If I recall correctly, most of Lara Wiggert's postings contained a
disclaimer that the views being posted were hers alone and not the
National Agriculture Library's. And if it is not acceptable for Lara
Wiggert to air her views on rBGH, why then is it okay for Ms. Andre, the
acting director of NAL, to hail the safety of the product and the
integrity of Mr. Bauman -- both of which have been called into question
by the public? Attacking a person after they have left an institution is
both cowardly and unprofessional. Looks to me like there is a lot of
politicking and backstabbing there at NAL.
I would like to thank Lara Wiggert for having the integrity to stand by
her own beliefs amidst the information being handed out by government and
industry on the topic of rBGH. It's nice to read there are two sides to
an issues and all Lara Wiggert was doing representing the "other side."
I don't mean to drag out the rBGH controversy on sanet-mg but I must say
I'd be mighty upset if my organization did not allow me to air my views
as I see fit since that is what I was lead to believe was acceptable
under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. And I don't think
Lara Wiggert deserved that trashing, particularly since her email account
at NAL has been cancelled and she does not have the ability to defend
herself on the Internet.
Michelle Thom, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy