We can all sit around and blame the media for drawing attention to it, blame Billy Ray for allowing it, blame Ms. Liebowtiz for taking the photo, blame Vanity Fair for printing it, and blame Miley Cirus for sitting for the photo shoot.  The bottom line is: as a parent I cannot ever control what is "out there" and wanting everyone else to stop negatively affecting my child is a lost cause.  But I can raise my own children with a set of values and morals that gives them an idea of what is right and wrong; I can raise them to sift through what is on television, radio, newspapers and magazines to find what is appropriate for them; I can teach them that celebrities are celebrities for a reason and with that title comes consequences, good and bad.  Miley knew exactly what she was doing and made decisions appropriate for her and who she is.  I can only do the same for my children and hope they make appropriate decisions for themselves as they grow older.

If this is "art out of hand" then how about the Sistine Chapel,the Thinker, or Christian depictions Cherubs  sitting next to God-- among other great works of art?
Good grief, there's nothing showing.

I think everyone needs to cool down.  Yes this is a fifteen year old girl, who happens to be very famous.  I'm sure Miley and her family thought it was an honor to be photograghed by the famous Annie Leibovitz.  Getting caught up in the photo shot I can understand. The biggest problem in todays society is that we all jump to sexual content.  I showed the picture to my 11 year old daughter, without listening to the media, and asked her option.  Her response, "She looks like she just woke up."  That is what our children think!  She is no Britney Spears or Lindsey Lohan, Her family have good values and surround her with complete support.  Something those other two young girls did not have.  Can we please leave the young Miley alone who is trying to survive this ordeal and talk about some real problems in our country!!

Get your mind out of the gutter people!  This is a beautiful and innocent picture of Miley Cyrus.  A piece of art...great photos Ms. Liebovitz!

I believe that Myle and her parents thought that the pictures would be fine. They were looking at these pictures in a different view, then what was printed. I can not believe the comments made by people regarding the picture of her and her father. This looks like a picture of a young girl growing up that loves her father, and a father that is standing right by his daughter. I bet a lot of fathers (and mothers) wish they could have the connection with their children that this family has. I am glad to see parents so involved in their children’s life.  

Let her be 15 and not portrait her as the upcoming 24/7 news for months to come. Pretending to be an adult, which she is not is ridiculous. Start her off doing photo shoots like this at 15 and what will it be at 20.  Take photos sure, with clothing on that a 15 year old girl would wear. I think America has had its share of so called young girl roll models gone bad! I thought this young girl was going to break that trend.

i don't know? why don't you all ask brooke shields and her mom about the gary gross photos at age 10, or about pretty baby age 13 and blue lagoon age 15.

Why is it a photo of a nude (practically) child can be put on the front page of a popular magazine and it is not child abuse.  Seems to me we need to rethink how we are 'using' our children to make money.

Well I am surprised over some of the statements before mine. I think it is ashame that a 15 year old has to pose like this to further her career or her ego maybe the families. She has a great career on her own singing and dancing, what is wrong with being a good wholesome girl. Oh I forgot maybe she'll make a few more bucks instead of a the few million she already has. Our society feels it is ok to just let our young children decide what is right for themselves even though they have seen obviously that they can not. Marjority ends up in rehab, pregnant and married with divorce in the near future. We need to go back to the old days and be parents and guide our young people to be decent humans and have respect for themselves. I don't blame her for making the wrong choice, the photographer may do good work but how about letting adults pose in a way like this that they know what could come behind after exposing them. We as society are to blame, especially the gentleman on today during the show saying this is what she has to do to further her career. NO!!! If she is good she will work hard to stay where she is at and will change her style as she grows for her age group, she doesn't need to be provocative. There is nothing wrong with staying wholesome and pure!!!  

Like the Dixie Chix who were embarrassed to have a president from their state, I am embarrassed at times to be part of a generation who can make a mountain out of every mole hill out there.  Get a grip, people! The only thing that is going to ruin Miley's reputation is the fact we can't just let this go.

All I can say is, I do not understand what the uproar is about the photos.  At least we adults see these, follow kids to school and I guarantee you they are exposed to way more than Hannah Montana covered in a sheet.  Get real and take the blinders off there are much worse things to see than that (pictures, words and actions).

I have two daughters, age 11 and 9, who LOVE Miley and her alter ego Hannah.  In fact, I have enjoyed her music & show as much as they have.  But I am so disappointed in the Vanity Fair photos because they DO sexualize a 15-year-old.  It is against the law to have sex w/15-year-olds; they are still CHILDREN, so why would we want to put sexy photos of a child in a magazine marketed to adults?  It is disgusting, and any rational person knows that this is bordering on child pornography.  How many parents would allow their young daughter to be photographed in this way for such a popular magazine?  Would you want your daughter to be the object of sexual desire of older men?  It's a disgrace.  Billy Ray - stop trying to be your daughter's best friend and start teaching her to honor God (not the media) with her body.  Miley, I will pray that God gives you the wisdom to make good decisions with your fame and fortune; after all, God is the one who has blessed you with it all.  Remember that it's your INNOCENCE not your SEXUALITY that has made you a star!

