There is a difference between lurking (or party crashing) and being invited.
We know that there is access to Lactnet by people who do not believe that
every baby deserves her mother's milk for an extended period of time.  And
they can learn a lot by reading what we write.  But to open it with an
invitation changes the dynamics and I vote "No" to this change.

We don't need to waste our time and space debating abm reps on basic issues
instead of sharing in the high level of expertise we have here.

There is probably a place for an all-out debate on issues such as the harm
in "one bottle of abm", or advertisements with pediatricians giving bottles,
or "free" abm at discharge, but Lactnet is not that place.

We tend to feel uncomfortable "shutting people out" or looking as if we are
afraid of being challenged.  This is not the issue.  We have plenty of
opportunity for challenge and non-offensive responses.  IMNSHO, Lactnet
would lose if there were an open invitation to admitted opponents of
exclusive breastfeeding and optimal infant health.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
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