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Home › Politics

Politics | 09/03/2008 5:00 pm

The Sarah Palin Bikini Photo Fraud: Photoshop, the Internet and the Politics of Personal Destruction

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
From Left to Right: Flickr.com/ Flickr.com

It’s the oldest trick in the book. Destroy the credibility and character of a high-profile woman by simply finding a salacious picture of or rumor about her and make sure as many people as possible see it or hear about it. Don’t have such a picture?

Just make one up.

It’s no surprise that Americans revved up their Internet search engines immediately after Sen. John McCain chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. In only a few days, the number of U.S. Internet searches for the name "Sarah Palin" has soared higher than any other politico in the last three years, according to the media company Smart Brief, Inc.

But the marketers of the politics of personal destruction — or perhaps just a bored Internet blogger — have used the popularity of the Sarah Palin search query to create a viral frenzy over an insidiously faked Photoshopped picture of Gov. Palin in a red, white and blue bikini holding a gun. Overnight, this image is appearing as an actual photo from her past and is being posted on thousands of blogs and message boards worldwide.

Want proof?

Google the term "Sarah Palin Bikini Photos," a rising Internet search.

While many in the blogosphere know that the photo is a compilation of Gov. Palin’s head on the body of an anonymous gun-toting bikini-clad lass, it is also being embedded into countless sites as a true representation of the candidate. Clearly, this is an image that has been carefully crafted to ignite the worst kinds of misogynistic, hyper-partisan commentary.

Click here to see the step-by-step photoshop process of creating the Sarah Palin Bikini Photo Fraud.

 

Read more about: News, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin Bikini Photo

46 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

RainbowPower
hmmmmm not particularly fond of her, but I think she is pretty but needs an updated “do”. Maybe I could find someone to put my head in that bikini shot —- the gun reminds me of the AK-47 Michelle was toting. Lookout Mooses she now hunts in a bikini.
By RainbowPower on 09/03/2008 4:59 pm
SarahPalin
OMG People… I found Sarah Palin Nude Video at http://sarahpalin-nude.blogspot.com Enjoy!!! She pretty sexy!!!
By SarahPalin on 09/26/2008 2:05 pm
ChipsAHoey
Oh good - in all honesty, when someone sent it to me, I was hoping it was Photoshopped - phew!
By ChipsAHoey on 09/03/2008 5:45 pm
JB1
Craig Ferguson had this photo on his show last night and he said it was photo shopped…just like the humorous photos of McCain that were shown on the Colbert Report as part of a contest to make McCain “more exciting”. There’s a challenge.
By JB1 on 09/03/2008 6:22 pm
WillowK
Interesting—have known for a while you can’t trust photos anymore. Look at how China faked some of the fireworks in the Olympic opening ceremony. I don’t think this photo really would turn her potential supporters off though. Who does it offend—her NRA supporters?, hockey mom conservatives?, anti bikini activists? I think this post has a little bit too much self-righteousness going on.
By WillowK on 09/03/2008 7:14 pm
SarahisWhiteTrash
“How to destroy a political woman’s credibility?” What credibility? It may be photoshopped….but it perfectly personifies what she is. She’s no Jacqueline Kennedy….by a long shot.
By SarahisWhiteTrash on 09/04/2008 4:00 am
DianaT
Yeah, I remember some of the very cruel stuff people sent me of Hillary Clinton and also of Al Gore. Goes both ways.
By DianaT on 09/03/2008 7:38 pm
TomL
Just curious were they cruel about the kids? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/04/piper-palin-photos-pictur_n_123… I wont say Huffs has typical liberals.I have friends with liberal views and know better.I am a indie/centalist(real one) myself.This shows the hate from the left.
By TomL on 09/06/2008 12:46 pm
DianaT
Sir, I am wondering if you happen to have a working definition of a “liberal”, or if you just happen to lump everyone who does not agree with you into one big heap? And, I am wondering if you even recognize a “centrist” , and what your definition of one is. In regards to this picture, in my opinion, it is a reflection of the typical mediocre, lower denomination bad taste that has taken over this country.
By DianaT on 09/06/2008 1:14 pm
TomL
Actually I do.A liberal is open minded and tolerant.This wasnt about the picture this was about Huff attacking the kids.That was what the link was for.”I wont say Huffs has typical liberals.I have friends with liberal views and know better.” Apparently you missed that.That is ok if you accept the posts at Huffs of the little girl as ok well I guess the post was wasted.To me it shows the worse side of politics and shouldnt be accepted by any reasonable person.
By TomL on 09/06/2008 1:55 pm
DianaT
Tom, Reasonable people do not accept this side of politics, but, unfortunately, there are very few people that rely on their own homework and research to make informed opinions. They rely on “pundits” and talk radio to make their minds up. I think the Huffington people are trying to do what the fourth estate is supposed to be doing, and the corporate radio talk people have forgotten, to be our eyes and ears. Thomas Jefferson knew that an informed public and a participating public is the way a democracy works. And, I personally believe that we have allowed dropped standards and dumbing down in virtually every part of our lives, cultural, political, civility. If I sound upset I am. Because I did not know where to drop the links, I did so on Whoopi’s section “John McCain….talking head,etc”. I should be on about the last page because I did it a few minutes ago. It is a good example of what I am talking about.
By DianaT on 09/06/2008 2:08 pm
TomL
I agree with you Diana.With the internet it should be easier to get to the truth.You have to seperate partisan from non partisan sites to get to facts at times.That can be difficult but it is possible.I miss the days when you could argue politics then go drink a few beers together.
By TomL on 09/06/2008 2:24 pm
DianaT
Very interesting point, Tom. I do not have any idea how old you are, but I distinctly remember when LBJ would often call members of congress from both sides of the aisle to come up to the resedential area of the White House or to his Oval Office at 5:00 and do just what you are describing. He knew that it was very important for them to network and put their feet up for a drink, and I suspect many a compromise was reached doing this. But, in 1994, when Newt Gingrich unleashed his Contract on America, that gradually came to an end, and so now, you actually have people up there that do not even speak to one another. That is not what our founding fathers had in mind. Good debate is fun and informing. And, the art is in the words not the name calling and high drama. Hope you are enjoying your time on wow.
By DianaT on 09/06/2008 2:54 pm
TomL
As far as age I remember when the Rockies were foothills.We need to get away from this them against us politics.I found that working together is the way to get things done.I definately agree with you on good debates.From different views solutions can be found to solve problems.We do need to get back to that.Yes I am enjoying Wow.It seems like a good site to voice opinions.On conservative sites I get hammered because I am pro choice and believe in raiseing minimum wage.On liberal sites I get hammered for being against illegal immigration and the for the right to bear arms.Makes life interesting I guess.Have a good weekend.
By TomL on 09/06/2008 3:54 pm
DianaT
Thanks, Tom. Go to Whoopis’ section and see the links from Media Matters in regards to talk radio’s rough treatment of women. I’m choice also. HOpe to write back and forth soon.
By DianaT on 09/06/2008 4:01 pm
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