I have posted before on the benefits of bfg. supporters getting  better
organized.  This can happen at a local level by forming coalitions of
interested stake-holders under the auspices of an ILCA affiliate or Healthy
Mothers/Healthy Babies, or any number of other entities.  These groups
should be organized enough to have some by-laws that clarify where financial
sources of support may ethically be obtained, and what sources are
prohibited.  (Having wording like this in the by-laws is useful when people
join who are not typically educated about the conflicts connected with
accepting money from industries not in compliance with the CODE.)

One can pay  dues to ILCA, NABA, LLLI in the US, or ILCA, WABA, INFACT, or
whatever country-specific bfg organization is applicable.  If everyone sent
a small contribution to such organizations today, there would be money to do
some of the things folks keep calling for on Lactnet. It is easy to complain
on LN, but at some point rehashing the outrage becomes redundant when one
could pick up a pen and write a check or go out and organize a more concrete
response in one's community. In the meantime, Virginia is right about doing
one's bit as an individual.  Letters that keep on coming are impt.

With regard to how appropriate it is to strategize on an open and monitored
list like Lactnet, in my opinion, not very.  LN is a great info
dissemination service, and general advice on how to contact legislators is
very appropriate.

Megan, collecting signatures is another fine way to do things.  My advice
would be to tailor your own simple letter of a few lines.  Something along
the lines of:

"We are writing in protest of any influence by the formula industry in the
design of a public health campaign to increase breastfeeding rates.  There
is a clear conflict of interest, and it is inappropriate for public
officials to allow profit to dictate public health policy."   Signed:
Then collect a list of signatures from your home town.  Send a copy to your
Congressional representatives.

Remember that the environmental groups have to stay constantly vigilant
because of always encroaching efforts that threaten retreat on previously
successful campaigns.  When the anti-smoking crusaders started they were few
in number.  Look what they accomplished; but it didn't happen over night.
Most of what changed in both environmental and anti-smoking movements
occurred because the public health community refused to back down on the
data about the risks.    Remember when re-cycling was really
counter-culture?  Remember when the answer to "Mind if I smoke?" was "Not at
all. (cough, cough.)"  Today, more people in the US re-cycle than vote and
the smokers (at least in Austin) are all banished to the parking lot.

 The best offense is to do the right thing.  The world will always be full
of pitiless bastards intent on exploitation.  Aren't we lucky we have such a
deeply good cause to champion?

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
LactNews Press
www.lactnews.com
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