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 [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]