Men, on the other hand, sometimes dig about inside their shorts to find a sense of importance. Many, however, find very little. Like Warren Kinsella, obviously, who appears hellbent on compensating for his unfortunate shortcoming...

years ago in a similar event, lady said that breast feeding is NATURAL, my friend said "yes it is, but this isn't Africa!" Priceless come back, just not politicaly correct.

let it all hang out.

"It is an attitude that conveys the idea that women should be barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen"
well, er, no, oh shrill one, it is not. It is an attitude that it is best for the CHILD if breastfeeding said child is done in a quiet, private place. Not in the middle of a press conference.

Personally, I don't mind the public display of female nipples any more than I mind the public display of male nipples. (Sure, I'd much rather see female ones, but to each his own...)

I say, if men can walk around with nipples exposed, so can women.

If the baby's hungry, by the way, I believe it actually might be better to let the little one have his lunch naturally than to let him go hungry and cry loudly. Which is more disruptive? I think it's easier to ignore a woman and baby engaged in lunchtime stuff than it is to ignore piercing cries...

Ain't a left/right thing, far as I'm concerned.

I say don't worry about breastfeeding.

What would you rather put up with, breastfeeding or naked "gay" men walking down the street, fellating one another, jackin' off, self-sodomizing right there on the street at high noon?

Would we rather see breastfeeding or would we rather happen upon something like the "Folsom Street Fair" in San Francisco?

http://www.zombietime.com/folsom_sf_2007_part_1/

Take your pick as to which you'd rather have imposed onto your field of view.

What else can you say about a woman who would show up for a breast feeding solidarity march, other than that life must be pretty damned dismal if you have to resort to digging about inside your bra to find a sense of importance.

It also doesn't say much about your tits if you have to attach a baby to it,in public,to draw attention to them. Heh

And hey. Shouldn't the brat be in some Libber/Dipper/Greenie sponsored day-care gulag anyway?

"Would we rather see breastfeeding or would we rather happen upon something like the "Folsom Street Fair" in San Francisco?"

I guess my answer to a question like that is: Do we have to have either one?

This even reminds me of a recent event when I was meandering around the grocery store and met up with a woman a number of times displaying similar behaviour.

I realize that sometimes there are special circumstances that take place that can't be avoided, but I think in a lot of circumstances the women that engage in public breast feeding are just being hill billy about it. To do this at a media event is extreme hill billy. But if people want to engage in this kind of behaviour, it only displays their true inner character, no new rules would be required to prevent it. All I can say is have some class you morons!

In my opinion, confrontations over breast feeding in public are not about what is best for the child, nor are they about respect for women or for maternity. They are about the woman's desire to be the center of attention and to exercise power over others. They are ego-driven, purely and simply.

"... if you have to resort to digging about inside your bra to find a sense of importance."

Quote of the week right there, Kate. Thanks for the morning laugh. :)

tempest in a tea pot...my wife breast fed in restaurants if the baba needed feeding...what's the 'frickin' big deal ?

I'm on Jones side on this one....lot's of assumptions going on. Tammy Robert sounds like an angry feminist (maybe that is an assumption on my part).I don't know if Jones was discreet, Roberts seems offended by the act of breastfeeding, and doesn't detail that it was a display of breasts.
Breastfeeding is not 'a display of tits in public'

I breast fed whenever the baby indicated it was time...at church, the mall, or friends house, even the local fair...when she was in the 'cutest baby' contest. My clothing always allowed for a comfortable positioning of the baby and most of the time no one knew.There was always a soft blanket on hand. I never 'displayed' myself in public.
At a time when feminists are standing up for the 'rights' of the sex trade workers and Judy Sgro makes it easy for strippers to get work in Canada real women should be able to feed their babies without being compared to a stripper.
Prostitution and stripping make girls into sex objects. Breastfeeding is nurturing.
I'd like to know how Roberts 'reports' on gay pride parades.

I agree with RSP,

I would go further and say this is the female/feminist equivalent of making us all dhimmis.

They demand, they impose, and we become a little more subservient.

They act as if they are above our rules, untouchable, unaccountable, and we become a little more subservient...

Friend of USA, I also agree with you and RSP. By the way thanks for the tip about the series "Carrier". I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am.

Let's not forget, when their mouths are full they're not crying.

One makes a choice to go to a gay festival, but has no choice if some idiot woman wants to expose herself in public. Discretion is needed.
Wasn't there a law passed many years ago allowing women to go bare chested in public. Remember lots of media coverage, women showing up etc, but funny, don't see too many women doing it.
This is a case of just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Tammy's post wasn't even about breastfeeding, per se. It's the tits who showed up to protest who insisted on making it so.

"years ago in a similar event, lady said that breast feeding is NATURAL"

So is taking a dump.
Well, it will be a moot point once Islam takes over and women won't be allowed out of the house anyway.

Babies have to be fed. Both my boys were breast fed and my wife fed them in public if she had to, but with a little bit of discretion nobody even notices. There really is not need to make an issue of it by mom, or the public.

Usless tits says it all.

For many underachievers, breeding is the easy way for them to get the attention they so crave . . . "Oh what a cute baby".

Then after months of diapers and crap, of burbs and messes, these breeders realize they are still underachievers, that people still ignore them and focus on the baby and it becomes too much for them.

Any chance to lash out and prove how important they are, even for a few moments and using cheap props like nipples & slurping lips, is considered a victory.

It must be a sad sight when, after the demonstration, they return home and find their lives are as pathetic as the before, they are just a little more bitter about it.

Thanks for the Mammaries.

Discretness and humility are virtues missing in a society of Madonnas , Britannys and lactation events.

Use of child as political prop at news conference, very bad taste. Use of breast feeding as political prop at news conference, -extremely- bad taste.

