The last thing I want to do is re-ignite the debate over our Love and Primo boards. But something disturbing has happened in our small state. What started as genuine concern over a couple of board graphics somehow morphed into a full blown attack on Burton, on the work I have done personally to advance the cause of women’s issues and even on the non-profit Chill Foundation, which we founded. I understand why some people might not like these graphics. I don’t understand why they have become the target of so much anger and outrage in the Vermont community.

I’ll admit that when I was first told about the ‘Love’ board about a year ago, I was ready to go off. Pornographic images of women on a snowboard? I don’t think so. But then I saw them. Like the people walking into my kitchen, the images I saw were not what I expected. These are not X-rated images. These are vintage Playboy images from as far back as the 1970s. They are beautiful, kitschy, well-fed models; nothing obscene is revealed. These board graphics are retro, tongue-in-cheek and, in my opinion, harmless. They certainly have what real pornography always lacks – a sense of humor.