As to why legislation might be necessary.

I'd rather it weren't. I'd rather we could rely on human courtesy and a willingness to support women who want to work and have children. But, we can't. I've heard tale after tale of women being told "no," or "it's impossible," or "just do it in the (public, filthy) restroom." Without legislation, many work places will not allow women to do tis in a safe and effective manner.

But, 100 years ago, we had to legislate for a reasonable work weeek and such accomodations as not nailing windows shut.

I don't even want to hear the "just stay home" or the "just use formula" arguments either. Does anyone really want to see all the mommies drop out of the work force? Can you imagine the economic screeching halt, followed by the huge depression that would cause? Me neither. As for formula: I'm glad it' there as an option for those who need it, but breastmilk if a far superior choice, and I get to make that decision, not my boss, not the "public" and not the letter writers at salon.com.

At the end of the day, this comes down to a control over a woman's body (again). Everyone is allowed to stop working to eat, take a pee, get a drink, take a stretch, and even have a smoke, so long as these activities are reasonably performed. When a woman is lactating, she has the right to relieve her breasts.

And it comes down to workplaces making reasonable accomodations for workers with specific needs. This is already status quo for a whole host of individuals who need everything from wheelchair ramps ergonomic keyboards. If you take the stairs and I take the elevator because you want the cardio benefits, am I entitled to extra money for the 5 minutes you spend getting to the office? If you take the elevator, and I climb the stairs faster than you rise? If you take 3 bathroom breaks a day and I take one? See where this is going?

Insisting that pumping moms are getting "special treatment" is silly. If you must, think of lactating as a temporary medical condition. Believe me, pumping is neither arousing, relaxing or fun for the pumper: it's inconvenient and boring (and sometimes painful, but usually just slightly uncomfortable). Would that men could share this duty! In the meantime, know that should you suddenly need critches, or an arm sling, or a neck brace, I won't whine to the boss about all the "special" perks you're getting.

Could congress draft legislation giving parents the option to donate unused embryos to research (like we already do with organ donation)? Maybe that would be veto-proof.

to hear one woman's (and one man's) life has been saved.

I hope this is a signal of more "mercy" to come.

Hey, great minds and all that ... I'm glad to hear someone else saw an opportunity!

It's clear from your tone you weren't breastfed for long enough. Sorry for you.

Perhaps we can talk about your childhood grief over lunch in the restroom at your workplace?

I don't care if other people use a room to breathe in and breathe out, either. If someone wants to legislate that, I won't argue with you.

But since this legislation is about a place to pump ... that's where I'm focused.

For myself, I pumped in my car, in my office (when I had one), in a dressing room (by myself), in a coworker's office, in an empty conference room ... I didn't need a specially designated spot with classical music and fresh flowers. If I had a cubicle, I would have hung a Do Not Disturb sign and happily pumped there too: but I think a private space is a good idea, for the other coworkes as much as for the mom. I stored my expressed milk in a communal fridge. Took up less space than a 6pack of diet coke. I put it in an opaque cooler to keep coworkers from freaking out about seeing it (though I thought they were silly).

calcareous: sorry for the mental image. It will fade out slowly!

I'm sure I would hesitate to bring a child into the world if I were trapped in Iraq. How sad for these women, these families, these Iraqis. I hope (against hope) these days will soon be behind us all.

held the belief that alleviating another person's suffering was an act of profound virtue. Even if it meant sacrifice. God Himself gave His only son to alleviate our suffering, yes?

The thousands of people that are living with (and dying from) spinal injuries, Parkinsons, etc. are suffering. The frozen embryos that are discarded are not.

It seems to me that the truly Chrisian act is to use what we have to alleviate suffering. This is very different from creating embryos solely for the purpose of research. I think witholding these possible live-giving stem cells to be un-Christian in the extreme.

But then, I'm an American Catholic. So I'm going against official doctrine anyway.

Tax payers should just turn their head and cough?

Voters should simpy lay back and Think of England?

I'd love to see what Moliere would do with these clowns and zanies.

for supporting our troops.

this doesn't sound like "play" makeup. This sounds like the real deal. As in, "OMG, how can you leave te house for third grade withou your mascara on?"

Which is a whole 'nother kettle of fish, no?