Flash crowd of 35 "useless tits" shows up at radio station to "protest" (read intimidate) radio host for saying so, Lefty politics as usual.

Which is why Lefties piss me off, frankly. They're a bunch of lying, scheming cowardly bullies. Male, female makes no difference.

Several points here: (and no pun intended)

1. "... if you have to resort to digging about inside your bra to find a sense of importance."

Great Quote of the week.

2. Breasts and breast feeding is natural, North American "culture" makes it a big deal and like some moms here have said: There is a time and place for everything.

3. Crass showboating by using a kid for political purposes is just that: Crass. I always cringe when I see the obligatory politician kissing a baby pic.

btw, when the breast feeding topic comes up, I can't help but imagine Robert De Niro in the movie "Meet the Fockers".

Watching a woman breast feed her child has never bothered me. Especially if she is pretty ...

I know that nothing else makes my day more than busy bodies telling me how to raise my children. So much for taking the helmets off, eh Kate?

I am very pro-breastfeeding. My wife, who is VERY modest managed to do so in all sorts of public situations without making a spectacle of herself, or the baby.

The issue here is not breastfeeding, but using your baby as a political prop. At best, it is cheap political theater. More likely, it is the use of her breasts and her baby to distract people away from real issues. If she wants me to take her seriously as a politician, she has just failed.

Well....I'm a conservative and a social conservative to boot, and I think it's obscene that nursing a baby is considered offensive, or has any sexual
connotations to it. I think women should be able to nurse their babies when and where they please and people should get over their silly puritanism.

Breastfeeding provides the best health benefits for both child and mother.

Maybe all the onslaught of peanut allergies etc. comes from babies getting fed formula too soon.

Deborah

Maybe we can call this scandal "TEETGATE"!

I don't know, I reached into my bra and didn't find anything of importance, so I took the dang thing off.
:)

My wife breastfed all of our kids without making herself the object of attention.

The green pol was probably making a get back to nature statement.

When the child is 7 years old you should probably think about weening them off, as it is difficult to send them to school.

Maybe the pol was in a subtle way indicating that anyone who would vote for her was a sucker; literally.

On the other hand, perhaps she could have used the incident to draw attention to the link between not breastfeeding and cervical cancer, which would perhaps drawn attention to an important health connection.

....

Among both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, risk of breast cancer decrease with increasing duration of lifetime lactation experience although the effect was consistently stronger for premenopausal women.
Source: McTieman, A., "Evidence of Protective Effect of Lactation on Risk of Breast Cancer in Young Women." American Journal of Epidemiology, 1986

After controlling for age at first full term pregnancy and other potentially compounding factors, parity and duration of breast feeding also had a strong influence on the risk of breast cancer. Compared with parous women who never breast fed, women who had breast fed for 25 months or more had a lower relative risk.
Source: Layde, P.M., "The Independent Associations of Parity Age at First full Term Pregnancy, and Duration of Breast Feeding with the Risk of Breast Cancer." Journal of Clinical Epidemiol, 1989.

If women who do not breastfeed or who breastfed for less than 3 months were to do so for 4 to 12 months, breast cancer among parous premenopausal women could be reduce by 11%; if all women with children lactated for 24 months or longer, the incidence might be reduced by nearly 25%.
Source: Newcomb,P. etal. "Lactation and reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer." N Engl J Med 1994; 330(2):81-87.

Women who were breastfed as infants, even if only for a short time, showed an approximate 25% lower risk of developing premenopausal or postmenopausal breast cancer, compared to women who were bottle-fed as an infant.
Source: Freudenheim, J. "Exposure to breast milk in infancy and the risk of breast cancer." Epidemiology 1994 5:324-331

An increasing duration of lactation was associated with a statistically significant trend toward a reduced risk of breast cancer.
Sources: Newcomb, P.A. et al. 1994 Lactation and a reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer. The New England Journal of Medicine 330(2):81-87. (P Byers T, et al. Lactation and breast cancer: evidence for a negative association in premenopausal women. American Journal of Epidemiology Vol 121, pp664-74, 1985)

Siskind V, et al. Breast cancer and breastfeeding: results from and Australian case-control study. American Journal of Epidemiology, Vol 130, pp229-36, 1989

Uterine Cancer

A protective effect against uterine cancer was found for women who breastfeed.
Source: Brock, K.E., "Sexual, Reproductive, and Contraceptive Risk Factors for Carcinoma-in-Situ of the Uterine Cervix in Sidney. " Medical Journal of Australia, 1989.

Ovarian Cancer

Breastfeeding should be added to the list of factors that decrease ovulatory age and thereby decrease the risk of ovarian cancer.
Source: Schneider, A.P. "Risk Factor for Ovarian Cancer. "New England Journal of Medicine, 1987

Endometrial Cancer

Lactation provides a hypoestrogenic effect with less stimulation of the endometrial lining. This event may offer a protective effect from endometrial cancer.
Source: Petterson B, et al. "Menstruation span- a time limited risk factor for endometrial carcinoma". Acta Obstet Gyneocol Scand 1986;65:247-55

Cheers

Hans-Christian Georg Rupprecht BGS, PDP, CFP

Commander in Chief

Frankenstein Battalion

2nd Squadron: Ulanen-(Lancers) Regiment Großherzog Friedrich von Baden(Rheinisches) Nr.7(Saarbrucken)

Knecht Rupprecht Division

Hans Corps

1st Saint Nicolaas Army

Army Group “True North”

Photo prop and photo prop only. I pity the poor child. Breast pumps, while sometimes painful, are perfect for those times when Dad (or anyone else) can take over for a few minutes.

Tammy's post wasn't even about breastfeeding, per se. It's the tits who showed up to protest who insisted on making it so.
================
EXACTLY!!!!!

That, plus the fact that environmentalists have to be good little Earth Mothers, and breastfeeding in public is an essential part of an Earth Mother's persona. It's green politics. Period.

