Once I was on vacation in Washington D.C. I was at one of the Smithsonian Art Museums. A mother sat down in the middle of a bunch of paintings and started to breastfeed her infant. So, I had to decide whether to walk over near her in order to see the paintings I wanted to look at or to just walk away. These paintings were by an artist I love and I wasn't going to be back in D.C. or at that museum again any time soon. So, I decided to walk over. I studied the paintings and made an effort not to look directly at the mother and child. A minute or two after walking over, I heard from behind me "it would be nice if we could have some privacy" from the mother. Her husband chimed in, "move along buddy." I left, found a guard, and she asked them to leave. I was able to enjoy the paintings in peace.

Mothers need to realize that the world does not revolve around them just because they managed to procreate. If you want to have a kid, then that kid comes with some sacrifice on your part. You might not be able to go where you want, whenever you want. The world does not stop for you while you breastfeed.

No one I know has time to be a "lactivist." What world do you people live in?

The point that I and Bill Maher are trying to make is that the "lactivists" are pushing an agenda that says that women should be able to breastfeed anywhere and anytime. They think that children should be the absolute first priority of everyone. Anyone who disagrees is labeled a selfish jerk, perhaps with psychological issues regarding sex, breasts, and/or their mothers.

My point is that if you can't go out of your home with your child for an extended period of time and be able to meet its needs without inconveniencing others, then maybe you don't go out. Having a kid means you make sacrifices. Its your fault that you are in public and your baby is hungry.

While I don't find breastfeeding "icky," I do find using your baby in a public protest distasteful.

The simple fact is that nursing mothers do sometimes occupy public spaces and then expect everyone not to look and to give them a wide berth. This is an inconvenience. Furthermore, you don't dare complain about it unless you are ready to be labeled as selfish or psychologically damaged. If you refuse to give the mother "her privacy" then you are labeled a pervert.

Admittedly, not all nursing mothers in public do this. I have no problem with those that nurse in a manner that does not prevent me from going about by own business. But, if you can't be considerate, then I say get childcare or change your lifestyle.

Generally speaking, I think most people are tolerant of crying babies. We all understand that sometimes, no matter what you do, they are going to cry. There are some times when they need to be removed from the situation, like during a movie or a wedding service, but most of the time its not a big deal.

Just because you accuse me of finding nursing "icky" over and over again doesn't make it true.

Why does this article only have seven letters and the Cary Tennis column on "unclean women" have 125? The fate of these protesters is one of the most important news stories in the world right now. I am shocked by the lack of interest by readers.

I don't understand why some think that just because Columbia allowed Ahmadinejad to speak on its campus, they had to be nice to him. Free speech is sometimes loud, profane, shrill, and impolite. People who feel strongly about an issue will speak loudly about it.

People outside of academia seem to think that colleges and universities are some sort of utopia where humans abandon emotion and debate every issue using Robert's rules. Nothing could be further from the truth. Students and faculty on campuses debate issues with fervor and emotion.

This issue of "politeness" and culture is a red herring. Culture should never be used to justify immoral acts, even one as minor a being accommodating to Holocaust denier and would be destroyer of Israel.

Many younger teenagers go through a religious phase. For some reason, at this age, they buy it hook, line, and sinker. I suppose as they start going through the uncertainty and confusion of puberty, the black and white simplicity of religion (especially conservative christianity) appeals to them. I'd suggest waiting it out for awhile. Don't worry, the rebellious phase is coming soon and sexual attraction will make most teenagers forget everything they've ever learned in church.

In the meantime, I'd not worry too much about her understanding your views on religion. In fact, as Cary suggests, I'd take her to church and even sit through services with her. It will show her that you are open minded and that she is free to believe what she likes. Making this thing a huge issue in your lives doesn't seem productive or wise.