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Topic: I Am Julie
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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560
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posted 22 February 2005 07:54 PM
I mentioned in another thread that these ads that have been on Toronto subways for a week or so now. So I did a google search on a few phrases from the ad, and came up with this livejournal entry which is awesome, and this parody of the ad from the Canadian Women's Health Network.I actually don't think it's a good thing to be obese, but these ads were offensive to me. Offensive because they suggest that you should be ashamed of stripping for your husband if you're fat. Offensive because they focus on the importance of fashion rather than the importance of health and strength. And really, REALLY offensive because they are playing on women's insecurities about their looks in order to sell a fucking diet drug "quick fix". I mean, if feminists want to open a dialogue about women's health, and focus on gaining strength through healthy eating instead of, oh, I don't know, making women feel neurotic and trying to get them to take fad drugs in order to be able to be skinny enough to please their men with lingerie, I wouldn't have a problem with it. And it has particularly upset me considering that women have DIED trying to get skinny using pharmaceutical fad drugs and fad surgeries (stomach stapling and liposuction anyone?) and it's because of this very attitude that these asses are promoting - I have to get thin at all costs, the faster the better, and health doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that I can wear anything my teenager does, and that my husband likes my lingerie. Argh argh argh!
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001
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lagatta
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2534
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posted 23 February 2005 03:15 PM
Those ads are repulsive and remind me of another series for an acne drug + contraceptive pill with a woman's name a few years back - at first I thought it was about battered wives but it was about blotchy skin in the end... And thanks to Michelle for her googling prowess. But I wonder if the Canadian Women's Health Network, with its squarely "realistic" look at a typical woman's life, isn't overlooking our emotional needs? People, whether women or men, straight or gay, do feel the need to be attractive to our partner (of course the ad also assumes that Julie's spouse is a man, but that is no surprise...) The ad is playing on insecurities but I think those deep insecurities about no longer being attractive as we get on in years are very real and pre-date such ad campaigns. I think the reaction to them must be more affirmative of life, passion, and yes, being "sexy".
From: Se non ora, quando? | Registered: Apr 2002
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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560
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posted 24 February 2005 02:38 PM
Yeah, at first I couldn't figure out whether they were advertising a diet medication, a gym, or what. In fact, at first, because there was no name attached to the ad, I was wondering whether it was a new "controversial approach" public health notice, kind of like the stop smoking ones where they focus on "coolness" rather than health. But then I thought, no, that can't be it because usually they have the name of the funders on public health ads. And the first couple of times I saw it, I didn't notice the small print where it said, "Medical options available".I saw another one on the way home last night.
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001
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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560
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posted 24 February 2005 05:19 PM
Oh, I've been wondering that too!The web site is http://www.curethecatch.ca but I have no idea what it's about because a few hours ago I tried to check it out, but it wouldn't open. I just got the "english/french" choice, and then the next page wouldn't load. Oh, what crap. I just checked it out now, and it asked all those questions. I didn't answer ANY of the questions, and then at the end it said I have a mild case of "the catch" and that I should enter my e-mail address once they release the cure or something like that. Um yeah, I'll get right on that! [ 24 February 2005: Message edited by: Michelle ]
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001
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Mr. Magoo
guilty-pleasure
Babbler # 3469
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posted 26 February 2005 04:43 PM
The Julie ads are for Xenical? Seriously? I remember the first time I heard a "regular" Xenical ad on television: "Side effects may include flatulence, oily discharge, more frequent bowel movements, and an inability to control them..."Or: "I'm Julie, and tonight I did something I haven't done since I was seven..."
From: ø¤°`°¤ø,¸_¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸_¸,ø¤°°¤ø,¸_¸,ø¤°°¤ø, | Registered: Dec 2002
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audra trower williams
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2
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posted 07 March 2005 01:55 AM
I just got this email today: quote: According to the Globe and Mail (02/24/05) the "Julie's Story" ad campaign is being funded by Hoffman-LaRoche to promote sales of their pharmaceutical, Xenical (also known as Orlistat). Xenical is no magic pill that simply melts the pounds away for those of us wanting to lose a few, as the ads may suggest, but a prescription medication approved only for the treatment of obesity.What Xenical does to your body Xenical works by preventing the absorption of dietary fats from the foods you eat, with undigested fat removed through bowel movements. In the process, the absorption of some important fat-soluble vitamins and beta-carotene in the diet are blocked. So those taking Xenical must also take vitamin supplements to get the essential nutrients they are no longer able to absorb from the foods that they eat. The most common side-effects of Xenical are the following: Oily or fatty bowel movements (stools) Increased number of bowel movements Urgent need and/or inability to control bowel movement Bowel movements that are orange or brown in colour Gas with discharge Oily discharge Stomach pain Irregular menstrual periods. Xenical is also not recommended for those who are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, breastfeeding, or who suffer from chronic malabsorption syndrome or cholestasis.