Kevin - I hope you've read Karl's post - the one right after yours.

I'll remember the comments here the next time someone gives me a dirty look for adjusting my balls at the gym or during a baseball game.

It's natural. I have to adjust them. Deal with it. The only difference are the props. Yours are cute and gurgly, mine are sweaty and... well, let's just stop there.

I guess when everyone else stops eating in public I will have a little more patience with people who are offended by mothers feeding hungry babies. I am as conservative as anyone here, and I think that some of the comments here show that people ARE offended by public breast feeding. While I understand that isn't the point Kate was making, it was the point of the protest. I respectfully disagree with Kate on this one. This isn't about women being modest or inappropriate. It should be a non issue completely. That way, if women want to march in solidarity, it wouldn't cause a commotion. It should be like people marching in support of BLTs. The fact that it is causing more comment than that is exactly thier point.

I have had allergies and digestive problems all my life partly because my puritan mother refused to breast feed me and I was fed cow milk from birth instead.

How do you make 3 pounds of fat look good?

You put a nipple on it!

'Nuff said.

Good points, Louise. Consideration for appropriate behaviour in public has gone down the toilet.

Should women who work shift jobs like police officers, nurses, air traffic controllers or janitorial staff take their kids with them for on-the-job dairy fixes? I think not - the child would be a huge (and possibly dangerous) distraction which would affect proper execution of duties.

So then what is a politician really saying when she has a kid latched on while doing the job of "expressing" herself in front of the press on important public issues? How much does she really care about doing her job?

i have a true story to tell that brings together a disparate number of threads....kinda....

my wife was breastfeeding my youngest while we were at an all candidates meeting....it was kinsella's parliamentary run at north vancouver....and mirabile dictu when kinsella was through dissembling my wife noticed her milk had curdled and the baba's fontanel had assumed the shape of a swastika....!!!!
i've never forgotten that night ...it were 'orrible to witness the daemonic powers of a LLLiberal....

Lot of mixed messages in the comments.
"I'm no feminist but get your own damned coffee"

"Would we rather see breastfeeding or would we rather happen upon something like the "Folsom Street Fair" in San Francisco?"

How 'bout neither? While we're at it, let's discourage 'saggin' young men and women with their pants hanging to their knees and their 'plumbers cracks' showing.

The issue however is really NOT about 'breast feeding', it's about the neediness and attention seeking of this particular mother.

How can I know this? Well, the fact that six of eight of her first sentences end with exclamation marks. It's someone trying to impress us with the 'importance' of her social views.

Simple(ton).

"I am mammal, hear me roar".

For this I give you 3 thumbs up as it appropriately addresses the so called issue that is an issue for some, but not so much for others. We should ask Borat for direction.

Some people just have too much time on their hands.

For me, I just don't know why anyone would want to flop their titty out in public, but hey, I'm not them.

I don't know what makes a guy and a gal think that swapping spit and tongues in public advances the common good, but hey, I'm not them.

I don't know what drives the urges of one male to be all lickey on the neck of another male in public. But hey, I'm not them either.

When I ponder the human condition and it makes me want to go sh*t with the bears in the woods, I bet they don't know what drives me either. But hey, they are not me.

Hugger

Gotta disagree, breastfeeding itself is not exhibitionist behaviour.

But let's face it, lactating or not, under the breasts of all politicians beats the heart of showman(person). Her drama just happens to include using her baby as part of the set. This is worthy of an eye roll and a shrug not Layton style "outrage"

"tempest in a tea pot...my wife breast fed in restaurants if the baba needed feeding...what's the 'frickin' big deal ?"

Hey John,

If you have to take a leak at the same restaurant, do you whip it out in the middle of the place and go in a pot? Polite people excuse themselves and go in private.

Bodily functions should not be public.

Breast-feeding is no different than going to the can and both should be held in private.

Early in my career as a studio photog in Saskatoon I had a mother and her eight-year-old child come in for a sitting.
After a bit of small talk the kid started whining at his mother in a manner of a kid much younger than he was.
In a instant she whips out her boob(aka,lemon in a nylon) and proceeds to breast feed him!
The kid was STANDING and breast feeding...shudder.

It's outrage such as some of these comments that leads to the dreaded "Nanny" laws everyone but the Libs hate. To each his/her own. If the stupid thing wants to exploit HER child to promote HER agenda, as long as the child is not in danger, what's the diff? How does it harm YOU? If it bothers you, don't do it. But don't take away another's right to do it if they so choose.

For the record, I pumped for outings. Baby was happy, I didn't have to find an "appropriate" place or risk offending anyone. But I might have chosen differently if I was told I *couldn't* feed my child as I wished...

--
Lisa

And, Warwick? Unless you eat sh*t or drink p*ss, breastfeeding is hardly the same as "going to the can"...what a boob. *giggle*

I think the brilliant lesson we have learnt here is that Western women, unlike African women, are born with their clothes on.

Its a breast. Get over it. It is a body part. Like an ankle. Bare ankles in Saudi Arabia stir up quite the storm. Bare breasts in Canada apparently do the same. Same line of thinking, just a little more tolerant.

Canada - Land of tolerant mullahs.Like the one below.

"They are about the woman's desire to be the center of attention and to exercise power over others. They are ego-driven, purely and simply."

Taken out of context, you would be forgiven for thinking these are Khomeini's words.

I say we roll out the nanny state, and start putting laws on breastfeeding, since we have laws on everything else. After all, the nanny state is a dream of so many over here.

Breast-feeding is no different than going to the can and both should be held in private.
Posted by: Warwick at May 1, 2008 12:31 PM

Before I went to South East Asia I met a guy from Scotland, and he was a loud mouthed opinionated arsehole, but there was one thing he said that I will always remember. He told me that in many areas of Europe they had limited public toilet facilities. Many were simply crude holes in the ground attached to sewers and there was little privacy. He said that it was common to see members of the opposite sex squatting in toilet areas. This is common in China too.

