Stop Receiving Victoria Secret Mail Ads

Are you tired of receiving mail from Victoria's Secret? This morning I registered on DMA choice to stop receiving these unwanted mailings. While I was at it, I sent them a letter requesting the same and an email.

File a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission

You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission which works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them.

To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261.

Watch a video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more.

The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Costa Vida Cleans up Billboards

I went into the Mexican Grill, Costa Vida, the other day with my husband and another couple...glad to be patronizing this Utah company who recently got a Best of State Award for one of their menu items. Good for them, but even better for them, and for us is their responsible advertising. I did not see their billboard along the Wasatch Front on I-15 before it was changed but after hearing from a friend that the model on a surfboard was once in a revealing bathing suit this model is now covered up with-what I believe is called a rash guard. You can faintly make out an added section over the woman's torso that now sports a red t-shirt (or rash guard) and she looks like an athletic, pretty girl who is out for some surfing rather than a posed model out to sell me something with a sexy image. Thank you Costa Vida. I'm going to tell my friend to try out that award winning entree.

Adverse Outdoor Advertising

Outdoor advertising: We’ve had women contact us about the signs along the freeway in promoting breast enhancement advertising. They are uncomfortable about the flippant, objectifying way companies like Gateway laser surgery vie for business. What message is being sent to women and girls about their value and worth? If you don’t think these signs reach people think again. Just weeks ago polls showed few people knew that Jim Bridger discovered the Great Salt Lake. After a billboard campaign 80,000 hits were recorded on the Jim Bridger website and polls showed around 50% of people now know Jim Bridger discovered the Great Salt Lake. So to answer my own question, complain.

Parental Controls Netflix Hard to Find

A mom's 15 year old son asked her if they could try Netflix for his Playstation3. Both she and her son thought they could use the parental controls of the Playstation 3 to manage what could be played but found out they could only control games and dvds that were actually inserted in the ps3.  The mother looked up the Netflix website but could not find any information on parental controls.  She called the company to asked if it was possible to set up parental controls. They assured her it was possible-but it wasn't immediately evident. She suggested that the option of parental control be mentioned on their homepage so parents would be aware as they looked into subscribing to their service.

Disney Disappointment

Scott Howard from Colorado told me that he and his wife wish Disney would go back to their child-friendly ways. He and his wife are alarmed at the messages their two young daughters get from identifying with teen stars that lack standards. It has led them to prohibit their kids watching the Disney channel. Miley Cyrus voted worst role model for young girls.

Heard By Her Community Council

In the summer of 2001, Arlaine Austin was alerted to the fact that a rap group known as 2 Live Crew was coming to perform at a nightclub in Provo, Utah. She felt compelled to do something. Arlaine wrote the following about her experience.

This group is known for their rude, fowl, and crude language. Women for Decency advised me to do something to address this situation.  As I researched a possible course of action I determined to call Utah County Attorney to ask for his opinion.  He said Provo City does have an obscenity ordinance.  He then proceeded to tell me that a community sets the standards of decency by what it allows to happen in that community.  He said it would be citizens like me that could help set that standard by speaking out.  He said there has been a degrading of civility over time that is lowering our community standards.  It is by speaking up as citizens that we can make a difference in what is acceptable and what is not.

I proceeded to rally a team of concerned citizens who would be willing to let their voice be heard.  I asked if they would be willing to take a petition to be signed which simply stated that they were asking  Provo City to uphold the obscenity ordinance when this rap band came to town.

Next I called Provo City and found out when their Council Meeting was and asked to be on the Agenda.  I was placed on the Agenda.

The night of the council meeting I decided to take some young women with me from my local church organization.  I felt this was an opportunity to help them understand the process to allow our intelligent and respectful voice to be heard in our community.  I shared with them the process and the purpose for taking a stand.  We talked about why this was important.  I shared what the Utah County Attorney had said to me.  We talked about the harmful effects of pornography.

At the appointed time on the Agenda I went forward.  I said I was speaking for the silent majority of members in our community who had similar concerns. I simply asked that Provo uphold the obscenity ordinance that was in existence.  I think I stated the Utah County Attorney had indicated there was a decline in civility because it is becoming more and more acceptable.  Unless someone speaks up it will continue to decline.  They thanked me and said they would look into the situation.

