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Brickbat: Closing the Thigh Gap

Charles Oliver | 1.7.2015 6:00 AM

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The British Advertising Standards Authority has ordered Urban Outfitters to remove an ad for polka dot mesh briefs from its website. The agency found the model's "thigh gap" indicated she was too thin and the photo could fuel anorexia or cause women to have body image problems.

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Charles Oliver is a contributing editor at Reason.

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  1. Fist of Etiquette   11 years ago

    BASA likes a little junk in the trunk. Or, I guess, loot in the boot.

    1. Ted S.   11 years ago

      She's all about the bass, no tuna.

      1. Bee Tagger   11 years ago

        What synchronicity for the two of you: Canadians would sing "All aboot that bass"

        1. Charles Easterly   11 years ago

          Nice.

  2. Old Man With Candy   11 years ago

    I have a weird deja vu feeling.

    1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

      It happens whenever we apply a live hotfix to the underlying matrix.

    2. Charles Easterly   11 years ago

      Been there, done that, Old Man?

      1. Old Man With Candy   11 years ago

        So has Reason. Missing the triangle with the number in it, though.

        1. Charles Easterly   11 years ago

          I actually read the article yesterday but rather than simply agreeing with your comment I went with levity .

          Somehow I missed the triangle and number.

          1. Old Man With Candy   11 years ago

            It's a 7.

    3. Auric Demonocles   11 years ago

      I hated ENB's missing alt-text slightly less.

  3. Copernicus   11 years ago

    Jesus' H. Cristo! Just the phrase "thigh gap" gives me a boner.

    1. mr lizard   11 years ago

      STEVE SMITH NOT REQUIRE GAP...BUT NOT COMPLAINING.

      1. Bobarian (Mr. Xtreme)   11 years ago

        STEVE SMITH MAKE OWN GAP!

  4. invisible furry hand   11 years ago

    The clearly hairless model also promotes hair removal, with the well-known risk of ingrown hairs.

  5. invisible furry hand   11 years ago

    At least ten dead in attack by 2 gunmen on the office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in central Paris

    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30710883

    1. WTF   11 years ago

      That would never have happened if only France had strict gun control.

    2. WTF   11 years ago

      Its latest tweet was a cartoon of the Islamic State militant group leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

      I'm sure this is just a random case of workplace violence.

      1. Charles Easterly   11 years ago

        Some of these ISIS/ISIL/IS followers seem predictable to me, and it's a bit of a wonder why a government opposed to their organization hasn't set a trap/ambush using imagery similar to that in the linked article as the bait.

        Then we could read a headline something like "Two ISIS Supporters attack media headquarters - one slain and one captured."

        1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

          Because the French are in denial about their extremist problem.

          1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

            *like most other government in areas where there would be ready schmucks who'd fall into that trap.

          2. Gene   11 years ago

            This, hopefully this will be a wake up call.

            1. Restoras   11 years ago

              Maybe for the French people but definitely not for the government, unless by wake-up call you mean more legislative action to exacerbate the problem.

              1. Gene   11 years ago

                I was refering to the retarded multicultural ethos of the place.

                1. Florida Man   11 years ago

                  I though France was anti-Muslim. Don't they have bans on head scarfs.

                2. Restoras   11 years ago

                  I think, though I could be wrong, that retarded multicultural ethos is confined to the governing elites and the urban population. Much like it is here.

                  1. Gene   11 years ago

                    retarded multicultural ethos is confined to the governing elites and the urban population

                    Perhaps this is why it aggravates and confuses a simple rural rube such as myself.

                    1. Florida Man   11 years ago

                      I think multiculturalism is great as long as it is voluntary. The problem is when the government decides these widgets need to get mixed together and start busing people or making laws that force people to associate.

                    2. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                      It's hard to square multiculturalism with head scarf and hijab bans .

                    3. Florida Man   11 years ago

                      It's hard to square multiculturalism with head scarf and hijab bans .
                      Are you talking to me or gene?

                    4. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                      No one in particular, just pointing out the tension between some of the comments in this part of the discussion.

                    5. Charles Easterly   11 years ago

                      Would you agree that government policies are often discordant?

          3. double ham fisted   11 years ago

            Listening to an NPR story about the weekly protests in Germany about the Islamafacation(?) of their country and the German interviewee could (would) not guess what the protester's issues were. All you have to do is look next door to figure out what people are worried about.

            1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

              This was my exact thought having heard that NPR segment and the reading the headline today.

            2. Redmanfms   11 years ago

              That's pretty common in European reporting, they don't just ignore the facts they find uncomfortable to talk about, they outright refuse to admit those facts even exist.

              Witness the "youth" riots in Paris a few years ago, or the Rotterham Rapes or the European coverage of various international events like the Sydney Gang Rapes, or the Cronulla riots, or Tea Party protests.

