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June 2016 President's Message
by Richard Mason
Politics and nude recreation
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Being involved in naturism from the proactive, political, and legal areas of the issue, you always end up with an attitude embedded in you from the U.S. Constitution that naturism is part of your "rights." Others may say that there is no constitutional right to be nude. It is not in the Constitution.
If all "rights" were listed in such a document, it would be a very lengthy one. It would have to be published in book form, and that (those) book(s) would most likely come in a set, not too different from the old Encyclopædia Britannica. My dad had a set in its own bookcase, about 20 volumes, of which I was told he had read the whole collection over several winters.
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Leaders in Florida Legislature collect millions to spend on political causes
In his SFFB President's Message in the March 2016 issue, Richard Mason discussed the daunting challenge for relatively small groups like SFFB to get the ear of elected officials amidst the flood of large donations from commercial and industrial interests with deep pockets. Richard quoted just a few paragraphs from a report by Ramon Maury, President of Maury Management Group, who is SFFB's lobbyist in Tallahassee, Florida's capital, about the vast amount of money that was pouring into legislative leaders' political action committees.
Ramon has since brought to our attention a Tampa Tribune / Naples Daily News article by Jeff Schweers, published on April 21, outlining the continuing torrent of cash being raised by leaders of the Florida legislature for their pet causes through political action committees. Under current law, there is only limited transparency or accountability for how these committees spend their funds. As discussed toward the end of the article, a bill was introduced in the 2016 Florida legislative session to require more robust reporting. Not surprisingly, the bill never received a hearing.
The article starts out, "Florida's legislative leaders have millions of dollars of cash to spend as they see fit on state and local races and ballot initiatives this election season thanks to a state law that allows the almost unrestricted flow of campaign dollars.
"They don't even have to say who benefits from their largesse and their fellow lawmakers have shown little interest in requiring that they do so.
"Jack Latvala [above right], the Clearwater Republican who is in line to be Senate appropriations chairman next session, has $1.9 million on hand in his Florida Leadership Committee.
"Tom Lee, the former Senate president from Brandon who was the most recent appropriations chairman, also has close to $2 million in his political committee, called The Conservative.
"Joe Negron [above left], the Stuart Republican elected by his peers to be Senate president next year, has $1.4 million to spend from his Treasure Coast Alliance committee.
"And Bill Galvano, Republican Senator from Bradenton who was in charge of last year's failed redistricting effort and may consider a run for Senate president in the future, has about $1 million in his Innovate Florida fund."
Read the full article
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Having spent over two years (off and on) in a law library with my wife, Shirley, studying the "naturist issue" and the case law that supports an American citizen's rights, I learned a few things about "Intent" and about "Original Meaning." I capitalize those words because they had a very specific definition during the times that the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
What is important to understand is the times in which the Founding Fathers lived. The whole span of their lives before the Revolution was under British rule with the interpretation of lawfulness and unlawfulness of those times. Reading the history of the era, you get to the core of the Original Meaning and the Intent.
| Today, ... jurists and people in the legal profession ... are advocating that new legal disputes over constitutional issues ... be looked at from the "Original Meaning" of the words at the time [the Constitution was written]. |
While many of their ideas came from both the French and British writers of their day, there is a strong body of evidence that the democracy part of it came from the Native Americans and the Iroquois Federation of Nations. Older women were advisers and even could be elected a chief.
Today, we have a new group of jurists and people in the legal profession (in the mold of the late Justice Scalia) who are advocating that new legal disputes over constitutional issues that come before the U.S. Supreme Court must be looked at from the "Original Meaning" of the words at the time. Then, they interpret those words to mean what they want them to mean to meet their predetermined opinion.
Many scholars have stated that these jurists are attempting to change the Original Meaning of words by changing the definition of the words. What's new?
That is why elections are important. The future of America is not being determined by the person in the Oval Office as much as the judges who sit in the federal court system and the U.S. Supreme Court are crafting it. Yes, the President makes the appointments, but who recommends those appointments to the President?
Would you be surprised to learn that it is the same people who made the large donations to the presidential candidates? Would you also be surprised to learn that those recommended do not have their name picked out of a hat, but are pre-selected from the time they leave law school, by whom they intern with, what law societies they belong to, how they behave when given federal legal jobs in several agencies, and what their core beliefs are, as learned during evening meals at the homes of the owners of large corporations and law firms as well as lobbyists? Nothing is left to chance. Nothing!
In a country where everyone of us owns an equal share of it and we have a one person, one vote Constitution, that is supposed to mean that the poorest of us is equal in the voting booth to the billionaire. Great concept, legally established.
| [T]hey have a silent strategy to change ... the voting laws [and] influence ... the average voter to vote ... based not on what is in their best interest, but on what they fear. |
Would it surprise you to learn that people and corporations and real estate moguls, the insurance industry, and the banking industry owners and executives don't like that one person, one vote law?
