9/10s Of The Law
by Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director
You have probably witnessed something like this at a point in your lives: a friend or acquaintance finds something that didn’t belong to them. Almost as if saying “finders keepers, losers weepers,” they remark that “possession is 9/10s of the law.”
While I can’t say they taught me that in law school, my experience has led me to believe that while possession may not be 9/10s of the law, when it comes to nudity, PERCEPTION is. Why? Because everything from the neighbor who picks up the phone to call police because they saw a nude sunbather in the yard next door through a hole in the fence, to those who complain about an established nude beach, or the photo developing clerk who reports “suspicious” pictures are driven by their perceptions about the lawfulness of nudity.
The same is true of the law enforcement officers and even prosecutors who respond to complaints: they respond based upon their understanding and perceptions. whether or not those perceptions are accurate. I was reminded of this twice during the week as I answered requests for legal information.
The first came in response to the story of the so-called “pumpkin runners” in Colorado who donned carved out pumpkins on their heads and went on a nude run as a way of blowing off some steam. Their subsequent arrest and the fact that they could face serious penalties including being required to register as sex offenders was the subject of an E-Bulletin story yesterday, prompting e-mails to my office. Is streaking really a serious sex offense that could get you branded for life?
The second question concerned visiting Internet sites featuring pictures from old nudist magazines. Are they legal if any of the pictures include minors?
In answering both questions I found myself explaining that what the law says depends on statutes and judicial interpretations, but in some cases is almost beside the point. If those who witness a nude runner, or fix a computer, think that what they’ve seen is a major violation of the law, and the people who respond agree, then clearing things up may get very expensive and involve a stint behind bars.
This provides yet another reason why AANR’s work in shaping public opinion and educating others about the wholesome nature of simple nudity and the many ways which it is lawful remains so important. The support of our clubs who collect dues and contribute to The Bulletin, our members, and so many others who lend a hand make it possible to change mindsets.
I-75 Welcome Center Event Provides Great Opportunity, Information
AANR’s presence last Friday at a welcome event for visitors coming into the state is a great example of changing mindsets. During our work there, my wife and I met several association members, including a couple who belongs to Turtle Lake. But just as significantly, we met many, many more people who may not have tried nudism but knew a club in their community by name! Their receptiveness to taking AANR literature was much greater by positive things they had already heard.
AANR was also successful in educating people who knew little about nude recreation with information that they will take back to their home states upon their return. We hope some will join. And for those who do not, we hope they are left with the impression that nude recreation is yet another great way to boost tourism which is embraced rather than something that “must be against the law.”
One example Of What We’re Up To These Days
This week Martha Young and Linda Berry of publications, Financial Director Cindy Horton, and I met with representatives for the United States Postal Service about its plans to implement new requirements for those who send mail at volume rates. Beginning in about two weeks, addresses must be “verified” every 90 days as valid per software that tracks changes filed with the postal service. Some of the approved systems can be expensive.
After some quick thinking by Linda, Cindy, and Martha we believe we have found a solution that avoids this expense and helps us protect member confidentiality by working with the mailing house which already competently handles distribution of The Bulletin. I mention this because both Linda and Cindy deserve to be thanked for their hard work, but also because it sometimes takes a lot of work just to continue doing what AANR does in a world filled with constant change.
Linda Berry, Director of Publications
Club Happenings Section of The Bulletin
Due to space limitations, beginning with the January 2009 issue, submissions should be limited to 75 words including the contact information for your club. The Coming Events feature is being discontinued. Upcoming events may be included in the Club Happenings paragraph as long as the paragraph does not exceed the 75 word limit.
As an advance notice, the deadline for the February issue will be December 15 instead of December 22 due to the holidays.
E-Bulletin
This week the list was upgraded, and the E-Bulletin was sent to over 15,000 addresses. In the first day alone, the open rate was at 33.5%.
Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator
Positive Publicity
Steve Vickers has had several interviews with college students this past week and some have visited Cypress Cove. It seems like the interest in nude recreation among the younger generation is really increasing. He already has a couple of interviews scheduled for next week.
There was a positive article in Saanich News regarding Arbutus Park being accepted into Gordon Head pool. The title was, “Birthday-suited swimmers book time at Saanich pool.” The members were swimming in Panorama pool in Sidney but that pool is now closed for renovations. They applied to Gordon Head pool and got accepted.
Thanks to Bob Erlenmeyer for heading up the Flap Jack Festival in Tampa and thanks to Hugh and Linda Williams, Rene Niquette, and Steve Vickers for assisting us with this. Members are always glad to see us.
To Club Managers in the Sunbelt Region
Ypartnership public relations firm is planning to develop a press release to assist in generating bookings this winter. It will be geared to “snowbirds” heading south to beat the winter weather. If you have a special offer, discount, or special event happening in December, January, February, or March that you would like to include, please send details, nightly rate, along with your phone number, URL and a short club description to: Mary Jane Kolassa by November 20 at MaryJane.Kolassa {at} ypartnership {dot} com.
Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison
The only directory change I have for this week is as follows:
The Black Hills Bares had an error in their e-mail address, the correction
is: bhbares {at} gwtc.net
Also I noticed that on the Web site it states that Gulf Haven resort in Texas has closed. This is false. The resort is open for business as usual.
Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs
REQUEST: Print the following in your Club Newsletter or send to your members in your E-News, when timely and appropriate. We want the members to know what GAT does for them!
AANR GAT Prepares for 2009 Legislation
The AANR Government Affairs Team (GAT) has been focusing on preparing for the 2009 legislative sessions to begin. Though the elections in the United States have just concluded this week, states are already beginning to file drafts of their bills. Iowa has a draft bill filed concerning indecent exposure. Michigan has two bills related to regulating adult entertainment. And keep your eye on the rearview mirror for Washington State to continue their battle to put your DNA in the “bad boys” database for mere simple nudity convictions. But you can rely on your AANR membership dollars to be there through the Credible Voice of Reason for Nude Recreation!
This year was fairly mild in the number of bills that were tracked and the severity of those bills, which is common in an election year. Unfortunately, the trend after an election year tends to generate an increased number of bills as the newly formed Senate and House of Representatives begin to define themselves as a whole. Seasoned lawmakers return with new enthusiasm to continue their previously defined positions on bills that didn’t become laws in 2008, and new lawmakers jockey for status in their new roles. Though the tides of politics shift with each term, the underlying momentum from the previous year is always a factor.
In October, members of AANR GAT participated in a StateNet Refresher Course. New members completed Basic Training through one-on-one sessions with our StateNet representative. Next week’s monthly GAT Chat will also focus on process of monitoring and tracking legislation and regulations through the
StateNet software tool that allows us to work virtually across the United States as a team. To learn more about StateNet, visit: www.statenet.com .
Join the Government Affairs Team
AANR GAT is led by Government Affairs Chair Alonzo Stevens and comprised of a chair or team member from each region. Each region has an extended team of AANR members or volunteers just like you who assist us where they live, work, and play. If you find yourself compelled to become an AANR Advocate, please contact the Chair in your region or any of the team members.
{editors note – the names & email addresses were snipped out here but were included in the AANR-NW.org eNews mailing earlier today.}
AANR Legislative Tracking
AANR encourages our membership to assist in the process of tracking bills and news impacting nude recreation. Always contact the AANR Office before taking action. This ensures that your actions are aligned with the strategy underway for any particular bill or advocacy effort. Remember, AANR GAT works for you!
