Reading The Pictures: <em>Rove Just Begging For It</em>

Under the cover of jest, that's when truth is revealed.

This photo of King Karl, joking with staff members after Saturday's White House Correspondents' dinner, literally begs for interpretation. Because I have no more background than you, the gesture could be nothing more than exclamation, or light-hearted appeal. Let's not forget, however, this antagonistic man is practicing under a perpetual indictment rumor, and no one is more craftily opportunistic in the face of a lens.

Probably, my association is tainted as much by the clandestine-ish "back-to-the-camera" power conversation as it is by the (just classic) merger of Karl with the security officer.

Of course, I'd like to hear your read.

What I see is a smug, unscrupulous and even taunting penguin daring: "Just cuff me!"

For more of the visual, visit BAGnewsNotes.com.

(image: Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP. April 29, 2006. Washington. via YahooNews)