So, it stands to reason that they have a silent strategy to change the rules. One way is to change the voting laws. The second is to influence the mind of the average voter to vote a certain way based not on what is in their best interest, but on what they fear.
The skills outlined in the writings of Joseph Goebbels, propaganda chief of a European political party in the 1920s and a government strategist for a major European country during the 1930s and '40s are still effective today. So are the modern advertising and marketing techniques of today. If they can get you to choose one product over another by psychographically understanding you, they can get you to vote for a candidate of their choice.
Next is the strategy to lower taxes so that government regulatory agencies have smaller budgets, fewer inspectors, and even fewer lawyers to bring lawsuits to protect the citizens. That also means fewer roads, fewer road-widening projects, less money for medical research, and pick one from your area of interest.
Because government has evolved over the last century as a protector of the people, the regulator of corporations, and the writer of the tax code, and that power has been adjudicated by the federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court as constitutionally legal, it has become imperative for those who only have one vote to believe that they need to control that government and its legislature and its judges so as to decrease regulation and increase their wealth.
Many U.S. Senators and Congressmen, after we elect them, then sign an oath with a third party not to increase taxes. Those individuals should be identified and not re-elected. Why? Because it is only certain taxes they don't increase, while they increase fees to citizens on almost everything they can. Next, they want to charge you a fee to visit a park in the National Park system.
| [O]ften, the legislator, prosecutor, or judge that rules in favor of laws that impinge on the rights of other minorities also favors laws to make nude recreation unlawful. |
I will let you be the judge of the current situation of President Obama's appointment of Judge Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Garland's judicial history indicates he is a moderate. But those who control the U.S. House of representatives and the U.S. Senate are blocking that appointment. Why? The blocking of that appointment is the shining example I offer you to support the thesis of this article. So, folks, are you ready to vote in your best interest?
I have learned, over the past 27 years of lobbying, that often, the legislator, prosecutor, or judge that rules in favor of laws that impinge on the rights of other minorities also favors laws to make nude recreation unlawful.
Voting as well as not voting has consequences. Being a citizen in this country is tough. You have to accept responsibility for your government. Do due diligence of candidates and either get out of your house to vote or make timely arrangements to do so by mail. If you are a U.S. citizen but not registered to vote, register now.
I will simplify it for you: Look for a candidate with a good heart and "Follow the Money."
Thank you for your continued support and, if you are not a current member, please consider becoming one - numbers matter. Join at sffb.com or fill out an application on printed page 7 of the Naturist Beach Guide booklet found in the news dispenser boxes on Haulover Beach.
Even if you're not ready to (re)join just yet, please consider donating to SFFB/FNA's Legal Defense & Political Action Fund (not tax-deductible) to help with current challenges. Thanks!
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Update: 25th Anniversary of Haulover Naturist Beach
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How you can help get the word out
1) Visit the Facebook listing for this event and do the following:
• Click on Going or Interested.
• Click on Invite and select all your friends that may like to attend. Then, click on Send Invites.
• Click on Invite and then on Share Event. Where it says, "Say something about this," enter brief introductory comments such as "Click below to take part in the 25th Anniversary celebration of Haulover Naturist Beach, July 9-10." Select Public or other distribution you're comforatabe with, and then click on Post.
• Repeat above step but, instead of the default, Share on your own timeline (near the top of the form), select Share in a group and select appropriate groups to share this with, e.g., other naturist groups you may belong to. You can also share on friends' timelines, as you deem appropriate.
2) Visit the original tweet for this event and retweet it to your Twitter followers.
3) Share this newsletter with friends.
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South Florida Free Beaches / Florida Naturist Association (SFFB/FNA) and B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation Institute invite you to celebrate with us on Haulover Beach in Miami the 25th anniversary of Haulover's clothing-optional section on the weekend of July 9-10, 2016. (In case of bad weather, it will take place the following weekend, July 16-17.)
The celebration includes:
• Food and beverage service
• Music and entertainment
• Body-painting contest
• Volleyball competition
• Naturist beach merchandise
• Naturist tour and travel auction
Activities and entertainment. These will take place on Saturday, July 9, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Planning is under way for a live DJ, serving of anniversary cake, games, and more. Keep an eye on the 25th Anniversary web page for updates and additions.
Recognition of naturist clubs and other entities. Naturist clubs and entities such as nudist resorts and other businesses from all over the United States and Canada are being invited to attend as a group and fly their banners in a show of naturist unity and diversity. This is targeted for Saturday, July 9, but groups have the option of doing it on Sunday as well.
