An opinion piece:

Yesterday, I posted a drawing of my vagina on Facebook.  

Technically, I posted a drawing that is supposed to depict a typical woman’s vagina.  

Actually, maybe I only linked to a post that featured a drawing of a vagina. I can’t go back and fact check because Facebook deleted the entry. But I think the posting looked something like this:

Today, I received the grownup equivalent of a pink slip from the bus driver—I found the following when I attempted to access my Facebook account.

We removed content you posted

We removed the following content you posted or were the admin of because it violates Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities: http://motherwiselife.org/2013/03/11/an-open-letter-to-facebook/

Facebook made me click through a list of its rules, shook its finger at me, and told me if I did it again, I could get banned.

Really, banned? Banned for posted an anatomically correct drawing of a woman’s body?  A textbook drawing that an eight grader could see in any Human Sexuality class?

Banned when this is okay? Or this? (It took me exactly one minute to find these. There are a lot more on Facebook.)

The original post from Mother Wise was intended to educate not titillate. In the words of the author,

I posted an anatomical drawing of a vulva; something that looks like a page out of an anatomy textbook. It was posted for educational purposes to help women get to know their bodies…

Her original post was taken down by Facebook and she wrote a blog post asking…

why pictures of women stay up if [they are] visually stimulating to men, but a cartoon drawing that will help women empower themselves and gain knowledge is considered pornographic, and gets removed?

I’m going to ask that again. Why is this link okay? And this drawing below not?

It is possible that since those other more salacious sites remain up and my post was taken down, one of the people who follow me complained.  Someone might have told the bus driver I posted a picture of women’s naughty bits. To that person, unfriend me. Don’t sit beside me on the bus and look at my writings and then claim to be shocked. Those aren’t “naughty bits.” Those are standard equipment on half the human races’ bodies. If you can’t stomach looking at them, we obviously have very different values and I don’t think my Facebook page is the place for you.   

To Facebook, have the intelligence to look at a complaint and make a reasonable distinction between titillation and education.

And you, you reading this…Don’t just sigh and move on.  You know this isn’t right.  You can do something.  Share this post. Tell your friends and tell Facebook that women have the right to information about their bodies.

Does anyone think there is a heck of a lot more to the story?

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Press Release:

On Tuesday September 25, 2012 at approximately 0118 hours Deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Eel River Road and Ridgeway Highway in Potter Valley for a reported victim of a gunshot wound to the foot.

On arrival Deputies were advised by the victim, identified as Nicholas Andrew Noel, that he had been camping in the bushes about ten miles up the Deshield Ranch Road from Eel River Road, but could not describe the exact location. Noel advised there was a bear in the area, so he grabbed his shotgun and was looking for the bear when he accidentally shot himself in the right foot.

Noel said he immediately applied his belt as a tourniquet to his leg to stop the bleeding. Noel said he got a ride from two unknown persons who happened to be driving by his location in a vehicle he could not describe. He was subsequently dropped off at the intersection where deputies located him. The two unknown persons then drove to a residence on Van Arsdale Road and used used the residents phone to call 911. The two unknown subjects then left the area.

Noel was transported to the Ukiah Valley Medical Center for treatment to his non life threatening injury.

The Random People’s Monologue/ Dialogue Project will present its seventh annual production of locally written, directed and performed vignettes. “Tell Me More/ Ten Tales” were presented Friday and Saturday.  They will also be available Sunday, March 18th at 2PM at the Mateel Community Center in Redway. Doors open a half hour before the performance and tickets are available at the door for $12-20 sliding scale. Refreshment will be offered by South Fork High School as a fund raiser for various activities.

This year’s production is produced by Anna Roger and Marilyn Foote who also fill various other roles. Jenny Edwards and Susan Alexander remain involved and invaluable to the production as directors, writing consultants, and stage expertise. This year we have several new authors and several old favorites. A little something for everyone.

SoHum Label GMO’s Press Release:

The SoHum Label GMO’s group will show the movies Unnatural Selection and Monster Salmon at the Mateel Community Center on Friday, March 30th. Doors open at 6 pm, movies start at 8 pm. Come early to sign the petition and snack on GMO-free organic popcorn and 100% GMO-free desserts.

The first movie, Unnatural Selection (one hour), reveals harsh consequences of genetic engineering worldwide.

MORE →

Last nights Arts Alive and Christmas Parade in Garberville enchanted my son and niece (and me.)   Beautiful weather, twinkling lights, floats with bands, motorcycles with candy, parents selling goodies to raise money for school programs, Santa Claus and laughter wrapped us in the holiday spirit.  Thank you everyone who worked so hard to put this on.

Last night, I had to do an errand in town.  I’d put it off all day. When we got there it was almost dark.  The town was lit and bustling with warmly dressed neighbors.  I dropped the kids off to do some Christmas shopping at Allsports and Blue Moon (pure magic for kids.)  When I came back from my errand, I walked through busy streets full of happy people. I  felt as if I has slipped into “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

By now it was dark, but the town sparkled with lights. I poked my head into Allsport looking for my kids.  The owner, Tina, still layered in a warm coat, gloves and a dark wool hat over her pretty blonde hair, asked if I needed help.  When I explained, her face lit up.  “Little redheaded boy, about so tall? Very polite?” Being a parent, I wasn’t sure if that could possibly be my kid but, when it turned out it was,…my heart lit up and I grinned.

Kind words are the Christmas lights of life.

Below, parade photos and winners:

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