From: And I'm a look you in the eye for every bar of the chorus | Registered: Apr 2001
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Reality. Bites.
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6718
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posted 07 March 2005 08:47 AM
quote: Originally posted by Mandos: This sounds suspiciously like Olestra except that was an actual food additive.
Well same idea. One replaces fat with something indigestible, the other makes fat indigestible. My old dog once got the top off a jar of vaseline, which is likewise indigestible. The results on the floor were not pleasant.
From: Gone for good | Registered: Aug 2004
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thiswoman
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 8209
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posted 09 March 2005 02:54 AM
One of the biggest problems about ads like the one you are describing (I haven't seen it anywhere yet in BC), is that women in general, regardless their age, are either slavishly over-exercising (exercise is very good and makes one feel extraordinarily vibrant, but too much of a good thing...), eating far too little for their energy needs, or obsessed with their ability to attract/keep a partner and literally killing themselves to be what they may never be (we are not all tall and lithe). When women are kept so occupied with these physical endeavors, men who wish to maintain their hegemony over women are very pleased not to have to 'compete' with them in the real world. It is time for women to realize that there is more in life than maintaining the cultural icon of the "beautiful woman." This is a game played by the media and is ultimately a lose/lose scenario because the rules always change. The best weight loss program in the world, should you wish to lose weight, is to see yourself as a valid person with a good head on your shoulder. When you look at this person in the mirror, the reflection that looks back is one that projects a self-empowerment and is not dependant on the opinion of others. You see the person, not the body.
From: Nanaimo, BC | Registered: Feb 2005
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Mary Anna
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 8476
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posted 12 March 2005 11:30 PM
Hi, I am Mary Anna, and I'm new here as of yesterday.What bothers me about the I am Julie ad, in addition to all that you've been writing here, is that men are only attracted to slim women. A lot of men are attracted to obese women, and I can see why. Obese women are very soft and cuddly, like giant teddy bears,if you will. My best friend is obsese. In fact, my two best friends are. I am thin. My Significant Other has a little round belly. And it does not shake like Santa -- it's just "there," and I love it. I have no problems with men with bellies, little or big, but I am not attracted to men who are hugely obese. A little extra weight is nice, on men, to me. Thin, athletic men are fine, too. But I love my partner, and only have eyes for him, for the record. He's probably 4" shorter than I am. And the issue is never raised as an "issue." Maybe it's b/c he's Latino? Anyway, I also understand that a lot of shorter men love big, tall women. Not something "the media" wants people to know, or do!
From: Portland, Oregon | Registered: Mar 2005
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yankcanuck
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5582
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posted 13 March 2005 12:07 AM
This is what the LJ, Compasspoints, referred to above said re the company behind this - "The sponsor of this ad is Hoffman-Laroche who make a weight-loss drug called Xenical. Check the specs on this drug. The side effects aren't very sexy." Re: Julie ads compasspoints 2005-02-25 17:57 (link) http://www.xenical.com/hcp/3_productinfo.asp#5 Re "counter-postering" "I am Julie" - Do a search for "make stickers with your printer" at http://www.google.ca/ to get started in simple, easy and inexpensive methods to make stickers with a printer and labels. [ 13 March 2005: Message edited by: yankcanuck ]
From: What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness? | Registered: Apr 2004
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Timebandit
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1448
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posted 13 March 2005 07:08 PM
quote: Originally posted by thiswoman: One of the biggest problems about ads like the one you are describing (I haven't seen it anywhere yet in BC), is that women in general, regardless their age, are either slavishly over-exercising (exercise is very good and makes one feel extraordinarily vibrant, but too much of a good thing...), eating far too little for their energy needs, or obsessed with their ability to attract/keep a partner and literally killing themselves to be what they may never be (we are not all tall and lithe). When women are kept so occupied with these physical endeavors, men who wish to maintain their hegemony over women are very pleased not to have to 'compete' with them in the real world. It is time for women to realize that there is more in life than maintaining the cultural icon of the "beautiful woman." This is a game played by the media and is ultimately a lose/lose scenario because the rules always change. The best weight loss program in the world, should you wish to lose weight, is to see yourself as a valid person with a good head on your shoulder. When you look at this person in the mirror, the reflection that looks back is one that projects a self-empowerment and is not dependant on the opinion of others. You see the person, not the body.