Naturist expo. Naturist clubs, resorts, and other businesses have an option to rent space for a very limited number of exhibitor booths. A select group of food trucks are also being lined up, and B.E.A.C.H.E.S. will be providing frozen treats and merchandise such as T-shirts, beach towels, and sarongs for set donations. This is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 9-10. For information on booths, see the Legacy Boosters info sheet. For questions or to reserve a booth, contact Shirley ASAP by e-mail or phone at 1 (305) 620-7090 no later than June 6, 2016.
Coming from out of town? We have arranged for special rates at area hotels, but space is filling up fast. We urge immediate reservations for the best selection of rooms. See the list of suggested lodgings in descending order of proximity to Haulover Beach parking. Rates are per room, per night, before taxes (14% in Miami Beach). Tell them you're coming for the Haulover Beach 25th anniversary event.
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Newly placed signs on Fire Island beaches alert to expansion of anti-nudity enforcement
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Signs like this one were recently posted in new locations on Fire Island.
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When officials of the National Park Service's Fire Island National Seashore on Long Island, NY announced in February 2013 that they would start enforcing the state's nudity ban on federal properties under their management, causing the loss to naturists of Lighthouse Beach, they stated in writing that they did not plan to extend their enforcement to the beaches of Cherry Grove or, to its east, Fire Island Pines, and that their focus would exclude the federally-owned Carrington Tract, much of which is a densely wooded area that separates those two communities.
The officials stated that Suffolk County police had jurisdiction over beaches not under the Seashore's control, but noted that the police had not enforced the state's nudity ban on them. Nudity on the beaches in front of the Grove and the Pines is not widespread, but clothing-optional use of the beachfront in the secluded Carrington Tract has for decades been popular and accepted.
Recently, signs stating, "Clothing Required" have appeared near the eastern edge of the Grove's beach and near the western edge of the Pines' beach. On May 10, Bruce-Michael Gelbert, editor of Fire Island Q News and Cherry Grove columnist for Fire Island Tide, wrote to Seashore officials, requesting an explanation. They responded that the targeting of their anti-nudity enforcement includes the Carrington Tract, clearly an expansion of their focus over the past three years.
With the recent kickoff of Fire Island's high season over Memorial Day weekend, it will be interesting to see how this development plays out because it could generate user conflict as nude bathers migrate to the busier beaches in front of Cherry Grove and the Pines. These communities, with a large proportion of LGBT residents, are known for their tolerance and festive atmosphere as an exotic and hard-partying summer resort, but an increase in nudity on their beaches as bathers abandon the more remote, traditionally clothing-optional area may put those to the test.
For background and details, follow these links, most of which lead to articles in Fire Island Q News:
• FINS policy on nudity on Grove & Pines beaches clarified (May 2016)
• Paradise lost? FINS rangers update position on nudity on the beach (August 2014)
• Nude sunbathing ban won't affect popular Fire Island Pines resort (March 2, 2013)
• FINS: Nudity on Fire Island beaches will be limited (February 2013)
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Treasure Coast Naturists active in Fort Pierce, FL
The core group that formed Friends of Blind Creek Beach two years ago in Fort Pierce, FL has resurrected a previously existing entity, Treasure Coast Naturists (TCN), and reorganized as TCN's Board of Directors. TCN not only functions as the mentor of Blind Creek Beach, but is also positioned to become the go-to citizens' group for all naturist matters in St. Lucie and neighboring counties.
The group marks its second anniversary and reaches out to the community during the weekend of June 10-12 by hosting a booth at the 4th Annual Treasure Coast Lionfish Safari at Fort Pierce City Marina. Stop by to say hello, get on their list, make a donation, and pick up Blind Creek Beach paraphernalia such as bumper stickers and a decorative front auto tag (license plate).
For Nude Recreation Week in July, TCN conducts its 2nd Annual Blind Creek Beach Skinny-Dip on Sunday, July 10 at 2:00 p.m. Expectations are strong to exceed last year's crowd of 123 skinny-dippers in the water at one time.
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Volunteers collect trash on Blind Creek Beach on September 19, 2015 as part of the annual International Coastal Cleanup Day.
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Free the Nipple wins again in New Hampshire
We reported in the March 2016 issue that the New Hampshire House of Representatives had overwhelmingly rejected a proposed bill to ban the public exposure of female nipples (with an exception for breastfeeding). Current New Hampshire statute does not address exposure of nipples, making top-freedom a legal fact for males and females alike.
A new bill was introduced to give to towns and the New Hampshire Department of Economic Resources and Development, which has jurisdiction over state parks, the ability to regulate hours and dress (which could include banning exposure of nipples) at public sites for bathing, sunbathing, and swimming. Last summer, women had appeared topless at Hampton Beach State Park (see photo below) to demonstrate their support for the Free the Nipple campaign in favor of top-free equality, precipitating attempts to legislate against it.
