Actionable Intelligence

On May 13, 2009, I came across this article City resolves to ask state parks to enforce nudity laws published in the Auburn Journal, local news outlet for Auburn, California.The Auburn City Council recently unanimously approved a resolution presented by Councilman Kevin Hanley which demands that the state park superintendent and rangers for the Auburn State Recreation Area (pictured at left), responsible for the supervision of a stretch of beach along the American River step up enforcement of Section 4322 of Title 14 of the California Administrative Code regarding nudity in the state parks at a local river beach area at issue, named in the resolution. According to Hanley the area is frequented by nude sunbathers and more recently, those who use the area for “open-air sexual encounters.” With words smacking of prudery, Hanley testily reminded state park officials that he “knows the law” and that the Auburn City Council expects them to vigorously enforce the anti-nudity law for the benefit of Auburn residents who enjoy using the recreation area for clothed pursuits.

Based on the article referenced as well as on some additional research I found utilizing The Nude Beach Alliance web site, it seems that the area in question has a long history of use by naturists, nudists and others who simply enjoy being able to sunbathe in the buff. The current issue apparently stems from the fact that while this particular section of the river was once very remote, the likely reason it was chosen for nude sunbathing in the first place, it has been opened up since last year as the result of a water pump construction project by the Placer County Water Agency.

Mike Lynch, sector superintendent for the Auburn State Recreation Area, said state parks rangers do respond to any type of illegal activity, including illicit sexual acts in their jurisdiction, but that it has been a long-standing department policy to make response to complaints of nude sunbathing, when practiced in remote areas not readily available to the public, a low priority and that rangers only act when they receive citizen complaints. He also noted that authorities have not experienced any increase in the number of complaints received concerning the area in question despite the increased more-public access.

While Councilman Hanley was quick to throw in the allegation that the area is used for “lewd” purposes, the only citizen quoted in the article was Weimar resident Andrea Rose who said she would like to see more enforcement in the area because she likes to go hiking in the area with her 10 and 11 year-old sons and their redbone coonhound. “It’s a beautiful site and I would love to take my two kids there without having to worry about what they might see,” Rose said. I interpret her statement to mean that it isn’t lewdness that Ms. Rose is concerned about but more the fact that she simply doesn’t want her two sons exposed to nudity. Given that the Auburn State Recreation Area encompasses some 35,000 acres along 40 miles of the North and Middle Forks of the American River, I would think that Ms. Rose could find another part of it to hike with her children and dog if she is so concerned about her children being exposed to nudity.

This is just another example of textiles who believe their rights and opinions are superior to those of naturists and nudists just because they have outdated and antiquated laws on their side to enforce their own prudish standards of morality. I do agree that any real complaints about lewdness are justified and should be acted on by the state park law enforcement officials, but this whole story simply smelled of anti-nudity to me. Out of the seventeen comments posted by readers to the on-line version of the Auburn Journal story, the majority were either decidedly opposed to the city council resolution or considered nudity in this particular beach area a non-issue altogether, pointing out that the city had a lot more pressing issues that the council should be addressing instead of worrying about nude sunbathers on the American River. The article is still available for comments. I urge all naturists and nudists, whether you live in the Auburn, California or not, to register your opinions on this article. The article itself is still available for comments or you could also write to City Councilman Kevin Hanley directly at hanleykh@jps.net and make your thoughts known. One other recommended action is writing to California State Parks Department at info@parks.ca.gov to tell Auburn State Recreation Area Superintendent Mike Lynch, that you feel his agency already addresses the issue in a fair and balanced way and to urge him not to give in to pressure from special interests like the Auburn City Council. Here is an example of the “actionable intelligence” I spoke about in my previous series, “Shock and Awe”. While you may not live in California at all, much less this particular area, it is important that all naturists and nudists begin standing together to oppose anti-nude legislation and governmental actions. Make your voice and your opinions heard!

Shock and Awe Part 3: Dominant Battlefield Awareness

Dominant battlefield awareness speaks of near total or absolute knowledge and understanding of self, adversary and environment; rapidity and timeliness in application; operational brilliance in execution; and (near) total control and signature management of the entire operational environment. If we distill this concept to its lowest common denominator that means “be informed” and be willing and ready to react in a proactive way to counter threats.

It isn’t difficult at all to get and stay informed about naturists and nudist issues. There are numerous “nudist” news search engines available on the internet for you to learn about current articles in print and Internet journalism about nudist issues and happenings. Just Google search terms like “nude news”, “nudist news” or “naturist news” and you will find a plethora of links to nudity in the news links. Blogs like USAnudists.com have nudist news archives and many nudists sites now have scrolling nudist news article summaries with links you can peruse. One of the best resources is the Naturists Action Committee Alerts, Advisories and Updates available on the NAC web site. Don’t overlook your own television and printed news outlets which frequently feature articles related to naturism and nudism. These sources are what the military terms “intelligence” assets, but obtaining intelligence, getting and staying informed is only part of the process.

Once you become aware of “actionable intelligence” here is where you too can employ “surgically precise guided munitions” by becoming a prolific correspondent. Exercise your “right” to write. Heed the clarion calls of NAC Alerts and join in the letter writing campaigns that are frequently solicited. The participation of all naturists and nudists to resist any new efforts to curb our rights and liberties are vital. Don’t fall for the old trap that if it isn’t happening somewhere near you it doesn’t effect you. Restriction and suspension of naturist and nudist rights anywhere in this country affects all of us. If those who oppose social nudity are successful in one place you can bet that opposition in another place will be motivated to spring up and try the employment of similar ideas and tactics. When you see attacks on naturism and nudism occurring right in your own local area, get busy writing your councilmen, aldermen, commissioners, state or federal representatives and register your opinions in opposition. Make certain they know you support social nudity and that you vote and will not support those who align themselves with anti-nudism policies. It should go without saying that every naturist or nudist everywhere in this country should be registered to vote and active in the exercise of this important privilege and responsibility shared by every citizen in a free society.

Become such a frequent writer that you become something of an “inconvenient truth” to your local politicians, a voice that insists on being heard and that refuses to be silenced. You don’t even need a NAC Alert as an excuse for beginning a targeted letter writing campaign to advocate nudism. Research your own local laws and ordinances about public nudity and demand that those which criminalize “mere nudity” be changed. Most of these archaic laws could not pass constitutional muster anyway because in too many courts, it has become a long accepted precedent that “mere nudity” is simply a natural human state and alone is not unlawful and unless coupled with “lewd” behavior, not a crime. Involve yourself in the political process. Not only by holding your representatives accountable for which side they come down on with respect to nudist issues but consider financial contributions and active participation in campaigns to keep nudist-friendly legislators in office and to have anti-nudist representatives thrown out. Encourage nudist friends to register to vote, vote and to become active in the political system as well.

If you are a competent writer who can intelligently articulate your views there are other ways to exercise your right to write besides writing letters to political representatives. Consider writing letters and/or articles about naturism and nudism and sending them to local and national publications and media outlets requesting publication. Editors do respond to the interests of their readers. Even the publisher of your conservative hometown newspaper might allow a more objective view of naturism if he hears from even only a few people like you. What do you say? The main thing is to let the publisher know that social nudity is a healthy, family friendly activity practiced by people even among his or her publication's readership. You can also publish and post to your own blog. This is one of those fastest growing areas in the world for the sharing of information, ideas and opinions. There are a good number of blogs already that promote naturism and nudism in a positive and wholesome way, but there is always room for more. These are just a few suggestions on how you can develop and effectively use “actionable intelligence” to achieve dominant battlefield awareness.

Next Installment - Shock and Awe Part 4: Dominant Maneuver