Ogling is in the Eye of the Beholder

One of the most searched-for Internet images of the G8 meetings in Italy this week purports to show the president of the United States, seemingly backed by approving wingman Nicolas Sarkozy, checking out the curvy bottom of a 16-year-old G8 junior delegate.

Putting aside for a second that news coverage of these important economic meetings could so easily be degraded to snickers about chiefs of state acting like horndogs on ladies' night, a closer look at video of the same moment clearly shows President Obama was barely aware of the young woman passing by. Personally, I agree with Mia that a quick look at an attractive stranger is harmless. But what does it say about the public's appetite for sexy scandals -- that instead of noting the importance of investment in gender equality on the summit agenda, so many are titillated by the thought a world leader might appreciate a woman's body?