Susan writes: >As  part of revamping my lifestyle to cut down on stress,
I've decided to stop wasting so much energy on "negative action"
activities... angry letters, boycotts, ranting and raving about how things
are not getting done.  Being "anti" all the time leads to anger, frustration
and burn-out.

Susan, I agree with you about getting tired of fighting the big corporate
giants and feeling like you aren't accomplishing anything, but at the same
time I know that those angry letters of complaint *can* have a huge impact.
Especially when people get motivated to complain -- about crummy service,
rude treatment, misinformation, and downright dangerous/illegal practices.
Why else do you think "dolphin-safe" tuna exists as a choice in the grocery
store?  Because many someones complained.  Why do you think cosmetics
advertised as "Not tested on animals" exist as a choice?  Because many
someones complained.  Often people *think* their lone voice has no impact,
so they keep silent, but that contributes to the problem.  Places like one
of our local hospitals can keep on being baby-unfriendly and
breastfeeding-unfriendly and they can honestly say "We've never had any
complaints" because all the women who are treated shabbily there don't
bother to write and complain.  I too pick and choose my battles, and I don't
follow up on every example of a company doing something they shouldn't.  But
I do buy store brand chocolate syrup, instead of Nestle's, and while I still
go to Disney Land and buy Disney movies, we don't buy any Nestle's candy
bars with Lion King wrappers (or any other kind of wrappers).  Please don't
discourage people from speaking out against things they think are wrong.  I
do, however, like your suggestion that we put energy into encouraging people
who are doing things we like, as well.  But I also know that one critical
letter out of a thousand complimentary ones carries more weight.

Kathy Dettwyler