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Prime time Victoria's Secret riles viewers, FCC -- The Washington Times
Michael Copps, one of five commissioners at the FCC, urged the agency to revise the definition of indecency and look into whether it should be expanded to include obscene, violent and profane programming.
Mr. Copps, the lone Democrat on the commission
It's quite an embarrassment that it's a Democrat arguing for decency here. Has libertarianism so thoroughly influenced Republicans that they are unwilling to stand for any sort of public decency?
The second annual "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show" featured barely dressed models, including Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks and Gisele Bundchen showing off the lingerie chain's wares.
The women wore bras, panties, garter skirts, thigh-highs and something called "a balconette bra with stretch lace that bares as it lifts," said the company's Web site. Several models — including Miss Klum, Karolina Kurkova and Adriana Lima — strutted onto the runway with giant wings affixed to the backs of their bras.
I know that the Victoria's Secret show has received a lot of criticism from conservatives and the church. But why are we singling this show out? Would it have been less offensive if, instead of wearing bras and panties, the "models" were wearing bikinis? No, we'd call it Baywatch and you wouldn't hear a peep.
Why do we tolerate indecency in all cases but this? Why is it OK to run Temptation Island or the Bachelor but not Victoria's Secret? And why are the Victoria's Secret commercials less offensive to us?
Furthermore, why do we tolerate huge posters and advertisements in the Victoria's Secret stores, but not on TV? At least you can change the channel on TV. It's kind of tough to shop at a mall that has a Victoria's Secret without being exposed to their indecent advertising. The whole layout of the store (a large storefront with lots of glass) makes it literally impossible to avoid seeing it if you want to shop anywhere in the vicinity of the store. But we don't complain about that much, do we?
"You had near-naked women going down the runway, and young girls see this and think this is how beautiful women are supposed to act," said Jan LaRue, chief counsel of Concerned Women for America.
We have near-naked women going down the streets and beaches all the time! We just call their outfits "swimwear" or "halter tops" or "jogging outfits".
Of course, I understand that the Victoria's Secret models were being elevated as standards of beauty in a way that a jogger in a "sports bra" and spandex shorts is not. But the effect is roughly the same.
Modesty is a thing of the past to most young people I see. Their motto seems to be "if you've got it, flaunt it," and they are.
Hell, they flaunt it even before they get 'it'
Posted by: amy on November 25, 2002 08:00 AM