Plese re-read my post... I too was calling for temperance and fairness
and specifically mentioned that we did not have enough info. To quote
only the "sick feeling" part is misleading, I think.
When I said that I get a sick feeling about how much Dr. Sears
monopolizes our library holdings, it is for a couple of reasons:
a) the mothers who have gone to his site or heard of this sponsorship
will be confused about why LLL has so many of his books, whether the
information there is consistent with LLL if they have removed their link
(which was a good, rapid response while we wait for more info.) and why,
if we can't be affiliated with anyone associated with formula
manufacturers, we seem to be "affiliated" with him. I am nervous
(therefore sick) about the questions I may be asked in the coming weeks,
and whether I can fully address them.
2) He does have wonderful books, that are popular, but there are also
other wonderful books that don't receive the same promotion, are not as
easily available at stores, don't have the same glossy appearance, etc.
3) I am suspicious of any big business, slick marketing campaign...e.g.
the possibility that Dr. Sears baby carriers in Target might squeeze out
home businesses, etc. That's the social activist in me that gets sick at
the politics and ethics of business and the idea of favouring one
company over another to the degree that one can become a monopoly. Yes,
LLL chose his books, and each individual Group chooses books, but it is
easier to choose some books than others. I don't have a degree in
economics, so someone can correct me here, but I *do* do research on how
certain types and works of literature are promoted to the exclusion of
others.Perhaps his publisher can afford to send books out for review to
more stores or associations, so that makes it easier for his books to
get attention than books from smaller publishers. Perhaps he is more
closely connected with the big bookstore chains. (One Canadian author
made sure his book were not available in C****** until smaller
bookstores had a chance; that's not what usually happens). In the last
couple of years, I have noticed a shift in the Sears business. Didn't I
read about his promotion of supplements for bf women? I have concerns
with that aspect, too. What we know about the politics of bf should make
us suspicious of any big-name, big-company promotion of anything, and
where breastmilk substitutes are concerned, even more so. (Suspicious, I
said, not nasty.)
4) It is hard for me to wholeheartedly recommend books by someone I do
not trust... I am prepared to let him earn my trust back, but for the
moment, while I'm waiting to see what happens, the trust is not there.
Here, again, it is my literature/ women's studies background coming
through, and I admit that I am influenced by the author's background.
5) I have problems with the idea of one person becoming a guru, and
those problems increase when the guru starts giving questionable
messages.
In other words, there are some red flags here I wish I didn't have to
deal with.
But, I repeat, but... I was the one asking for us to wait and gather
information. I am certainly not advocating campaigns against Sears, as
they can be as dangerous as mass-market advertising.
Jo-Anne

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