I
really think it is unjustified as I tried to say in my post. The
condescending attitude as you call it is in peoples heads and no where else.
I really don't understand how people can blow something so completely out of
proportion. Perhpsa it is my fault for not writing it clearer.  If I started
something that has people upset with Dr. Sears then I am truely sorry about
that, as my intent was just the opposite.  That said, I will clarify.  AT
the LATCH Conference in Chesapeake, Va. last week Dr. Sears was talking
about his association with the Store brand formula companies and his attempt
to get them to add DHA.  He commented that it may well be a mistake and that
he had certainly made many mistakes in his career. He  remarked that people
were writing to him all the time that were angry or upset with something he
had said or done, and said he got about 20 such letters a week.  IT was
actually Martha who added "we call it our "Mad Mommy" file.  It was meant to
be a cute comment which everyone thought was perfectly appropirate ( we all
laughed) no one that I talked with thought anymore about it.  I'm sorry I
used those words on my post I had no idea that people would be so hyper
critical and tear everything I said apart. It will be along time before I
write on lactnet again, I'll just go back to being a lurker.
Anyway, I hope this helps to clarify things.
Peg

             ***********************************************
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