I thought this to be rather shocking at that time.

Later, I went to South East Asia and I saw villages gone in an instant. Most everything else seems secondary after that.

Life is a matter of perspective. Perspective is determined by knowledge. Knowledge is acquired by seeking it, having an open mind, and critical thinking.

Hugger

The main argument put forward by the pro breast feeding crowd if that it is a normal, natural function of the human body. Farting and belching are also normal, natural functions of the human body. Polite people however don't do them in public because they know it embarasses and upsets people. Perhaps the PBFC should show the same consideration.

My question is - what do people find offensive about breastfeeding? Naked breasts. Puritan values. Boob envy.

When I was worked in male dominated plant there was an abundance of girly mags. By the faded dog eared look of them, I suspect that they had been around awhile. Sure, I could have demanded that they all be removed to prevent personal embarrassment or I could just not look at them.

It is not that hard to be tolerant enough to turn a blind eye to things that may be personally offensive.

motherhood is beautiful. kate wouldn't know about that..

Posted by: QEvron at May 1, 2008 1:32 PM

Can you tell us why Kate wouldn't know about that?

I hope the answer doesn't get blocked.

Hugger

Add me to the list of people who isn't bothered by public breast feeding. Granted, having 4 kids who were breast fed has probably made me less sensitive to mothers who do breast feed.

crinky:
You are correct when you write, with reference to my post, that context is important. Let me explore with you this insight of yours. In Africa, a woman who breastfeeds in public is probably not trying to draw attention to herself. How could she, when so many others are doing likewise? Nor is she trying to assert power over others. Her actions cooperate with her culture rather than defy it. In Canada, however, things are a bit different, aren't they? Acceptance of public breastfeeding is not nearly as widespread. When tradition is defied, I think it is reasonable to ask why. Have objective circumstances in the West really changed so much since our mother's day? Perhaps they have, though I am skeptical.

I would like to offer a thoroughly opinionated statement. Cultures that are on the rise tend to be sexually modest. Those in decline resent "arbitrary prohibitions". Does this mean that I favor laws enforcing modesty? Actually, yes, up to a point, but only up to a point. If a society is determined to cast off those restraints that contribute to security and prosperity, a few more laws won't make much difference. The best laws are those that don't need to be written.

poor warwick..guess there's no point trying to sell you a subscription to playboy magazine ?

and cows...must be gag making seeing all them humungous udders as you drive past a herd of holstein friesens eh ?

and milk...walking thru safeway with cartons and bottles and JUGS of milk in strawberry chocolate and vanilla just stacked up to the rafters !!!

and the shame you must feel...so dirty inside knowing that YOU breast fed onceupon a day and you will never ever EVER scrub clean INSIDE!

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

i say warwick old stick... as far as i can remember changing diapers with all the stink and etc was enjoyable because i was engaged in a holy role that being recreating myself in the hope my best parts would be carried on after me....and anyway getting peed in the face by the little guys was humblingly funny...THEN i wasn't the self adoring great man for sure was i ?

so anyhow where's your frickin humanity warwick....?

Posted by: QEvron at May 1, 2008 1:32 PM

there's a rumor going around that kate's barren. gawd is infinite in his wisdom.

Thanks for your answer.

Quickly it was removed. I was about to offer an objective opinion Kate, which in fact was something of a defense of you.

You do blather on though like someone who doesn't have any Children. You see, my Dear, when you have Children and you are a thinking, caring Human Being, you think about their future. You think about how much bullsh*t politicians have fed out in your lifetime, and you gravitate toward the one thing some of us know is truthful. Ourselves.

I was born to a good woman, and a Red Cross nurse who attended to those who suffered during the Battle of Britain and later.

If you are going to run an informative blog, you have to take the bad with the good. If you are not up to that, stop trying to control peoples thoughts and please be quiet.

You often times offend the memory of the 8th Battery, 1st Div, RCA.

I rest my case.

Hugger

I dunno RSP, there is nothing sexual about breastfeeding. Except perhaps for some kinky rumors regarding the fetishes of some agribition attendees ......but I digress.

On the other hand there are examples of sexually modest cultures that are not on the rise, Muslim for instance, at least not advanced in technology or scientific discovery.

demented...tasteless demented onanistic twaddle.

I don't have a problem with women breast feeding in public, but like other people have stated feedings can be planned better so they do not have to be out in the open all of the time. This reminds me of my experience as a waiter with some "diabetic" customers. They will walk into a busy place and demand a table and service "now" because "I'm a diabetic and I need some juice". If this happened rarely I wouldn't b*tch but it happened all the time with mostly the same customers. If it is such an emergency all the time, why do you put yourself in that situation. Carry a juice box (or bottled breast milk) and quit inconvincing everyone. Feed your kids at home, or plan for breaks so you can have some privacy. Don't just whip it out at every coffee shop you go to, others have gone their to enjoy themselves too.

FYI: twice we had customers leave our restaurant because they were uncomfortable with the situation right beside them. The restaurant and the waiter end up taking the financial hit and loss of clientele because of the actions of some.

I LUV BOOBS

Gee Hugger, I've got an even better thought for you to chew on:

Who the hell are you to tell Kate how to run her blog?

Posted by: Yukon Gold at May 1, 2008 2:44 PM

And I've got an even better thought for you.

What about this free speech issue that Ms. Kate keeps telling you about?

Hugger

John,

It doesn't make me gag nor particularly do I care much.

My problem with it is simply that people used to have respect for others, used to demand politeness from others and used to return that politeness in kind. People used to be far less selfish. Now no one has any problem being an ass while demanding it as their "right" without thinking for half a second about anyone but themselves - as if they alone in the world has any rights.

