I am not a fan of Facebook. The social media mammoth has done good things for its users, but the harm it has caused to society from its unbridled growth far exceeds any positives.

Having said that, I have been impressed with aspects of Facebook Marketplace, which has been an incredible improvement from Craigslist and newspaper classifieds. A simple layout. Lots of photos. And sellers linked to profiles so you know who you are buying from. Sounds ideal.

But, once again, Facebook’s greed and lack of oversight caught up with it. This point was made once more in a recent NBC News investigative report about organized shoplifters and crime rings using Facebook Marketplace as a go-to destination for selling stolen goods.

The report focuses on the theft of power tools from big-box stores, noting that Facebook makes it easy for criminals to “offload their loot with ease” and that “police say Facebook Marketplace has increasingly become a go-to destination for organized rings that sell items ripped from big-box store shelves.”

The story tells how Facebook has gained a reputation for being slow to respond and cooperate with investigators. E-commerce experts say that Facebook Marketplace’s oversight isn’t keeping up.

Police share that Facebook Marketplace has become the place where thieves spend their time, and it has become a top source for illegal transactions, the NBC report states. The frustration comes from officers who say they have to wait months for Meta to answer requests. Officers told NBC that when they call Facebook for help, they don’t get to speak to anyone directly. They are baffled by the lack of cooperation and point to systems like eBay’s where officers work with a point person throughout a case.

Can Facebook do better? Yes, and they should. But don’t expect any changes until the fines for non-compliance exceed the profits the company is making for operating with their current systems. Until then, be careful out there.

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305

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‘Dougy Doug’s’ holiday sparkle: More than 42,000 Christmas lights dance to music.

By Jackie Wilson

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, a steady line of vehicles drives slowly past Doug Ostrander’s home in Waukee. What’s the big attraction? It’s his Christmas light display, known as Dougy Doug’s Christmas Extravaganza.

With 42,380 lights set to music, swirling lights outline his house as if dancing to “Jingle Bells.” A 6-foot sphere ball changes color. Two 16-foot posts hold up a 12-foot by 12-foot wide virtual TV matrix. Snowflakes spin while other shapes morph into rainbow colors. A 4,800-light mega tree strums lights as if plucking a guitar string to an AC/DC tune.

Doug first began tinkering with lights in college. With a background in electrical engineering, he made colored LED running lights in his car. The LEDs weren’t cost efficient, but he liked a challenge.

[...]

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Winterset Living magazine is published each month and mailed to every household in the community. The January issue cover story, "Pets of a different kind" is about locals who have chosen unusual pets and what they have to say about them. Also included are other features, informational articles and local photos. Each edition, as well as the archives, may be viewed at www.iowalivingmagazines.com. Read the January issue here.

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