Dear Sarah,

I know you might be tired of me cause I'm tired of writing about you too. But I couldn't let the bush league job that Newsweek pulled on you this week go without commenting.

First, I think that picture did a disservice to you and women in elected office. It was far too tarty in my opinion, but it was originally taken for Runner's World so the spandex was appropriate. While some will say that you asked for the humiliation that Newsweek served up, I am not in agreement. The photo shot was for Runners World and fits in that context. The Newsweek cover is so way out of context it is inappropriate.

Thankfully the Women's Media Center sees it that way too. See, feminists do get it, Sarah! And Media Matters allows us to take a peek into the issue to see the other images Newsweek chose to use of you. *shudder*

I've said it before so many times and I'll say it again. We can disagree on your policy stances, bash your book and eye-roll your "If they had just listened to me" tour. But when we start to pick on your appearance, harp on the fact that you were a beauty queen or use photos in a sexist manner to embarrass, that is going to a place where I won't go.

Because if we let Newsweek do this to you, we are only proving your theory that the big bad media are out to get you. And honestly, sometimes they are. But this time, Katie Couric was spot on.

[Image: Newsweek]