I was writing about PETA's new campaign for Examiner.com and wanted to explain why showing an illustration of a large woman in a bikini with the words "Save the Whales, Lose the Blubber" might not be the best idea ever.
I've been kicking around this rant ever since Self magazine put singer Kelly Clarkson on its cover and felt the need to shave down her booty, all the while promoting "TOTAL BODY CONFIDENCE!!!" on the cover.
I thought of the TV ad from West Coast burger chain Carls Jr., which features reality "star" Audrina Patridge snarfing down a giant sloppy burger while wearing a gold lame bikini on the beach. You know damn well that all that girl ate that day was half a slice of pineapple that she seductively plucked from the grease bomb.
Then I discovered that in addition to shilling for Carls Jr., she was at the launch party for Reebok EasyTone fitness shoes -- you know, the ones that are supposed to help you burn extra calories.
And then I knew that I had found my poster child. Thank you, Audrina, for being useful for something -- for showing the disconnect between reality and fantasy.
TOTAL BODY CONFIDENCE means plastic surgery via photo editing? Hot chicks in bikinis can eat like frat boys? Said hot chicks use magical sneakers to burn off frat boy burgers? Vegetarian groups think overweight women are all whales?
Aaack. It's making my head hurt.
