Wow! An interesting debate. Just to throw a few more ideas into the pot (and these are just my views, not judging anyone else!) I think Dummies shouldn't just be dammed as sometimes they can be quite useful!
In my experience, the dummy has actually helped breastfeeding. I struggled with breastfeeding for 12 weeks, found it very painful and was close to giving up, because my daughter wanted to suckle all day and it was making me engorged (not the normal type - it couldn't be relieved though normal means, so I was constantly engorged for weeks!) and the midwife suggested the dummy, which gave my boobs a break and allowed me to continue breastfeeding. Overnight it went from being a chore I dreaded to a bonding experience both my DD and I enjoyed. We continued bfeeding until she chose to give up at about 18/19 months (and she didn't have a bottle until after weaning at 6 months!) Far from being evil, it was my saviour!
Also in Holland, they actually recommend dummies for small babies. Some research shows that the constant sucking at night helps to combat SIDS. Obviously the alternative is to co-sleep, but personally I didn't want to take the risk. (And, yes despite what Dr Sears et al say, there is a higher risk of death for co sleeping babies. The thing I find most worrying about it is when I go on the AP boards, (yes I am AP inclined) how many of the mums take so many risks, like co sleeping on sofas, or when they smoke, or have had a drink, or use duvets, or place the baby between two adults...If you want copies of the research, you can have it... but that is a different debate!)
Whilst I agree that a dummy is not aesthetically pleasing, I find it a weak argument against using them, because what that argument boils down to is