In defense of S.E. Cupp

Via Wikipedia

S.E. Cupp is a conservative pundit and writer who I don’t agree with ever.  Her politics are the opposite of mine, and her columns for the New York Daily News generally make my skin crawl or my brain ache or some combination of the two.

But today #IStandWithSECupp, because Hustler Magazine has crossed a vile line, even by Hustler standards).  In their latest issue, they published a picture of Cupp with a penis in her mouth with the caption, “What would S.E. Cupp look like with a penis in her mouth?”

Under the image the disclaimer reads:

No such picture of S.E. Cupp actually exists. This composite fantasy is altered from the original for our imagination, does not depict reality, and is not to be taken seriously for any purpose.

Gee, thanks guys.  That sure makes it less despicable, doesn’t it? No!

While Hustler claims the picture is intended to be funny “satire,” it simply is not funny.  It’s out of line, it’s sexist, and it’s an unacceptable form of misogyny.  Women are under attack from all sides and no matter what political party you are in, I’m going to defend you from sexist attacks.  I will not stand by in silence when a woman, any woman, is attacked in this way and belittled as nothing more than a sexual object.  It’s about disagreement over ideas; smearing and demeaning women should not part of the equation.

When pictures of Michele Bachmann at the Iowa State fair began to circulate with her eating a corndog to the glee of everyone with a twitter account, I tweeted, “Imagine that picture is of Michelle Obama and not of Michele Bachmann.  It immediately becomes unfunny.”

Women deserve respect no matter their politics.  And for that I’m raising my fist in solidarity with S.E. Cupp even though I disagree with her on basically everything except her awesome taste in glasses.  She doesn’t deserve this violation by Hustler and I send positive vibes to both her and her family.

Sign the Women’s Media Center petition in support of S.E. Cupp here.