SubscribeHow did Newsweek get Sarah Palin to pose with a rifle?
How did Newsweek convince Gov. Sarah Palin to pose with a rifle for its cover?
Simple. It didn't.
Instead, it used an archive (fancy speak for old) stock photo of her taken back in June 2002 and used it for the cover without her knowledge.
However, to the magazine's credit, it did not try to hide the fact that it's a stock photo, even printing circa 2002 on the cover and again referencing the date in Jon Meacham's editor letters entitled "The Palin Problem."
So that makes it OK.
Right? Or maybe not? What do you think?
Hey, is that even the right way to hold a rifle? Can't you shoot your foot off like that?
Just wondering.
Photo: courtesy of Newsweek
The
What a great photo. Makes me like her even more.
Way to go Sarah!!!
Posted by: Cindy | October 08, 2008 at 05:26 PM
I suppose that liberals would never know the difference between a rifle and a shotgun - being that you rely solely on the bravery and honor of patriotic Americans to protect you.
Posted by: Carl | October 08, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Is that a right way to hold a rifle? No. But it is an appropriate way to hold a breech loading shotgun. Which that is. Reporters often wonder how those rural hicks always can spot them. It's comments like that. It's ok to wikipedia things. That doesn't make you a stupid rural hick. In fact, having your facts right might make you seem less of an arrogant, erudite reporter who doesn't even know what she doesn't know.
Posted by: ASB | October 08, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Your question was "Can't you shoot your foot off like that?"
Obviously you don't know anything about guns....your finger has to be on the trigger for it to discharge. Also, with an over and under firearm, like that pictured, the gun has to be closed to fire. Guess you should stick to the gossip and fashions - Go get some gun training before you make stupid comments like that!
Posted by: ladyshooter | October 08, 2008 at 05:34 PM
That's not a rifle it's a over under shotgun, Which is broken open at the breach. That's a common way to carry them.
Posted by: royf | October 08, 2008 at 05:35 PM
She's posing with a shotgun. Not a rifle.
Posted by: Lees | October 08, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Why would you refer to an shotgun with an open action as a loaded rifle?. Thank you. Steve
Posted by: Hamaker | October 08, 2008 at 05:36 PM
How can one shoot themselves in the foot when the gun is broken open? Appears a slight one sided left lean with this photo.
Posted by: oldblue | October 08, 2008 at 05:38 PM
That's a shotgun, not a rifle.
Posted by: Tom C | October 08, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Well, actually, it's not a rifle. It's an over and under shotgun; but coming from Southern California, we can't expect all of you to know that.
s/ OIFVetForMcain
and Gun Literate Citizen
Posted by: OIFVetForMcCain | October 08, 2008 at 05:40 PM
The longarm appears to be a shotgun and side by side which breaks open. It is not possible to shoot the gun with the action open. Many hunters do carry a shotgun broken open like that over their shoulder.
I suggest before you ask a question if that is the correct way to hold a gun talk to people at a gun shop or range or hunter shop.
Posted by: Tasha | October 08, 2008 at 05:42 PM
It is a shotgun, not a rifle, and if you knew that you would also know they are frequently held over the shoulder with the breech open as a comfortable way to carrry.
Posted by: Bill | October 08, 2008 at 05:42 PM
A) It's not a rifle, it's a shotgun.
B) It cannot be fired because you'll notice that the barrel is at a 90 degree angle to the stock.
Posted by: Susan | October 08, 2008 at 05:42 PM
That's a shotgun not a rifle and it is 'broken' (ie. not able to be fired) and it is a common way to carry a shotgun.
Ok with me if they go to the archives, as long as it isn't altered.
Kent C
Posted by: Kent C | October 08, 2008 at 05:45 PM
A rifle? That isn't a rifle. But then, how can we expect anybody in the press to know that?
Posted by: Gay | October 08, 2008 at 05:46 PM
*facepalm*
- Can't you shoot your foot off like that?
Do you even know how a breech-loading shotgun works?
Posted by: Ryan Frank | October 08, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Palin's posing with a rifle on the Newsweek cover?
Where?
I don't see a rifle.
Posted by: JEM | October 08, 2008 at 05:51 PM
That's a shotgun, double barrel, one on top, one on the bottom. It's unloaded. To carry it this way, you're aware of what you might hit with the barrel.
Yeah, it's safe to carry it unloaded this way.
Posted by: Blademonkey | October 08, 2008 at 05:55 PM
Hey, genius. That's a shotgun, not a rifle. And no, it can't fire when it's open.
Isn't it time for some warm pudding and beddie bye?
Posted by: Warden | October 08, 2008 at 05:56 PM
If you have to ask if you can shoot your foot off holding the shotgun that way, you really shouldn't even have written this.
Posted by: TRO | October 08, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Elizabeth, it's a shotgun, not a rifle. And no, you can't shoot your foot off like that, because the breech is open and the weapon can't fire.
Jeebus.
Posted by: Jim Schuler | October 08, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Actually, it's a shotgun.
The LAT is showing it's usual commitment to accuracy.
Posted by: RobertP | October 08, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Mock it because you sure don't understand it. Rich irony.
Posted by: S. Simmons | October 08, 2008 at 06:08 PM
You know if your going to criticise someone for what they appear to be doing it might actually help if you knew what you were talking about. First of all the weapon she is holding is a shotgun not a riffle and secondly carrying it with the breach open like that over the shoulder is preity standard stuff and something you would regularly see on skeet shooting ranges because it enables people quickly ascertain that the weapon is unloaded and incapable of being fired.
Posted by: Matt | October 08, 2008 at 06:10 PM
It's a shotgun, not a rifle, and with the breech open like that you can't shoot anything. That's why someone who actually knows anything about the weapon she's holding would pose like that.
But even if you got the basics wrong, at least you still have a job at the Times (this week).
Posted by: Bill | October 08, 2008 at 06:10 PM