              American journalism is awful, but it is truly amazing just how much better even our worst tabloid "gotcha" journalism is compared to any European news media. The only outlet that comes close is NPR.

    3. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

      This. This is not good.

      Man, oh man.

      1. Restoras   11 years ago

        They will do nothing.

        1. Heroic Mulatto   11 years ago

          They will do nothing.

          Except blame the Jews. They'll certainly do that.

    4. Mike M.   11 years ago

      How's that "Arab Spring" coming along these days?

      1. Palin's Buttplug   11 years ago

        Like shit. At least Obama didn't spend trillions promoting some concept they don't want.

        Droning a few of those goatfuckers is a mild reaction in comparison. Ignoring them would be better.

        1. Florida Man   11 years ago

          Droning a few of those goatfuckers is a mild reaction in comparison. Ignoring them would be better.

          We should also ignore North Korea , South Korea , Japan, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, South America, etc infinity. But that ain't gonna happen.

          1. Palin's Buttplug   11 years ago

            We are not going to drone or Iraq War that backward mindset away. My argument is purely from a wasted resource prespective.

            1. Florida Man   11 years ago

              Right. Which is why I agreed with you ignore them comment.

            2. Rich   11 years ago

              We are not going to drone or Iraq War that backward mindset away.

              "But, but, BEHEADINGS! Aren't we obligated to at least TRY?!"

        2. Mike M.   11 years ago

          Hey Weigel, this attack happened in France over some cartoons, you fucking moron. It has nothing to do with either Bush or Obama.

          1. Palin's Buttplug   11 years ago

            Fuck you Hannity.

            1. WTF   11 years ago

              BUSHPIGS!!11!!!CHRISTFAGS!!11!!!

  6. mr lizard   11 years ago

    OT: Rand The Troller

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/a.....paign.html

    1. Rich   11 years ago

      Unpossible. Everybody knows only the Dems have such tech savvy.

  7. Redmanfms   11 years ago

    "Body image issues."

    Ugh, if you are "triggered" by somebody being more attractive than you do yourself and the world a favor and suck start a pistol.

    1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

      Keep it classy, Red!

      1. Redmanfms   11 years ago

        Oh no, did I trigger you Bo-Bo?

        Don't go blowing your brains out, we'll all miss your completely inane and pointless Tulpatard arguments and your concern trolling.

        1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

          I prefer the more quaint 'you're a jerk' over any drivel about triggering.

          1. Redmanfms   11 years ago

            Ah Bo-Bo, you're as predictable as Tony.

            1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

              And you're predictably a jerk.

              1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

                How quaint.

              2. Redmanfms   11 years ago

                Keep chasing that last word high Bo-Bo!!!!

                1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

                  Your projection is about as great as your sociopathology.

                  1. Redmanfms   11 years ago

                    Except Bo-Bo, I almost never pursue last word "ahas!" It's one of your widely recognized ticks. You can't help yourself. You're like Sevo and Buttplug posts, you just can't not have the last word.

                    Me, I don't really give a shit, I just find the fact that you can't not have the last word hilarious.

  8. PlainOldTruth   11 years ago

    Feminism's ambitious competitive goal in 2015: To "land" a giant rocket-propelled dildo "on" a black hole located ten thousand light years away. Designs for the blouses of the technicians are now in the final completion stages. Phase One of the project, named Cosmic Equality, will involve a touring runway show exhibiting this blouse design.

    1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

      Aren't they being pilloried for the 'microaggression' of using the term 'black hole'?

    2. Palin's Buttplug   11 years ago

      Lube it up or risk rape charges.

  9. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

    Between the (usual) bull shit in Britain and France, by balls hurt from the bruising.

    1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

      Really? I wear the armor of cynicism and misanthropy, I'm fine.

      1. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

        The misanthropy part I have but it's not full proof.

        Too easy to be a cynic...for now.

  10. Copernicus   11 years ago

    Speaking of British pussies. Here's a story to warm you up on a cold Winter's day. It is the bicentennial of the Battle of New Orleans.

    " The British suffered a lopsided defeat. General Andrew Jackson's 4,000 Americans, mostly militia, decisively stopped 7,000 hardened British regulars in their attempt to advance on New Orleans. Marching upon American entrenchments across muddy fields, the British suffered more than 2,500 casualties, including about 700 killed, against only 71 American casualties (13 dead). "

    1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

      Can we invite them back to re-enact the burning of Washington DC?

    2. Copernicus   11 years ago

      Very roughly, We're looking at a 40:1 ratio. Ouch.

      And here is a song that I can still nearly recite since the last time I heard it as a young boy. One of my father's favorites (The Battle of New Orleans):

      In 1814 we took a little trip
      Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip.
      We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
      And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans.

