Pictures of women are reportedly viewed as sexually suggestive. It appears that even Hillary Clinton in a pants suit is just too much for the readers of the Orthodox daily. It is a position reminiscent of our earlier story how Hasidic leaders prevailed on the New York City authorities to get rid of bicycle lanes to avoid having to see women on bicycles.
Last week we saw the conviction of a leading Orthodox Rabbi who appeared unable to sit next to a woman on an international flight for more than 90 minutes without committing assault.
The Jewish Week blog notes that the original photo was released with the following disclaimer:
“This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.”
It is obviously not only an offensive treatment of women but a fundamental violation of journalistic principles — neither concern is likely, however, to move the writers of this Orthodox daily.
Jonathan Turley