Sarah’s Problem: The Real Point of the Newsweek Cover
What is it with people? Why is the media focused on a cover photograph that Sarah Palin posed for? She posed for the cover for another magazine and Newsweek got the rights to reproduce it on its cover. Obviously, Newsweek has a bias against Palin but to say the outfit is sexist is a bit of a stretch.
If we must focus on the picture, I have a question… why is the American flag draped over the chair? Is she running for something? Hence the photo for “Runner’s World.” Inquiring minds…
Leaving the picture on its own merits for the duration of this post. I have another question: Does anyone not get the real point of the Newsweek cover - the words: “How Do You Solve A Problem Like Sarah?” For those of you who don’t get the slight, in context, let me share it with you. There is musical called “The Sound of Music.” Maria, played by Julie Andrews, is in a convent but not fitting in. She is a free spirit who is nice, lovely, but does not have the aptitude to learn or to be taken seriously.
The lyrics from the song “How do you solve a problem like Maria?”:
Many a thing you know you’d like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
But how do you make her stay
And listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
When I’m with her I’m confused
Out of focus and bemused
And I never know exactly where I am
Unpredictable as weather
She’s as flighty as a feather
She’s a darling! She’s a demon! She’s a lamb!
If I was Sarah Palin, or her supporters, I would be way more upset at the words of the cover than a picture that I posed for.
20 Responses to “Sarah’s Problem: The Real Point of the Newsweek Cover”
I'll drink to that, Tony.
A comment I made on a similar post:
Newsweek, November 23
By the way, while I do not like her political views, I find her outdoorsy, athletic lifestyle very wholesome, and I believe that her attractive, sporty image in running shorts—and shoes—on the cover of Newsweek (that “Lberal rag”) will certainly motivate young Americans to get with it and do some running. Shame about the American flag, though…
Sounds like an inside joke between people that would rarely vote Republican.
More importantly…The cover picture is the first impression people see…then they might…maybe…read the headline. If one were to have a problem with the cover, the picture would be the first problem.
Even Newspeak (peer of Time Lite and US Wooze and Knurled Report) exploits Palin's attractiveness while attacking her and adding to her notoriety and her marketing appeal, and her book sales as well as political prospects. Way to use her figure and attack her to boost her numbers, kids.
I would see things the opposite of Tony Campbell. I think the words “How do you solve a problem like Sarah” are appropriate. Sarah Palin is a problem for the GOP for multiple reasons, mainly she seems like a strong candidate for the base but probably unelectable in a national election. Besides that, she is causing problems by her comments in her book, naming some names, criticizing the McCain campaign, etc. My personal opinion of Palin is that she is unqualified for any major office.
The picture on the other hand seems sexist to me, and probably reflects Newsweek's low opinion of Palin. It's a appropriate picture for Runner's World, but not appropriate for a news weekly. It has little to do with the accompanying story. It seems gratuitous and although my overall opinion of Palin is also low, that is not justification to depict her on the cover that way.
Plus, Tony is playing a little loose with “got the rights”. As I read the Runner's World editor's reaction, the photo used was not obtained from RW but from the stock agency that held it.
I actually had the chance to agree with Palin here, which is rare. Using this pic of Palin is playing to the idea that she's a national political figure, not because many Americans agree with her, but only because she's a hottie. It's trying to use her attractiveness against her — because you know women can't be both sexy and taken seriously. That's the sexism of the cover.
Oh it's not Palin in shorts, good grief no. It's flag protocol. You are supposed to burn it when it's soiled.
Hottie?
Cough cough cough……
You are a sheep, what would you know?
I'm a sheep? Of what? Who is leading me? You just dislike me because I'm one of the people here who call you out for your hatred of gay men and women.
And, yes, she's pretty attractive in that outfit despite the fact that I think she does great damage to our political culture with her positions.
I think that he was referring to your icon.
Paca I thought FT was referring to your avatar.
Here's a link for you so you can do better jokes next time around……….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpaca
Okay, everything else aside, what is with the sudden offense people seem to have taken with women in shorts?
One of those rare occasions where I'm in total agreement with DLS. This is sexist bull — although not as bad as the shot inside the magazine of the SP “action figure” of her as a naughty schoolgirl, which evidently is supposed to be taken seriously?
I dislike her strongly, and I feel that her political views are not only harmful to people in general but to women in particular. However, mysogyny is generally not reserved for women who are craptastic politicians — it affects all of us.
I also think that the original poster missed the entire point of The Sound of Music, as well as of the particular song sited. Or maybe just only watched up until the end of the first scene? (Hint: aggressive and outspoken women who go against the grain don't need to be “solved”.)
Ooops. Apologies to FatherTime on this. Did not get the avatar thing. Completely my bad here. Apologies again.
Thanks for clueing me in, others.
Sarah, schmarah. She can go homestead in the Alaskan wilderness for all I care. But the cheese cake picture is a good fit for a cheesy tabloid, like Newsweek has become.
Sad.
.
Tony: She posed for the cover for another magazine and Newsweek got the rights to reproduce it on its cover.
For the record: http://www.runnersworld.com/photo/sarahpalin/
EDITOR’S NOTE:</b]
On the cover of this week’s issue of Newsweek is a photo that was shot exclusively for the August 2009 issue of Runner’s World, in which Sarah Palin was featured on the monthly “I’m a Runner” back page. The photos from that shoot are still under a one-year embargo, and Runner’s World did not provide Newsweek with its cover image. It was provided to Newsweek by the photographer’s stock agency, without Runner’s World’s knowledge or permission.
I don't know if I get it… Palin has been exploiting her physical appearance for political gain since being nominated for VP, and only NOW are some of her supporters getting riled up over it?
You are forgiven young sheep. Perfectly understandable.
Though I must say, that your education regarding attractive female humans has been sadly neglected.
“a cheesy tabloid, like Newsweek has become”
How true. All those “news” magazines have dumbed-down tabloid material, as befits their lefty clientele.