Let me share first of all that I have always assumed that what I have posted
publicly over the internet (be it Lactnet or forums on Compuserve) is just
that--public!  If I want to say something that I might not want shared, I send
it by email.  I find it hard to believe that anyone who posts publicly to a
group with over 1000 subscribers would expect the postings to be privileged
communication.

I confess I have shared postings with others.  I have shared information with
the nurses at the hospital where I am employed, with physicians, and
occasionally with breastfeeding mothers.  Since Lactnet is not a restricted
listserv, any of these people could be signed up on their own.  We know that ABM
company reps, Ezzo folks and _Bottlefeeding Without Guilt_ authors are lurking,
yet we're not supposed to share occasional postings with breastfeeding
supporters who don't have the time to subscribe?

I think it is completely reasonable to get permission before putting information
in a newsletter or other written form.  However, I think we all ought to abide
by the advice given by the Kathleens in the original subscription information I
received:  "REMEMBER: What you write should be something that you would be
willing to see printed on the front page of the NY TIMES."

Becky Krumwiede, RN, IBCLC
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