As sexism charges against media coverage of Sarah Palin have intensified in recent weeks, a pair of pictures in particular have sparked widespread fury.

The first, taken Wednesday by Reuters wire service, demeans the Alaska governor and V.P. hopeful as nothing more than a sex object, some critics believe.

The only glimpse of Sarah Palin in the photo is a blurred close-up of her legs - with a face of a young, male audience member between them, looking up.

Others also levied criticism of the latest Newsweek cover, which shows a close-up picture of Sarah Palin's face that was not retouched or airbrushed. The horror.

You can see pores, and maybe a hint of a wrinkle! Such liberal bias.

Are the pics sexist? Or do their critics need to chill the eff out?

Check out the Sarah Palin pictures in question and tell us what you think:

Are these Sarah Palin pictures sexist?