Chris wrote:
> The phrase in "Clay's" letter to "Tommy" that hit me was this one:
>
> "The IFC is grateful for what Assistant Secretary Keane has done, but
> the industry simply feels that more must be done if this campaign is to
> be at all balanced."
>
> I question why anyone would expect "balance" in a campaign to promote
> breastfeeding over formula feeding. "Balance" implies two equal options.
> Clay, it's a campaign! Doesn't this imply that one option is being
> promoted over the other?


 Thank you, Chris, for putting this into words. I'd been talking this
 letter over with my husband who sees things more pragmatically than I do at
 times. And he heard my tone of voice (which wasn't quite incredulous or
totally
 indignant) when I was reading the letter to him and interjected, "Anyone can
 pay a lawyer to write anything they want."   They paid the right lawyer.

 This fellow is quite clever in so many ways. The one you've pointed out here
 is blatant. He also refers to his USA position 30 years ago which links him
 as an authority with WIC, blithely ignoring any changes that have been made
 since then, he equalizes the playing field with familiar tone, and makes a
 personal appeal as a father.

 But he contradicts himself. He writes, "The concern lies not with the
 underlying substance, for the industry fully supports breastfeeding..." yet
goes on
 to say in another paragraph, "The formula industry and others question the
 scientific validity of these claims [vulnerability to diseases], and they
 certainly generate skepticism from me as a father and grandfather."

 This is a contradiction, is it not?   This is not full support of
 breastfeeding. Further, he blurs the line between himself and the industry.
There are
 not only no specific arguments cited against "recent studies," he also
ignores
 valid time-honored studies that breastfeeding does alter vulnerability to
 some diseases. His skepticism hasn't brought him to examine the scientific
 literature for himself to make his stand; he conveniently withdraws his
support
 by relying on unnamed others and the formula industry to make this decision
 for him.

 Anyhow, this letter could be used as a prime example of how to be persuasive
 without really addressing anything of substance, and of juxtaposing ideas
 that are not congruous to make the recipient feel alarmed -- and threatened.

 I do so appreciate your paragraphs that followed. Please, dream on!

Mardrey Swenson DC, IBCLC
LLLL

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