And as I'm only in my 30's it's not like that was all too long ago.

Without standards of decorum you get… today's lousy society filled with narcissistic, selfish, rude and obnoxious idiots running around with chips on their shoulders. And it started with the boomers and seems to be worse with the children of boomers.

is it just me or are the usual lactating lot going on public display sort of exibitionists that we dont care to be seeing the pair anyway. its usually the birkenstock sect with braided pits and a backend that looks like a scoop of mashed potatoes pushed thru a frost fence.

se xy, I think not.

cal2... Umm, I don't think breastfeeding is supposed to be sexy. It's supposed to give nourishment to a child.

exactly, and the ones that are so adamant about displaying the organs are the ones that wouldnt be requested otherwise.

actually human breasts are se x organs, we are one of the only animals to display them prominently up front. an adaptation to up right posture and a virtual version of the buttock mating end if I remember the anthropology of it .

otherwise we would have magazines of elbows and forearms and such

Well, here is a thought for the anti breast feeders to consider. Even for the most discreet, there are sometimes extenuating circumstances. For example: some babies do not accept plastic substitutes, smelly bathrooms are not the best place to feed a newborn, ditto for a hot vehicle, maybe the family is on vacation far from the privacy of home, a full breast can be quite painful for mothers. Show a little compassion.

Anyway, breastfeeding is not about you, no one is trying to embarrass or offend you. Just close your eyes, take a deep breath and avert your eyes. BTW, if you hear the cries of "oh baby, oh baby", the meaning will be entirely different from your sexual thoughts. :)

"And it started with the boomers and seems to be worse with the children of boomers."

Here here!

synonym for "baby boomers" = "me ,me, me"

I call schmotzies on ALL of you guys that are posting stuff like this: " Umm, I don't think breastfeeding is supposed to be sexy. It's supposed to give nourishment to a child."

If you say you've never copped a look at the boob I say "Ya Right".

I could care less if a woman breast feeds in public, as long as the kid doesn't projectile vomit.

A politician using her suckling kid as a prop is pretty lame, any woman can be sweet, the trick is finding a woman that can twist a kids ear to bring them in line later in life, that impresses me. What's the sense in nurturing a whole generation of spoiled brats?

I breastfed eight children, on demand. That meant, that they were always with me, and I fed them when they were hungry. In all that time,(which adds up to YEARS) I never heard a complaint, and I also never witnessed anyone else nursing in a grotesque or provoking way.

I'm embarrassed to share some head-space with some of you. You ruin my credibility as a conservative person. I've never been embarrassed by a nursing mother. (I'm pretty sure I've never embarrassed anyone by nursing, either.)

Stop being such frickin' idiots. Choose something REALLY bad to get all het up about.

Hey Greg, free speech means that you're free to start your own blog and say what you want on it. You aren't free to use someone else's venue for you own ends.

Otherwise, CBC should be make room for people like Kate to get on their soapbox.

Hey Half Canadian, I believe Kate has blogged on CBC in the past. Just sayin'.

Imagine how much more the press would respect a leader like Maggie Thatcher if she breast fed on cue for the British press? She'd go from "Iron Lady" to "Milk Maid" all in one flash-bulb ridden baby sized gulp.

Public figures need to recognize the requirement for appropriate display. How they choose to behave in front of us reflects on how we judge their worth.

Does any public figure NEED to breast feed during a press conference? Are baby sitters and bottles illegal?

good for you lwestin. bet you didnt have time for a march on the legislature with glombed on props in hand.

im not offended by breastfeeding either, im offended by folks that seem to want to flaunt things for no other reason then they have nothing better to do. take the greenies dressed in whale suits or panda suits or tree suits that actually think that walking in a parade with a bunch of sandaled exhippies with tossled hair and squirrels living in their beards collecting welfare on the side is actually an accomplishment.

Thanks for the memory (O:}

My Granny used to use the phrase: "About as usefull as two tits on a log" quite a lot. Just remembering the way she had of saying it, brought a smile .

Free speech, Hugger? Are you dumb, or ignorant?

This is a privately-maintainted forum. The rules are as Kate sets them.

If ever Kate files an injunction to prevent you from saying something stupid, then yeah, we can talk about free speech.

Free speech, Hugger? Are you dumb, or ignorant?

This is a privately-maintainted forum. The rules are as Kate sets them.

If ever Kate files an injunction to prevent you from saying something stupid, then yeah, we can talk about free speech.
Posted by: Yukon Gold at May 1, 2008 5:56 PM

The more stumps like you open their mouths, the more irrelevant you make the argument of freedom of speech put forth here on this, err umm ..privately maintained forum.

The rules are as Kate sets them you say! So there are rules as the Human Rights Commissions set them.

So there are rules as the Gun Control legislations says.

So there are the rules as per the Gun Registry.

I don't care for those rules very much, do you?

You said; If ever Kate files an injunction to prevent you from saying something stupid..

Criminelly Nutsy,

I don’t pick on people who are so dense that they would say something like that. Instead, I usually leave them to bask in their ignorance. Que sera, sera…

P.S. Yukon Gold is also a Potato

Hugger

Free speech doesn't HAVE to be stupid, it just so often IS.

The same people that get riled up and nasty and mouthy and , yes- even quite vulgar in their support for the 'free speechers' (a cause I support) are askance at a couple of moms, on a lark, supporting another mom who was publicly dissed for nursing (GASP) in PUBLIC.

I realize its all about politics. But a little voice keeps asking me...if our side wasn't so repulsive, would we get more converts?

Oh, geez... I can't believe we're debating this. I mean, I thought conservative guys liked boobies... so what if a baby's getting his/her dinnies from one, and we can see it?

Perspective, guys...