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Haulover corrections and clarifications
We regret that, in last month's issue, we erroneously cited Bark Park hours as Dog Beach hours on Haulover Beach. Dog Beach Days are Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. between lifeguard towers 2 and 3. In an apparent update, the official web page of Haulover Park lists Bark Park hours as 8 a.m. to sunset every day. The dog park is located near the south picnic area of Haulover Park. The user fee for either amenity is $2 (cash only) per vehicle, provided at least one of the passengers is a dog.
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We also didn't furnish sufficient detail in describing the area where (rubber) horseshoe toss is now authorized on Haulover Beach. This activity is allowed either alongside the wooden fences on the north and south end of the clothing-optional section of Haulover Beach or anywhere along the length of the beach, parallel to the hard-pack sand where the emergency vehicles drive (i.e., lined up with the volleyball courts). As mentioned in the original article, flags or stakes must not be used to mark boundaries because they present a hazard if anyone trips or falls on them.
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Reminder: Women in Naturism Weekend, June 4-5
This is a final reminder that a number of naturist resorts and clubs in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are celebrating Women in Naturism Weekend (WINW), June 4-5, 2016. WINW is an international open house by women for women with the purpose of introducing women to the naturist way of life and providing naturist women an opportunity to network.
American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), British Naturism (BN), The Naturist Society, and Women in Nude Recreation (WINR) are helping promote this event. Visit AANR's WINW web page and scroll down for a growing list of participating locations in the U.S., including Florida. You can follow discussion of the weekend under the hashtag, #WINW on Facebook and Twitter.
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On April 28, the House Municipal and County Government Committee voted with only one dissent to declare the new bill as "inexpedient to legislate," as it had done with the previous bill, and the full House voted by voice on May 11 to confirm that determination, killing the bill. The Committee was concerned about the risk that municipal authorities might try to limit free expression and about the resource drain that defending against lawsuits that might be filed to challenge such regulation on First Amendment grounds would entail. It also wanted to remain consistent with its earlier recommendation to reject the previous anti-nipple bill. For details, read House rejects toplessness bill.
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SFFB Board meeting
The Board of Directors of South Florida Free Beaches meets on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. on Haulover Beach in the meeting / training room inside the Ocean Rescue Lifeguard Station building. Enter through the door on the right as you face the building with your back to the ocean, or through the garage on the north side if it's open. The meeting is open to SFFB sponsors / members, supporters, and invited guests.
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Thong group meets up on Fort Lauderdale Beach
Are you local to Fort Lauderdale and do you feel as though you're the only thonger around? Members and friends of Fort Lauderdale Thong Beach Meetup gather on Fort Lauderdale Beach on Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Join them there at North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard (State Road A1A) and NE 18th Street, just south of Pelican Grand Beach Resort. Later, they meet for Fetish Sundays, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at Pure Platinum in Oakland Park, FL, when the cover charge is waived if you mention the thong group.
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Harper's Bazaar runs #NudeWeek series of articles
Between May 16 and 19, Harper's Bazaar ran a series of articles under the banner, #NudeWeek, celebrating being in the buff. A few of the articles have only a semantic connection to nudity (e.g., the ones about nude shades of lipstick and dresses), but the series includes several relevant and rewarding reads, including famous nude moments in history and legend, breastfeeding, body image, renowned and beloved fine art images of nudes, best nude photos published in Harper's Bazaar, quotations on nudity from celebrities, a nude yoga workout for women, top-freedom (see related article above), and more.
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Spain's Supreme Court lets Cádiz nudity ban stand
Clothing is generally optional on beaches throughout Spain. An exception to this is the ban on nudity imposed by the port city and popular tourist destination of Cádiz on the southwestern coast. Violators face a draconian fine of up to €750 (approximately $840).
The Spanish Federation of Naturism (FEN) challenged the ordinance on constitutional grounds as a denial of freedom of ideology. Ending seven years of litigation, the Supreme Court of Spain upheld the ordinance on May 20, ruling that the ban is within the city's management prerogatives and that FEN had failed to establish that nudism is a practice accepted by a majority of beachgoers. The ruling applies to beaches edging Cádiz, but users may go nude on beaches outside city limits. For details, read No clothes? No beach. Court rules against Spanish naturists.
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Beach Ambassador training
Do you spend a lot of time on Miami's nude beach? If so, you have a chance to give back by volunteering as a Beach Ambassador (BA) to help maintain naturist standards on Haulover Beach and keep it safely nude for all to enjoy. Sign up for and attend a training to become part of a wonderful corps of volunteers.
BAs serve as beach monitors and greeters, a combination of block watch and welcome wagon. For their service, BAs at Haulover Beach get a cool hat, ID badge, and free parking on their duty days. Seasonal residents are welcome to participate.
The next Beach Ambassador training is scheduled for Haulover Beach in Miami on Sunday, August 21. The next one after that is on Saturday, November 12. If you have any questions or wish to sign up for a training session, contact Ken.
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