Is Newsweek sexist?

The big question of late is all about Sarah Palin. Her book, if she will run in 2012, if she can win. And then there are the controversies.

Newsweek really set things aflame with their cover of Mrs. Palin. And the claims of the cover photo being sexist and insulting have been raised. But are they right?

Well the best way to answer the question seemed obvious to me. Compare the cover photo (taken from an image used by a running magazine some time ago) to a similar photo of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Or Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Except that no such photos seems to exist. None.

I searched through 500 images of Hillary Clinton on Google looking for a single legitimate image of her with exposed legs. Couldn't find any. In fact I was hard pressed to find photos of Secretary Clinton in a dress. I know hardcore lesbians that show more cleavage and legs than Clinton has over the decades. (As for Speaker Pelosi, I'm sure there might be a photo somewhere that shows off her legs, but I'm too scared to see it)

So it would seem that compared to her the general media is sexist. They have directly sought to make her an image that is more of a tart than a political figure. And I have to wonder why any woman would allow that without complaint.

Basically isn't Newsweek saying that a mother and independant woman is worthless if she is cute and/or doesn't agree with the editor's views. They are saying that a woman who has achieved success in business and politics - she did run a major State after all - is about as important as a bikini model. Which I would think Secretary of State Clinton might find insulting. (And don't expect N.O.W. to stand up for a woman that exemplifies many of the ideals they are supposed to support)

Newsweek says the image is fair. Ok, then show me a similar photo that was on their cover of Nancy Pelosi, or Hillary Clinton. I couldn't find one. How about Michelle Obama? Why don't they have an image of Michelle Obama in a bikini on the cover while the story in the magazine is about say healthcare. Would anyone find that sexist?

I know, how dare I use examples of the First Lady and Secretary of State (and the Speaker of the House). They are Liberals and Democrats after all. It's a taboo to speak of them as anything but powerful women that are political leaders. Yet, Mrs Palin IS a political leader too. So what's the difference?

If it isn't sexism, then all that is left is a political bullying that says you better think the way we want you to think or else. Is that what we have come to expect from the media? That the ideas they like are the only ones we should have? That the only people we should vote for or listen to are the ones they approve of?

I recall another time when the media told people what to believe. They told people directly to buy only the versions of songs that Elvis sang and not the Black original versions. They said that African Americans didn't need to vote, or to sit in diners, or enter buildings through the front door. I recall when the media claimed that all Japanese in America were spies and traitors. I recall when the media was so afraid of politicians that McCarthy had everyone looking over their shoulder in case they were called a Communist and would be blackballed from their careers.

I thought we were past the days of yellow journalism. But it would seem, as Newsweek has proven, that we haven't moved forward at all.

More polls, more weitrd answers

The more I hear about this poll or that one asking a group of Americans multiple random and generally useless questions, the more I recall a college friend's statement

"You can prove anything with statistics. The sky is green, Hitler was a nice guy, and pig fly. It's just stupid."

Of course there are real uses for stats, just as there is polls. But sometimes you have to wonder why pollsters bother. Beyond keeping their jobs, who really cares about some of these questions.

Like the most recent 60 Minutes -Vanity Fair poll. Asking 1,097 people questions that will shake the foundations of you world, and answers you will ponder for as long as it takes to read the question.

George Clooney beat President Obama (26% to 24%) in "which man they would most like to trade places with for a week." The next men on the list? Tom Brady and Bruce Springsteen (Does anyone even remeber this guy? When was the last time you heard his name?).

Among women it was of course First Lady Michelle Obama as the favorite with 26%. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the 2nd place spot yet again at 16% (again I ask, what has she done? You really have to wonder if she is even in the Administration now). Nearly taking 2nd was Angelina Jolie and then Beyonce (that baby video seems to be working out well for her).

If that didn't make you wonder who is answering this poll how about this.

The biggest sin a politician can commit? Adultery? Nope, that only got 2% of votes. The winner was taking a bribe, picked by 37%.

I suppose lying is so commonplace as to no longer be considered something ONLY the bad politicians do. Still, not learning to read would've been my choice. Not that it is a sin either.

How about this burst of brilliance. 50% think it would be a great idea to tax the rich by 50%. First thing I want to ask those people is the same one President Obama has never answered clearly, What is rich? The second thing, how bad an economy do they really want to see?

At least there is one question I think they got right

"one-third of poll respondents predicted he won't be setting a time table for removing troops from Afghanistan. Meanwhile, 31 percent said he would time it to the beginning of the next presidential campaign, and 25 percent chose "in about a year."