Obama, Sarkozy and the Roving Eye

It used to bug me to no end when men I was with stared at other women.

"I would appreciate it if you wouldn't stare at other women when you're with me," I'd say, seething. "It's disrespectful and juvenile."

The men invariably got defensive and denied doing anything wrong. "What woman?" they'd ask, and the evening would be ruined.

Over the years I've realized that the literal roving eye is more misdemeanor than felony. It doesn't bother me anymore as long as the once-over is quick and doesn't linger or keep repeating itself.

As it turns out, the photo showing the president looking at a lady's shapely behind while his French counterpart looks on in amusement didn't match the video. In motion, Obama seems to be actually watching his footing.

But the buzz about the snapshot reminded me of the importance of perspective. At a time when we can't read the news without stumbling into men who cheat on their wives with their "soul mates," or cheat with prostitutes, or may have fathered another woman's child, or who tried to buy their mistress' silence, what's a little looking?