Karen Donley, Author at Reading The Pictures

Photo March 22, 2012

Romney's Etch-a-Sketch

And (adding insult to two self-inflicted injuries), just what is Santorum looking at in the back seat of his car?

Protest Focus Photo March 9, 2012

If I Had a Hammer

This photo conveys a yet-unclassified demographic which is more a threat to the GOP in the general and local elections come November: The middle-aged, middle class woman who votes.

Culture Focus Photo February 2, 2012

Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Acceptance in One Photo

You have to read the caption to understand the situation, but once you do, you get a glimpse of how real-life America has incorporated what the media feels is outside the norm.

Culture Focus Photo January 31, 2012

An Extra Point on New Yorker Obama Campaign '12 Super Bowl Cover

Pleasure watching Romney and Newt pummel each other? Sure. But the real take away is deeper than that.

Campaign '12 Photo January 30, 2012

Covert Veep Campaign in Full Swing (With Fundamentalist Twist)

With Florida looking like a blowout, attention, and lenses, turn to best supporting roles.

President Obama Photo January 26, 2012

Romney's Obama Dog Whistle?

Isn’t working.... Food stamp president…. Seems they may be stringing that stuff together with an ulterior motive.

President Obama Photo January 25, 2012

Somalia Rescue and SOTU '12: If You Can't Get It Into the Speech On Time…

He may not have been able to mention the rescue in front of Congress during the SOTU, but...

Newt's Southern Brand

Campaign '12 Photo January 17, 2012

Newt's Southern Brand

Well, Gingrich might as well have had the South tattooed on his face.

International Focus Photo January 9, 2012

This Somali Pirate Shot — Why it Matters

An amazing pirate pic by Tyler Hicks for the NY Times. But does it say more, inadvertently, about desperation and hunger?

Militarism Focus Photo December 23, 2011

The White House Military Christmas, and Christmas-in-Mourning Trees

I’m not sure I get the mourning holiday tree. Who decorates a Christmas tree with dead people?

The Great Recession Photo December 10, 2011

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny makes a television address to warn the nation that it now faces new spending cuts and tax rises. Doesn’t she stand in for everyone else? Sleeping in what should have been the dining room, Jesus on the mantle. And that look on her face.It...

Campaign '12 Photo December 1, 2011

Paul Does Perp Number on Gingrich (or, is that Ted Kennedy?)

What's so blatant about Ron Paul's video ad (besides the imagery and because of it) is the struggle for the middle in the "Not Mitt” environment.

Campaign '12 Photo October 25, 2011

Our Take on the Herman Cain Smokin' Video

If 20.3 million folks smoke and some of them are Tea Partiers, they and some Libertarians might vote for the pizza guy.

International Focus Photo October 18, 2011

Guitar Hero

Clearly a "photo gallery top hit."

President Obama Photo September 29, 2011

How Brown America Has Become

I have to admit, the aesthetics of this pic from Tuesday's Obama photo-op got me.

Occupy Wall Street Photo September 28, 2011

NYPD Occupy Wall Street Pepper-Gate: White Shirts Gone Wild

The images from the pepper spray confrontation reveal more than just police brutality -- they capture the specific overreaction of high-ranking police officers in the fray.

Culture Focus Photo September 2, 2011

“Mao” like Mao than Martin

MLK’s sculpture portrays a monumental, stern, and even defiant Martin Luther King. Somewhat at odds with the Jesus-like makeover the press has given him.

Photo August 31, 2011

NATO in Libya: "We’re Drone-a Get Ya"

This morning, The Atlantic's Marc Herman has a nice piece about propaganda leaflets being dropped over Libya. We honed in on, particularly, this flyer and what the drone, a symbol of American might and stealth, means to people in the Middle East and North Africa.