Women in general are slavishly overexercising? Are you kidding? Sorry, but with rates of obesity -- and I don't mean just a little more body fat than the cover models, I mean clinically obsese -- rising in North American and Britain rising to epidemic proportions, overexercise does NOT seem to be the problem. I'd say overexercisers of either sex are few and far between in North America. Men who "wish to maintain the hegemony"? Yeah, like there's this great conspiracy of men who are actively maintaining the hegemony. They meet in the dead of night to plot how to drive us to further nefarious heights of self-depletion. They're all in it, too -- ALL OF THEM!!!!! I don't disagree that the best path to a healthy lifestyle is to start on the basis of self-worth, but until you start learning and practicing good nutrition and taking regular exercise, no amount of self-love is going to change your shape. I also think that most women are plenty smart enough to realize that there is more to life than measuring up to the icon of "beautiful woman", and that most of them do realize it. I find the suggestion that women in general don't get that to be condescending in the extreme -- as much or more so than any male bent on maintaining the hegemony. [ 13 March 2005: Message edited by: Zoot ]
From: Urban prairie. | Registered: Sep 2001
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Doug
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 44
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posted 20 March 2005 08:09 AM
quote: Originally posted by Bacchus: Ick quarter page ad for it in the Life section of the Star this weekend
The Star wants to know if you would run the "I Am Julie" ads again. So, you know what to do. The worst part of it is that this drug is NOT for people who just want to lose a few pounds to fit into a new evening dress. It's only supposed to be prescribed to people with serious health-threatening obesity. Basically, these ads are asking people to ask their doctor to commit malpractice. [ 20 March 2005: Message edited by: Doug ]
From: Toronto, Canada | Registered: Apr 2001
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Digiteyes
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 8323
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posted 20 March 2005 05:08 PM
quote: Originally posted by Doug:
The Star wants to know if you would run the "I Am Julie" ads again. So, you know what to do. The worst part of it is that this drug is NOT for people who just want to lose a few pounds to fit into a new evening dress. It's only supposed to be prescribed to people with serious health-threatening obesity. Basically, these ads are asking people to ask their doctor to commit malpractice. [ 20 March 2005: Message edited by: Doug ]
C'mon, folks! In addition to clicking Yes/No on a poll, you can leave a message -- I think the messages will carry far more weight than the poll numbers.
From: Toronto | Registered: Feb 2005
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fern hill
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3582
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posted 20 March 2005 05:45 PM
I just voted. "No" is running ahead of "yes" 77% to 22%.Read the accompanying Star story. The publisher says that Canadian drug advertising rules treat readers like children. More of this "choice" crap!! Anybody read Doug Saunders in the Grope yesterday? Bloody good article. [ 20 March 2005: Message edited by: fern hill ]
From: away | Registered: Jan 2003
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catje
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 7841
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posted 20 March 2005 07:48 PM
quote: Originally posted by Amy:
Yeah, actually, I find that particular response rather poorly thought out as well.
It's a line from an ani difranco song
the marriage business is still run by men like every business and everything but she can sing like a sonofabitch make him twitch around his eyes girl, make him apologize . . .
From: lotusland | Registered: Jan 2005
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Timebandit
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1448
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posted 30 March 2005 09:27 PM
"Vaseline on the lens" refers to a soft-focus technique used in film/tv and photography to give a sort of gauzy, dreamy look, often used on women who are being presented as attractive, desirable and glamourous. Do you remember the original Star Trek series? Nurse Chapple and other good-looking women were often shot that way in close-ups. I'm thinking of Star Trek mainly because they were so obvious with the use, better directors try to be more subtle with it.Anyway, vaseline was used on lenses in the early days, but later on filters were developed to produce the same effect, so "vaseline on the lens" is really just a figure of speech. When I saw the ad in the G&M, I noticed that they used a soft-focus, depth of field sort of shot, and it also looked airbrushed to me -- not even a goosebump! Very strange.
From: Urban prairie. | Registered: Sep 2001
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Granola Girl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 8078
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posted 31 March 2005 12:41 AM
Omigish! Anchoress, I saw your sticker today on the #135 and nearly peed myself laughing!"Today I wore an adult diaper to the beach for the first time....tee hee hee." Good job, sistah! *gives the room high fives all round, but only ironically, because she knows deep down its corny* But seriously, how did you make sure the bus driver didn't see you? [ 31 March 2005: Message edited by: Granola Girl ]
From: East Van | Registered: Jan 2005
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