COMMENTS
no.this is not funny at all, and its quite affensive, its really not the sort of thing to be having a joke over who would find it funny??
I thought it was fabulous when I read it on April 1st, also thinking it true, but towards the end, I thought, wait a minute what day is today? But I still think it is wonderful and that he was actually able to say what should be said. I don't think there is anything offensive in it. It would be wonderful if true. Jay spoke absolute truths, some wonderful things and I hope he opened some eyes within the world of his peers.
We all have every right to say these things.
I don't know who Dr Jay Gordan is or if he in any way represents the AAP. That being said, asking if it was funny seems to miss the point I think this was trying to make. With the notable exception of this being endorsed by the AAP, every single word of it is true. The AAP SHOULD be embarrassed over it's relationship with the formula companies,it IS unethical, they SHOULD be promoting baby friendly hospitals & practices, and they should be in compliance with the recommendations of The World Health Organization.
The public does not know that pediatricians accept lavish gifts, trips etc from the formula companies. They do not know that formula companies have ignored the WHO recommendations for decades. That they unethically promote their product at the cost of babies lives in third world countries etc. This work of satire should give pause to the pediatricians who continue to promote formula companies and to the AAP as a whole.
Emma,
You are so right. You have said it perfectly. No it is not funny. It is a tragedy that the AAP has such connections with the formula companies. And that they do not themselves stop the giving of these formula diaper bags to these vulnerable new mothers. i think I should change the title of this blog. The tragedy of the truth? I'd love more feedback.
Debbie
Sorry Denise. I meant to say that your staement was absolutely true. The public needs to know the truth. That being said, does anyone feel that this was a poor choice for a blog article?
Debbie
Not funny since its true. As a literary term, satire requires obvious hyperbole (exaggeration). A Modest Proposal by Swift was satire. This is, at best, sarcastic. In reality it is cruelly unprofessional and results in open mockery of breastfeeding and open acknowledgment of the hand in pocket relationship between formula companies and the AAP. It deserves a public apology that goes beyond accusing breatfeeding proponents of being sensitive.
I would add that the usual purpose of satire is to expose a truth that can't be communicated directly for political or emotional reasons. In so far as that was Dr Gordon's purpose, then bravo. Using April Fool's Day to say something he say under other circumstance is not without historical precedent. That said, I don't think that was Dr Gordons intent. Perhaps his 'satire' will have impact beyond his purposes.
Debbie, I love that you posted this.
"Truth is stranger than fiction" unfortunately is so hidden under the formula company's propaganda and has been held as "truth" for so long that those of us that are the waves changing the tide still have many undertows to overcome.
One baby, one mother, one IBCLC...we will change the course of our human race's health.
I got this at the same time as everyone else. I cannot believe anyone could think they would come out that way to denounce ties with the formula company. Yes I do agree they are all true facts. That is the point. Jay is a friend and I am sure he thought about this for a long time. He is so pro breastfeeding/ milk I doubt you could ever find another doctor like him. Well maybe a few but not as many as we should have. He knows how dangerous formula is and he is not afraid to put the aap in a bad light to show what he knows goes on with so many doctors. If more doctors were honest to the parents more would chose breast milk. He is a radical but we need more like him ... love him
Swift's proposal, written in 1729.......pre-formula days!