[Vision2020] Copyright-was "The new The Saga Continues"

[Kenneth Marcy]

On Thursday 19 November 2009 10:06:06 Ted Moffett wrote:
> Palin made a comment recently that she would not pose for a
> Newsweek cover photo in shorts.

Sarah Palin's current job is to promote her book, and making such a 
comment, sure to engender conversation, is part of the process of 
keeping her name, and her book, in front of the public's awareness.

> This could be interpreted not as a issue of sexism, but simply that 
> Newsweek was promoting a image of Palin that does not project the  
> respect that more formal clothing inspires.

That's rather further down Newsweek's list of reasons, I suspect. 
Closer to the top of the list is selling their magazine. Most people 
know that photos of attractive women on magazine covers raise sales 
more than most other types of photographs. That Palin has sex appeal 
is clear; that alone is reason enough for some magazines. Newsweek, 
in particular, likely did find it "the most interesting image."

> Would Newsweek run a photo on the cover of Secretary of 
> State Clinton in shorts?

No. Hilary Clinton is engaged in diplomacy, not book sales or public 
image maintenance.

> The Palin cover photo is thus suggesting an image of Palin that some 
> might think is not taking her seriously...

Not taking her, or the image, seriously would be a mistake. Look at 
the photo. One sees a healthy, attractive woman posed with one elbow 
jabbed out over, and holding down, an American flag disrespectfully 
draped over the back of a long-legged bar stool. Her other elbow is 
jabbed out leading to a hand on hip that suggests "Look at me; I'm 
looking at you." And what is her other hand holding? An athletic 
runner's stopwatch? No, it's holding a political runner's cell phone.

This photograph was staged and posed with both athletic and political 
running in mind. Anyone who thinks it is merely disrespectful in some 
sexist way is underestimating Sarah Palin's power for self-promotion.


Ken