After the meeting we began to leave when someone from the Daily Herald, the local newspaper approached us and asked if I would mind being interviewed.   I said yes. I had these young women with me and so they came along.  She asked several questions and then she turned to the young women who had come with me and began asking questions.  I was pleasantly surprised with their answers.  One young woman was asked what she thought was wrong with having a band like this.   The newspaper stated from the manager of the nightclub that it wasn't that bad.   She said , "songs can be a form of pornography because you can picture in your mind what they're saying."  Another young woman said that as she collected the names for the petition there were many wanting to be more involved in raising the standards of our communities but not sure how.

I found out in the newspaper article which was on the front page of the newspaper the next morning that the city spokesman was not happy to have this band come. "They're a disgusting, gross, rude group, they don't reflect the values of our community." He also indicated that Provo police will be keeping tabs on the concert. After this came out in the newspaper I was contacted by Deseret News and each of the major television stations asking if I would be willing to do more interviews.  I had one group ask if I would come and speak with the club owner in an interview.  After pondering this I decided I did not want to advertise for the club nor did I want this to turn into a circus.  I stated that I had already made my statement and that the Provo paper had reported accurately what had occurred.  I did no more interviews.

I learned much from this experience.  It is important to do your homework on what the issue is.  I had no idea the news media would be so interested.  I could see how things could easily get distorted.  I learned it is important to remain calm, and respectful but that a sincere, thoughtful summary of the concern is heard and appreciated.

• Identify the concern and become well informed.
• Report to the County Attorney ask for course of action
• Find like minded people
• Educate and then move into action.

Success in Bountiful

When Kris Kimball found out that Planned Parenthood planned to participate in the Health and Wellness Fair in Bountiful she took action calling for like-minded citizens to protest. Read excepts from Day 1 and Day 3 of her successful campaign:

Day 1

The Health and Wellness Fair in Bountiful is coming this Friday and Saturday, April 15th and 16th. Planned Parenthood happens to have a booth and will be at this event. Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in America! They have been most recently exposed here in Utah for their Maturation Program that was intended to sexualize our 10 and 11 year old children. This critical issue was discussed this last Friday at the Utah State School Board Meeting. The Board unanimously decided that Planned Parenthood had crossed over the line and taught our children inappropriate sexual material in the 5th and 6th Grade Maturation Program . The actions taken from their investigation was the State School Board would remove the Planned Parenthood video "Growing Up First" along with all links directing children, parents and educators to the Planned Parenthood website.

Nationally they have been exposed for promoting teen prostitution and teen sex trafficking. Their National Director has publicly lied about the services that Planned Parenthood offers to women in hopes of keeping the tax dollars they receive from us. They fraudulently claimed that they provide mammogram services to women, which is untrue.

Bountiful is a family community with family values. We need to protect our children from organizations like Planned Parenthood that victimize and promote child sexuality. Our County Attorney Troy Rawlings made a comment in reference to being proactive with Gang Activity here in Davis County, "Not in Our House". It rings true to this situation. We as concerned parents need to speak up and let our voices be heard. We will not allow this type of immoral organization in our community. "Not In Our House"!

We need your help, there are calls to be made. Let them know you will not be attending the Health and Wellness fair if Planned Parenthood is going to be there. If you want to share with them why, the above 2 paragraphs can give you local and national reasons why they don't belong in our community and around our families. Feel free to visit the Planned Parenthood website for yourself, see if you have concerns with the information they want to teach our children.

Please make calls to everyone listed below, they all need to hear for you for your voice to be the most effective.

Lakeview Hospital is a Sponsor Mayor Joe Johnson
Marketing Director 801-298-6146
Tiffany Burnett
299-2447 (W)
390-9746 ( C )
Call both numbers

The Davis Clipper
Marketing Director: Tony
801-295-2251 X137

Send an email to Tom Busselberg, he is the acting editor to the paper.
news@davisclipper.com

Day 3

Thank you for your calls and emails! Our efforts to stop Planned Parenthood from participating in our Bountiful Health and Wellness Fair were successful. They will not be there. I spoke with Tony Smith from the Clipper, who lined up the vendors and explained why we did not want Planned Parenthood this weekend or in the future at any Community Event in Bountiful. It would be helpful if he heard from others to reaffirm that we do not want Planned Parenthood invited to be part of any of our community events. This is a wakeup call to everyone throughout Utah. Planned Parenthood is coming into our communities and we need to stand up and enforce our community standards of morality, decency, and safety.

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