To stay or to go, to be silent or to post frequently, ...It's a choice that
we are all free to make, ... Anyone who wishes to lurk can do so at any
time...it is not necessary to sarcastically announce or to hotly debate it.
The door is open for posts  by anyone as long as they pertain to
breastfeeding, and as long as they are not sarcastic, accusatory,
judgemental, off topic, etc.   I and my fellow listmothers work to keep
Lactnet focused so that it fulfills its original purpose.  This is the way
this list works. I know it probably will not fit everyone's needs, but
that's the way it is. That's all we can do and all I am willing to do. It's
a big enough job as it is. The line has been crossed too  many times in the
past few months.... And we have lost many good clinicians who used to post
here, and who no longer want to put up with this kind of thing.

Starting a sub list on the subject of patenting is one option, and is a
great idea.... I encourage this, .as it then allows the subject to be given
the time and attention it deserves.  As someone said, another subscriber
created a list for their own related topic.  Lactnet is not the proper venue
for the full blown emotional debate about patenting. Not for circumcision,
not for immunization, not for patenting of human milk components.  Some of
the posts of late on patenting are not staying on topic. They are not always
objective, and they have  definitely been very judgmental.

There is no silencing going on, just shining the light on the list rules....
We welcome short occasional notes to the point, with information. These
kinds of update posts on patenting of human milk are valuable, and will
inform us all on this important subject.  What is not welcome is judgment
about other people's motives, sarcasm, accusation, extreme defensiveness,
and negative personal implication against others.  It takes Lactnet down. It
takes me down. And as a volunteer, who needs to get taken down? Guess I
didn't sign up for that.

If this does not suit, there are many other options, such as starting the
alternate focus list for any topic that needs more bandwidth...and I
encourage people to do what fits for them.

Please please Please do me the favor of not debating this further, ...No one
has to stay, or go, but the guidelines stand and need to be followed.
Otherwise we have chaos, and that's not going to happen on my time.

Let's get back to breastfeeding, and in the meantime, please hold the
sarcasm and the accusations of censorship.  I don't remember promising to
provide a platform  or pillar for any subject other than what is outlined in
the welcome note. Thanks for your understanding in this matter.

Kathleen  

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