Ellen Penchuk posted the link to a .pdf of this letter and all I can say is
WHOA.  I'm including the URL again because if you have not read this letter,
you need to do so now.
http://abcnews.go.com/media/us/images/thompsonletters2.pdf
From the "Dear Tommy" to the "Cordially, Clayton" it is written in the
chummy tone one would expect to find between friends - golf buddies or frat
brothers or the like.  High degree of familiarity - Clayton "knows" that
Tommy, like him, doesn't like negative political ads either.
The language used by this attorney acting on behalf of the formula industry
is remarkable in its resemblance to the language of the tobaccco industry.
'Purportedly' increased vulnerability, 'alleged health risks',
'inappropriately cites studies'... and then the clincher, in the penultimate
paragraph: "I'm also concerned that this campaign will increase class action
lawsuits against the medical community and the industry."
If all these risks are just egregiously invented by the highly suspect U.S.
Breastfeeding Committee and others of their ilk, why should any attorney be
concerned about lawsuits?  They should be a cinch to toss out of court as
unfounded.  This letter is the most damning evidence I've seen about
Thompson's relationship to industry - the writer acknowledges the efforts of
Assistant Secretary Keane 'to correct the major shortcomings of this
proposed ad campaign' but personally doubts whether salvaging such a
misguided initiative is worthwhile at all.
Scary.  It would be most interesting to see Thompson's response to this
letter, but I guess that is too much to hope for.
Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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