skippy the bush kangaroo: sex sells

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

sex sells

even "so called" newsy rags like newsweek. on their november 23rd cover, they have a cheesecake photo of "the sarah." the photo taken in it's original context, for a piece in a running magazine, is not a problem, but when used on the cover of a journalistic based rag, it takes on a whole new context.

there are a lot of legitimate reasons to criticize sarah palin, her new book, and her policies, but you don't have to stoop to sexism to do it. newsweek's november 23 issue, however, does just that by publishing on its cover a photo of palin in short running shorts and a fitted top, leaning against the american flag. making matters worse is the equally offensive headline newsweek editors chose to run alongside the photo -- "how do you solve a problem like sarah?" -- presumably a reference to the sound of music song, "maria," in which nuns fret about "how" to "solve a problem like maria," a "girl" who "climbs trees" and whose "dress has a tear." - media matters

i agree with media matters. there are a bazillion reasons to criticize the sarah. she and the republicans tried to use sex to sell her candidacy. "coldest state hottest governor" was seen bandied about on signs and in talks. the winking...winking...winking... when was the last time you saw boe biden winking into the camera? the constant little girl flirtacious act, which seems to be de rigeur of all the bubble headed beach blondes on faux channel.

leave the selling via sex for the vogue, playboy, etc. we need to have a serious conversation on what is ailing our country. we don't need to give this shallow creature anymore airtime. we certainly don't need to go down the road of selling our candidates through beauty contests. the thought of newt gingrich in a bikini on the cover of time is nightmarish image.

Labels: governor, palin, sexism

posted by Cookie Jill at 7:18 AM |

2 Comments:

but if newt gingrich wants to put on the bikini and pose...

commented by

mahakal, 7:51 AM PST

If they were going for the vacuous Palin argument in a political context they could have used any number of photos of her winking. The one from the debate with Biden was particularly telling and is fair game. THAT would have been a far more effective and justified use of a photo--in context.

Taking this photo from a shoot that ANY poltician or celebrity would have done--in the same manner, and then using out of context is utterly off-base. Isn't the message from the Runners World piece that we all need to lead more active lifestyles and get fit? That seems like a sound message for anyone to send out.

commented by

The Grand Panjandrum, 8:19 AM PST

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