Victoria's Secret 'body' unhealthy: #tellusatoday

Petitioners are demanding an apology for a Victoria's Secret "Perfect 'Body'" ad, saying it promotes an unhealthy standard. Letters to the editor:

I applaud Sharyn Flanagan for her Voices column "New Victoria's Secret ad not so perfect." Women are not "cookies" cut from a mold. We should be allowed by society to be different: have different bodies, talents and personalities. In my book, we are all equal and valuable.

Cheryl Cox; Bradenton, Fla.

Thank you for highlighting the voice of Sharyn Flanagan. When teaching 10- and 11-year-old girls, I stress that their individuality and uniqueness are beautiful. I wonder when the voice of women will be heard by advertisers and the music industry? When will these entities stop trying to squeeze women into the same box?

Carla Wilber; Troy, Ohio

Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

What is the definition of a perfect body, and whose health standards are being used? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Enough!

— @CindyHernac10

The image pushes unhealthy psychological issues such as inadequacy and competition. Please stop.

— @utopianclass

A Victoria's Secret product won't make anyone's body "perfect." Marketing labels such as "fantasy" and "angel" are even less plausible.

— @Godzilla_Govt

For more of the conversation, follow @USATOpinionor #tellusatodayon Twitter.