That's not nearly as bad as seeing naked guys walking down the street in one of those "gay" parades... wouldn't most guys rather see breastfeeding than other guys' peepees?

What is really funny is how obvious it is that so many of you were not in attendance at the press conference, did not see the press conference first hand, and have probably not even read descriptions of the press conference. For the record, here is what happened.

Baby was breast fed before press conference began.
Father took baby, disappeared for duration of press conference.
Press conference.
Press asked to see baby after press conference.
Press jumps on mother for using baby as prop.

Now, maybe some of the ignorant and ill informed can just stop.

Maybe next time Robert Fife calls us knuckle draggers on CTV,
35 of us should show up with Bibles, beer, popcorn and various "conservative props" ?

"Her actions cooperate with her culture rather than defy it. In Canada, however, things are a bit different, aren't they?"

Her actions have nothing to do with the prevailing culture. Breast-feeding takes place regardless of culture. Where it takes place is not determined by culture but by neccessity. Women in Canada did not breast-feed in public in the past. Agreed. A woman a hundred years ago breast-fed her children at home. But that is not a reflection on prevailing culture's attitude to breast-feeding. It is a reflection of that prevailing culture's attitude towards women in general. Women did not work back then. They stayed at home, making it easier for them to breast-feed at home. This lady is clearly a working woman. Breast-feeding in public is not just an African phenomenon - it is visible wherever women work -such as the agricultural lands in South East Asia and Africa. It is done out of neccessity. Sure they could hide behind a tree and do it. But they don't, largely because people like you are noticeably absent. That isn't to suggest that there arent people like you - one need only turn to the Moral Police for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in, you guessed it, Saudi Arabia.

This notion that women's breasts have some kind of power over men leaves many questions about your outlook towards women. Like the pornography you most likely condemn, you have objectified them. They are not objects. They are people. Who do normal things. Like Breastfeeding. The crucial aspect here is that you would not complain if they were using a bottle to feed the child. Its all about the breast to you.

"Cultures that are on the rise tend to be sexually modest. Those in decline resent "arbitrary prohibitions". "

Stagnant cultures tend to be sexually modest, especially cultures that see themselves as superior to the rest. The Muslim world, for example. China and India are anything but modest. Just tap into the pop-culture there. You will see plenty of public breastfeeding in both those countries.

"I don't have a problem with women breast feeding in public, but like other people have stated feedings can be planned better so they do not have to be out in the open all of the time. "

Babies get hungry, when babies get hungry. Not at specific times. You cannot forcefeed them to ensure they stay on a timetable. When you have children, you will realise that. If timing was possible, the first few months after childbirth would not be wracked by feeding times at 3 am. Ask Lwestin.

"People used to be far less selfish."

Yes, and life was amazing back in the past. Especially when you look back with those rose-tinted glasses. People/Society do not change dramatically.

"im not offended by breastfeeding either, im offended by folks that seem to want to flaunt things for no other reason then they have nothing better to do."

Like Kate or Cal2 on Smalldeadanimals.com?

In the last 20 years of working and travelling in and around the Greater Toronto Area I could count the number of times I've seen a woman breast-feeding in public on about 1.5 hands.

The completely natural concept of breast-feeding a la Africa (for example) is so the woman can strap the kid on her chest whlie she works in the field or the hut or whatever. When the baby feels a 'need to feed', the 'ole zoomer is right there.

Breast-feeding (or any other type of feeding) is not on a schedule imposed ON the baby, but rather BY the baby. Any mother or father of a newborn can attest to this.

To breast-feed for political points is just sleazy posturing.

So 'Tanks for the Mammaries' and always remember the old adage - 'Tits are for kids'.

How about a politically correct show, where down at the French Maid , instead of tassles we do a double reverse swing with two babes held on only by suction. if we could get some other political hack to do it , say Sheila Copps , even better. or judy skro , the importer extraordinare of russian strippers. or ..... Svend Robins.....

oops , lost my dinner.

Natural or not, there is no bigger turn off than some woman tossing her tit out in public for her kid to suck on.

Have some freakin' dignity, throw a blanket over yourself or step into the women's restroom.

Been to weddings and other gatherings when I wished the mother would stick a tit in the baby's face.

Showing up at a business meeting with a baby? ... maybe it works in the movies.

My wife managed to let me feed the kids (her milk) when she went off a did mundane things like get her hair cut ... not sure, but I think I could have done it if she was at a press conference.

At the risk of beating on the braindead, I'll go again at Hugger

He said: "The rules are as Kate sets them you say! So there are rules as the Human Rights Commissions set them.

So there are rules as the Gun Control legislations says.

So there are the rules as per the Gun Registry.

I don't care for those rules very much, do you"

Truly Deep, Hugger. Gun rules are not relevant. You might as well invoked wire transfer regulations in Chile for reference.

So, your argument is:

Kate supports free speech,

therefore

Kate should allow you or anyone to post anything they want on her blog.

Don't break an ankle with that logical leap.

I'll break it down for you, you dough-head: I can sing the entire Dire Straits catalog in my bathroom. You can, without impeding my right to free speech, refuse me access to your crapper to do the same.

Breaking it down even further, the HRC's -> Telling people they can't sing in their own bathrooms.

I can't believe I'm still arguing about this.

And, yes, I know Yukon Gold is also a potato. It's what some learned folks might call a double-entedre. Or even triple, as it's my former stomping grounds. Thanks for the tip, though.

Apologies to Kate for being slightly off topic, but I am rather taken aback by the negative attitudes regarding public breastfeeding on display here. Until now I honestly had no idea such attitudes widely existed. Seriously. Somewhere along the way I must have missed the 'breastfeeding is equivalent to sex or using the washroom' lesson/sermon/talk.

Anyway, as a father of four breastfed children I can say that my wife's experience is best reflected by the comments of lynnh and lwestin. Warwick, I am normally a big fan of your comments, but comparing feeding a baby to using the toilet? Would you eat in a public washroom? Sheesh.

