or am I perhaps being sexist instead

[BalloonSlayer]

There was a cartoon in the Sunday Times of Jacqui Smith, depicting her as naked but for fishnet stockings, showing breasts. It was not a flattering portrayal.

OK only a cartoon.

Given that part of what the cartoon was lampooning about her is the adult movies scandal which is not exactly her fault I thought it was pretty unfair. But I found the depiction of her incredibly, skin-crawlingly offensive. If it had been me I would have felt completely humiliated by it.

BUT - and here is the AIBU/S bit - politicians are often depcited semi-nude by satirical cartoonists, aren't they? John Major was always shown in a giant pair of grey pants by the guy in the Guardian, wasn't he?

Maybe I think it's so awful as it showed a nipple? Or am I being sexist and am only upset because she is a woman?

I agree myredcardigan. The Jacqui Smith cartoon is so much more sexualised. Find me a cartoon with a male politcian in a demeaning sexual pose a la readers wives of top shelf magazines and I'm quite sure I'll find it offensive. Except that such a thing doesn't exist.

Yes I like it too that's why I linked to it .

And as I mentioned, he had just been outed as having had an affair with Edwina Currie, so was fair game.

This is an interesting debate.

I thought it was such a funny cartoon I found it on line and emailed it to a friend, I'm afraid. Mostly men are protrayed. It's a sign of the times and that there is less sexism that there is actually a woman shown.

I'm with you myredcardigan.
The Jacqui Smith cartoon is offensive - bending over and picking up cash at the same time... hardly subtle. Yet again I think it shows a lack of imagination by a satirist who can't think of any other way to a woman other than to demean her sexually

that should have been - can't think ofany other way to criticise a woman other than to demean her sexually ! ooops

Political cartoons are supposed to provoke a reaction. Surely GS has done his job?

Why's it funny though Xenia?

Is it because she looks awful?

She is being portrayed as if she has been guilty of sexual impropriety.

It could be argued that a presentation of: sexual impropriety + picking up cash = prostitution.

Given that the sexual impropriety, such as it was, was committed by Smith's husband, why was he not depicted in fishnets showing his arse? I might have found that funny.

PadDad - I agree wth you. There is a long history of savage political cartoons goig back hundreds of years depicting politicians in various states of undress or even having sex.

I believe I recall a similar cartoon of Margaret Thatcher depicted in fish net stockings once.

That said I did find it a bit OTT but as there have been others in a similar genre of mae politicians over the years it is probably just about acceptable.