      1. Copernicus   11 years ago

        (cont)

        [Chorus:]
        We fired our guns and the British kept a'comin.
        There wasn't nigh as many as there was a while ago.
        We fired once more and they began to runnin' on
        Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.

        We looked down the river and we see'd the British come.
        And there must have been a hundred of'em beatin' on the drum.
        They stepped so high and they made the bugles ring.
        We stood by our cotton bales and didn't say a thing.

        [Chorus]

        Old Hickory said we could take 'em by surprise
        If we didn't fire our muskets 'til we looked 'em in the eye
        We held our fire 'til we see'd their faces well.
        Then we opened up with squirrel guns and really gave 'em ... well

        [Chorus]

        Yeah, they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles
        And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go.
        They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em
        Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.**

        We fired our cannon 'til the barrel melted down.
        So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round.
        We filled his head with cannon balls, and powdered his behind
        And when we touched the powder off, the gator lost his mind.

        [Chorus]

        Yeah, they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles
        And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go.
        They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em
        Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.**

        1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

          You couldn't even link to the Lego Battle of New Orleans?

          1. Auric Demonocles   11 years ago

            That was awesome, except for the elephant... and dragon?

            1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

              The implied joke was that they had run so far they ended up veeeery far away. I note you didn't comment on the skeletal astronauts they passed...

          2. Rufus J. Firefly   11 years ago

            Awesome.

            The comments?

            Not so awesome.

            1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

              I don't read youtube comments. (They don't naturally load anyway, and are infamously bad)

        2. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

          You might be ready for the acclaimed Andrew Jackson musical.
          http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki.....ew_Jackson

        3. Bobarian (Mr. Xtreme)   11 years ago

          A great battle, fought a number of months after the war was actually over.

          The british had sued for peace, because they were too busy fighting the french.

    3. invisible furry hand   11 years ago

      Isn't it January 8th (which is also the birthday of Elvis and Bowie)

    4. Restoras   11 years ago

      So advancing across open, muddy terrain against a fortified position proved disastrous? Who knew?

      1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

        It seems the British didn't learn the lessons of Agincourt. Wait...

        1. Charles Easterly   11 years ago

          Ouch.

          ("Ouch" because I do know what you did there)

    5. Rebel Scum   11 years ago

      the British suffered more than 2,500 casualties, including about 700 killed, against only 71 American casualties (13 dead)

      #WINNING

  11. Rebel Scum   11 years ago

    the photo could fuel anorexia or cause women to have body image problems.

    Pics of food fuel obesity, pics of sports cars fuel speeding, and pics of guns fuel murder.

    1. Jordan   11 years ago

      These types actually believe that. Why else would they ban kids from school for drawing guns?

    2. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

      That's a pretty old idea (ex. Porn encourages promiscuous behavior).

  12. Rich   11 years ago

    the photo could fuel anorexia or cause women to have body image problems.

    Or it *could* result in anorexic women seeking treatment for their body image problems.

    Why do you hate women, BASA? WHY?!

    1. Florida Man   11 years ago

      I love women as individuals, but you get a group together ...... I'll be out by the grill.

      1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

        You should really give loving a group of women a try.

        1. Florida Man   11 years ago

          Only if I want to get shot in the bath tub. *hold wedding band up for Bo to see*

          1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

            Ah, yes self preservation is the more primary instinct!

  13. C. S. P. Schofield   11 years ago

    Signs that you and your department have entirely too much time on your hands; That you are examining photographs of fashion models, looking for ways that they deviate from normal people.

    1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

      The bigger issue, why is there a department looking over ads at all?

      1. Rich   11 years ago

        Indeed. It should be an entire *agency*.

        1. Bo Cara Esq.   11 years ago

          Don't think small, let's go Cabinet level!

          1. UnCivilServant   11 years ago

            Good idea, lets call it the Ministry of Truth.

    2. sarcasmic   11 years ago

      Taking initiative is frowned upon in government work. I'm sure this was in response to a complaint.

      1. Charles Easterly   11 years ago

        It was, according to the article I read here on Reason yesterday:

        "The agency was responding to a complainant 'who believed that the model in the picture was unhealthily thin' and the ad 'irresponsible and harmful.'"

        Note "a complainant" - as in one individual complained.

  14. Enjoy Every Sandwich   11 years ago

    This is what we desperately need Big Government for: catering to people who are so silly that they literally starve themselves to death because they don't look like an anonymous torso in an underwear ad.

  15. Taberlario   11 years ago

    I got Lancia after having made $8688 this month and more than ten-k last-month . this is really the easiest work I've ever had . I started this 3 months ago and right away earned more than $84 per/hour .
    Go to this website ?????? http://www.jobsfish.com

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