I always thought the dignified thing was to carry on as if breastfeeding (if done discretely) was no different than bottlefeeding, rather than slinking away to hide as if it were something shameful.

Greg;

You're an intelligent guy who said something stupid in your 2:37 post. It's always stupid to take cheap shots. Delving into anyone's personal life is out of bounds when you have the anonimity that this kind of forum provides.

If you don't realize it, taking shots from behind the wall so to speak is a coward's way. The next time you do it, how about putting up your name, address, and other particulars so we can all have a look at your life. Show us you're not.

What's in those bras is important.

"...life must be pretty damned dismal if you have to resort to digging about inside your bra to find a sense of importance."

Some women Do define themselves by their role as a mother, including the nutritional aspects. Just like some (?!) men define themselves by their jobs.

That comment was unjustifiably belittling, Kate.

Gee, I come back after several hours and the gang is still fixated on breasts as in feeding and not the using babies for political ego. Someone even implied that out web hostess might be barren! Pathetic.

I would also like to see who here is willing to eat in a public washroom? Call me a woose but there are some washrooms that I wouldn't do my business in let alone eat.

There are more moms breastfeeding in public than you would believe. It is just that they choose to be discrete and let the child enjoy a peaceful meal. Think a quiet leisurely meal verses grabbing a quick bite to eat in a fast food.

btw, I'm a father of two BF children and I found the whole thing Fascinating, both from the biological point of view and the "Madonna with Child" image that the act invokes. My darling wife wouldn't trade that experience for the world either.

As usual the reasoned ones explain it so well, discretion is the word.

Difference in a kiss between two people in love and two people swapping spit and displaying all their sexual privacy in front of others is more than apparent to this writer, guess to others it's still a mystery - this seldom seen trait, discretion.

Like rushing your nursing baby to a protest to display your privacy, to publicly make your political point. Were they peta members BTW?

Anyway, this mom nursed on demand...never was an issue, or anyone offended as I recall and conversely no moron(s) trying to 'sneak a look' either.

babbies like mommies close and comfy, can you imagine a baby even trying to eat with all that commotion? not likely. He's probably crying because he's scared not hungry.

as it's my former stomping grounds. Thanks for the tip, though.
Posted by: Yukon Gold at May 1, 2008 10:36 PM

Well that explains a lot.

It has nothing whatsoever to do with giant leaps. It is the basis of multiple blog entries here, and you advocate censoring blog posts that don't make you feel all warm and fuzzy.

Got you Mr. Potato Head.

Hugger

You're an intelligent guy who said something stupid in your 2:37 post. It's always stupid to take cheap shots. Delving into anyone's personal life is out of bounds when you have the anonimity that this kind of forum provides.

If you don't realize it, taking shots from behind the wall so to speak is a coward's way. The next time you do it, how about putting up your name, address, and other particulars so we can all have a look at your life. Show us you're not.

Posted by: bob c at May 1, 2008 10:53 PM

Ok Bob, let's examine what you wrote. Apparently there is something you don't like.

Firstly, when people choose to run a blog like this and take shots at other people on a regular basis, you should be prepared to handle the same and not hide behind the "controlled forum" guise.

Secondly, this venue and many more utilize a lot of shock value to generate hits. Hits translate into advertising dollars etc. for the site owner. Thus its a commercial venture based largely on opinion and shock value.

Thirdly, the tone of discussion is set by the blog operator and when you openly ask for people to contribute money to help you defend yourself against lawsuits that have arisen because you, the blog operator, have linked to inflammatory material which someone else wrote, with the intent of Sheparding the thoughts of the flock, then you shouldn't get all touchy feely when someone posts something you don't like. Fair is fair.

Lastly, I'm not making any money from blogging and posting inciting material, so why would I be encouraged to post personal information? People direct all kinds of nasty comments toward me on this blog, and I don't see you rushing to my defense. If you can't take it, don't dish it out.

Hugger

Mike T...have your next Timmy's in the men's washroom...then think about it.
I too am surprised at the negativity here.There is nothing shameful or exhibitionist about breastfeeding, and most of you here have probably been in the presence of breastfeeding and didn't know it.The 'exhibitionist' types are everywhere and do not 'define' breastfeeding moms.
The comment by kevin sums it up.This was an anti-mothering media report (Roberts) And if I had been in the area I would have cheered the breastfeeding moms on as long as they had a blanket over the shoulder.

A lot of people do not even realize that Roberts was not even present at the event. Her blog post was second or third hand knowledge filled with a big dose of self importance.

Most of the comments here seem to be based on the personal opinion of a reporter who was not present at the event. That would be what, fourth hand knowledge?

I actually know some of the people who were at that protest at Rawlco. One of them is on leave from where I work. It wasn't a breast feeding protest, it was mothers who felt unfairly smeared by the media.

Unfairly smeared by the media, who could believe a wild charge like that? My wife is upset by the comments too, and I am beginning to see why. At first I thought it was just funny and overblown.

Hugger;

With due respect, I've tried to stay away from personal invective, including with respect to anything you've said. As much as I disagree with a lot of it, I don't make it personal.

As far as defending you, I'll be by your side the moment I see someone whom I don't know, and therefore can't trust, putting out personal info about you that I can't verify and therefore have any reasonable faith in. I'll be doubly on your side if it's information you purposely chose not to enter into the public realm. I would regard it as a cheap shot and a low blow. Please note that the reason we're having this discussion is because you didn't abide by that.

With regard to your sentence, "I'm not making any money from blogging and posting inciting material, so why would I be encouraged to post personal information?", newspaper columists, talking heads on TV etc, all make money by expressing their opinions. I fail to see why a blogger, if they were making money at it, would have to apologize for it.

