“… To those who wonder ‘How can you sell lingerie without showing naked women?’ Here is the answer: YOU SHOW THE LINGERIE! …”

By: American Decency Staff

Why would a child need/want lingerie?Personal note: At times, there is this sense that it is only "old fogies" who have a problem with the manner in which Victoria's Secret markets their merchandise. You know – that simply just isn't the case as evidenced by this well written email (below) which we received yesterday from a married woman in her 20s.**** I feel like a lot of people just don't "get it" when it comes to Victoria's Secret. Parents should be outraged by a lingerie company targeting their kids. Why would a child need/want lingerie? Women should be outraged by any company that perpetuates the unattainable, "ideal" feminine beauty standards achieved only through genetics + professional makeup + anorexia + lighting + digital enhancement + plastic surgery + hair extensions + airbrushing… Men should be outraged by any company that robs them of a fulfilling, truly intimate relationship with a real woman – and make no mistake, VS does just that. The Centerfold Syndrome is an epidemic among American men. Also, wouldn't it be so much more exciting to see your wife in lingerie if you really never saw women baring it all? It would be something special. Here is another thought: would you pose in your underwear for a widely distributed "catalog"? Would you walk half naked down a runway in front of a live audience and who knows how many television viewers? Such vanity and lack of modesty is startling and unnatural to me! The sad thing is probably many would do it "if they looked like those models". This brings me to a point brought up by someone whose email you included last time. The person states "But at the same time it shows where the minds of WOMEN are. I'm tired of men being blamed for the vulgarity of women. The norm is that women will do just about anything for money, as the porno, and entertainment industry proves." I know in my heart that women don't just do it for money. We all need money, but many of us could never bring ourselves to stripping, prostituting, or "modeling" lingerie. There is something much deeper going on here and when we have 1 in 3 girls being sexually molested before their 18th birthday it is no wonder that so many young women view themselves as sex objects. Like Playboy, Victoria's Secret is determined to be a household name. It is silly to have lingerie "fashion shows" on network television, but in this way VS can infiltrate the homes of Americans. They are gaining ground as an iconic corporation despite carrying very lame, goofy fashions (my opinion). To those who wonder "How can you sell lingerie without showing naked women?" Here is the answer: YOU SHOW THE LINGERIE! Obviously VS knows that the product cannot stand on its own merit and that is why they sell sex instead. Your friend, K.G. === Another voice: We each need to make it clear to our local malls that as long as a Victoria's Secret is occupying space there, we will not shop at the mall. I make it a point to call each store in a mall and tell them exactly WHY I never shop at their store—–because they share mall space with VS. I also suggest that we all contact TV channels and tell them we are NOT interested in seeing VS's modeling show. Fox News, supposedly so conservative, repeats it over and over. Thank you for your concern. V.P. ACTION: If you live in the greater Grand Rapids area, let us know if you will stand up with us. email: bjohnson@americandecency.org Re: What about your mutual funds? You may want to consider transferring to THE TIMOTHY PLAN -morally screened mutual funds that have zero tolerance for investments in Victoria's Secret or any other company linked to pornography or anti-family entertainment. You can contact www.timothyplan.com or call them at 1-800-846-7526. What about your mutual funds? ***GROWTH FUND OF AMERICA INC ***INVESTMENT COMPANY OF AMERICA ***WASHINGTON MUTUAL INVESTORS FUND ***OAKMARK SELECT FUND ***OAKMARK FUND ***HARTFORD CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND ***FUNDAMENTAL INVESTORS INC ***VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND ***RS INVESTMENT TRUST-VALUE FUND ***JP MORGAN MID CAP VALUE FUND VICTORIA'S SECRET IS AN ATTACK UPON THE SOUL OF AMERICA. Take Action: (1) Don't spend a single dollar with Victoria's Secret or its subsidiaries (2) Urge others to do the same. Contact us for a Victoria's Secret bumper sticker and display it in a prominent place – like your bumper. "Victoria's Dirty Secret: PORNOGRAPHY" "Victoria: Keep Your Secrets Covered" Call or email us at: 1-888-733-2326 or email: kimberly@americandecency.org (3) CONTACT VICTORIA'S SECRET and speak out locally where concerns exist — Victoria's Secret Grace A. Nichols 4 Limited Pkwy. East Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 Phone: 614-577-7000 Fax: 614-577-7047 email: http://www2.victoriassecret.com/html/custsrvc/contact/comments/ Email service@victoriassecret.com The Limited (owns Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, White Barn Candle Company) Leslie Wexner, CEO Three Limited Parkway Columbus, OH 43230 800-756-4449 Lastly, Match Grant. We received this gracious offer from an anonymous donor. "… I would like to again offer a $15,000 matching grant to anyone who hasn't given since 12/31/05 or to anyone who gives more than what they gave in 2006 (e.g. if they gave $1,000 in '06 and gave $1500 in '07, we will match the $500 increase as long as it was given between 9/10/07-12/31/07). We will match these gifts received from 9/10/07 through 12/31/07." Help us meet this challenge. Thanks so much – https://secure4.afo.net/ada/main.php?f=donate/display9 American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 https://americandecency.org

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