Do you believe that it would be fair game to dig into personal information about a columist in a newspaper or magazine, information that he or she had quite purposely never made public, and then use it as a weapon in a disagreement you're having with their expressed opinions?

I can't believe you would think that reasonable and fair anywhere. Why you would think it okay in this setting baffles me. If you do, you've got a rather large McCarthyist streak running through you that you need to confront and deal with. It simply isn't fair game.

As I said in my first post, you're an intelligent guy. We're going to find out whether you are also a big enough man to admit that you went somewhere you never should have gone.

DF,

"I always thought the dignified thing was to carry on as if breastfeeding (if done discretely) was no different than bottlefeeding, rather than slinking away to hide as if it were something shameful."

That's the point. Discretely is what is missing. We're talking about people who are not descrete. And any bodily function is basically the same. Just because your offspring is involved doesn't make it different.

There's nothing revolting about it. Just keep it aside like you would if you were doing some other activity. Being uncouth about it shows poor upbringing and poor maners.

It isn't showing any disregard for women or babies to suggest that it isn't polite to make your breastfeeding the star attraction. It's in poor taste to make it into some kind of statement and shows a lack of dignity.

It's also self-centred. It assumes that everyone else shares your joy at your creation and should participate. It's no different than someone who won't keep their voice down around other people in restaurants as if the whole place cares what you have to say.

It's simple maners. You notice you don't see much of it anymore?

"Babies get hungry, when babies get hungry. Not at specific times. You cannot forcefeed them to ensure they stay on a timetable. When you have children, you will realise that. If timing was possible, the first few months after childbirth would not be wracked by feeding times at 3 am. Ask Lwestin. "

My wife and I have two kids and we are past the feeding stages. We found that instituting a schedual was very benificial to our family. There were exceptions to the schedual but we still tried to maintain feeding and sleep scheduals from day one (that means keeping them awake that extra 45min to 1hr, or not waiting until they cry to feed them ect..). Do not dismiss other peoples expiriences so quickly, often you don't know what you are talking about.

Does Kate have kids? I daresay she would make a terrifying mother.

No friends from other ethnic communities.
No public schooling - home-schooling only.
No TV - TV is full of liberals.
No newspapers other than the National Post.
No muslim friends. Ever.
No praising Canada.
No voting for anybody but Kate's choice.
No going to Toronto/Montreal.
No questioning Kate's choices/views.
No politeness or consideration - both are too politically correct.
No questioning the Republicans.
No Liberal friends.
No being fed in public.

The list can go on and on.

justaskin....you missed one that applies directly to you,no friggin clue.

Posted by: bob c at May 2, 2008 12:20 PM

I think you missed the point bob. When venturing onto the road of sensationalism one must realize it is a two way street. There is a double standard here. I didn't post what you seem to be taking exception with. Someone else did. Sound familiar? So why aren’t you addressing any of that?

You mention cheap shots etc. and I agree. There is a lot of that in blogging and the venue is not improved by it. Lot's of cherry picking too. If you took issue with that, it might reduce the cheap shots and friction that results from it. I expect it would fall on deaf ears though. Another thing bob, is that I don't start the invective. Its purpose is to intimidate someone so they won't offer differing and challenging material. I don't see those posts being removed bob.

Maybe you are just trying a different tack to achieve the same thing? And you are overreaching, I didn't say bloggers should apologize for making money. I can't believe that you don't see the contradictions. I think you see them clearly. Picking and choosing what qualifies as free speech was the point I was making, but you knew that.

Should that comment have been made? I don't think it added anything to the topic being discussed. In fact I was going to say so once the person confirmed. But it was removed before I had a chance.

As a parent of many Children, I think about the future. Their future. Hope that clears things up for you.

Hugger

'Sorry, no time to read this whole thread: I'm still working outside the home for a living--because I stayed home with my kids and breastfed them for quite a while.

I wouldn't let department stores "make" me breastfeed my babies in the washroom, which is where they always directed me when I'd tell the ladies in the dress department that I was going to use one of their cubicles in which to feed my crying 3-month-old, usually at 10:00 o'clock in the morning (like, there's a rush on the change rooms).

It's always bothered me that boobs are used in North America to sell everything from beer to gum to cars but when a woman tries to feed her baby in public--using her breasts for one of their main functions--otherwise reasonable people get priggish and offended.

On the other hand, I'd never take a breastfeeding baby to work, AND I always covered my nursing baby and exposed breast with a blanket, which seemed like the civilized and reasonable thing to do.

Hugger;

You said in your 5:04pm post, "Should that comment have been made? I don't think it added anything to the topic being discussed", thereby implying that it shouldn't have been.

Yet in reality, it was you who solicited the details in your 1:54pm post. "Can you tell us why Kate wouldn't know about that? I hope the answer doesn't get blocked."

So, far from thinking the original comment irrelevant, you were soliciting further detail while crossing your fingers and hoping it would see the light of day, then using the answer to provide further comment of your own. I refer to your 2:37pm post.

Are you always that slippery with the things you say? I understand the temptation, but is winning an argument worth your credibility?

Posted by: bob c at May 2, 2008 9:53 PM

Your intent is now crystal clear bob c. Considering you ignore questions, answers and you don't address the 13 point post above or the original post that you claim bothered you. You are trying to grind a little axe bob c.

You exposed your purpose so you can dispense with the act now. I think you should answer your own question on credibility. Maybe you will be more inclined to answer your own question.

Why don't you attack the real issues that are grinding your grits? You are another denier who is cheesed because he can't manage to get any licks in to overcome the weight of evidence. Fess up bob c, and come out of the closet.

Hugger

I'm a "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" kinda guy. I don't like eating in the can and I can't imagine why I should have the right to demand that some other Human Being eat in there. I don't rush over to tell Mommy dearest not to feed her toddler soda pop & fries either.