Annie Lebowitz is an amazing photographer, and I think these pictures are pretty. What an honor for Miley to be photographed by her. She is a sweet young lady, and a star. . . these photos are star-worthy. I have a daughter. I'd rather she and I view these artistic photos together rather than the teeny bop pages of whatever magazine kids buy these days (my daughter is young, I guess I'll find out). These photos are pretty, stylish and tasteful, in my humble opinion.  What does all this overreacting say about our American way of pumping out little  consumers and clones of rock stars and fictional media characters? I fully intend to help my daughter realize the difference between a pop star (entertainment/art) and real role model.   I enjoyed these pictures for the subject and the artistry. I was most shocked when I heard the hype today and logged on to see what the fuss was all about only to find these. . . .

I'm so very tired of hearing about this... Even though she is only 15 years old, she was only showing her back... But it is ok for Jamie Lynn Spears to get pregnant and still have a show on Nick!!! and she is only 16... That's crazy and this is crazy... Do parents really know what there own 15 year olds are doing!!! Probably much worse than what Miley is doing and the parents who usually complain about these things are the ones who kids are out of control!!! So if you want to comlplain about something at least complain about something thats worth it!!!!

As a parent I am appauled at what is being done to Miley Cyrus. It should not be up to her to apologize for what adults have done to her.  She is a 15 year old child. What Annie Leibovitz has done to her is nothing short of child pornography.  There is nothing "artsy" about it.  There is no reason that there should be sexually provacative pictures of this child in a magazine that caters to adults. This has nothing to do with who she is or her fans. It is for adult viewing and it is sickening. Ms. Leibovitz, NBC,
the Today show and her parents should be apologizing to her. It is up to the adults in this child's life to protect her from these situations. It should never be her decision to pose like this. As she said, "you can't say no to Annie." Annie should never have suggested it. I am dissappointed in the TODAY show in
the discussion of what these photos will do for her
career. You should have been discussing how wrong it is for adult to take advantage of this child. If I had published a picture of my son or daughter like that I would be arrested on child pornography and
child abuse charges. What Vanity Fair has done is
pornographic and abusive.

In a country where we drink and screw our way through everything, jockeys up on their high horses cast judgement onto everything in their site.  We are at war.  There is an insane amount of people without health insurance.  The highschool dropout rate is on the rise, and the citizens of this once free sppech/expression country are worried about a picture. I have one judgement to make for all of these people, you are pathetic. So what if her back is exposed? Younger girls in other countries are getting married and having children, more importantly, girls in this country are getting pregnant at 13.  The real issue here? where are our priorities?

I understand that Miley Cyrus is only fifteen, and that age is a big factor in this heated discussion. But to criticize this artistic photo, is a little overrated. If people believe this is too much and too sexual, then please start a fight with every museum about young girls being displayed in a sexual nature because half the artists had teen girls as there muses.  If you don't like it change the channel, and don't buy Vanity Fair.  Miley Cyrus wasn't laying it all out there, she was showing her back, and if that is so unbearable, then Disney shouldn't allow her to be in a swim suit on Hannah Montana either.  Sure it can be taken as sexual and perverts can view it, but they can do that anywhere, it doesn't take the pages of a magazine.  It's beautiful, and  parents can control what there children see, so if it is so needed to harbor Miley's innocence, don't allow your child to access this photo.

Now again the media is bringing something to the attention of the mainstream public & blowing it way out of prportion. My 9 year old DOES NOT read Vanity Fair & would have no idea about about any of this unless for all the coverage on TV, now I have to even turn off the Today show this morning so as I don't have to get into a discussion before school as to why  people are making this so awful to  someone she looks up to. Again  this is just another example of exploitation of the media.The pictures are'nt that bad. Come now.

The photos were taken in great taste, maybe a little inappropriate for a 15yr old, but very beautiful.  There are other 15 and 16 yr old pop stars out there doing far worse things than posing for a picture.  My 5 yr old loves Hannah Montana Show and Miley's songs.  She isn't going to buy a magazine and she isn't going to watch the news, her perception won't change unless I make an issue out of it and I CHOOSE NOT TO.  She could have a lot worse role models than Miley.  Pay attention to what your own kids are doing and when they are perfect, then you can point your finger at someone else.

Is this worse than the calvin klein ads of brooke sheilds in the 80's ?  Did it damage sheilds? no --and it will not damage cyrus?

I have more of a problem with the pictures where Miley is lying in her fathers lap, than I do of her individual shots.  I have seen more skin on a 15 year old at any beach or pool in the world.  I think everyone has to get their heads out of the holier-than-though gutter, and take the pictures for what they were. Pictures taken by a (world renowned) photographic artist.  And it isn't like the Cyrus's people didn't get e preview. PLEASE! Lets' move on.

The picture reminds me of the poster that advertised the show "Les Miserable". No one took offens to that. A  girl of 13 with a bare back is offensive? Go to the beach America. Grow up.

I definately feel Miley made a bad decision however, if it weren't for the MEDIA my girls would never have known. I don't know about other MOMs but my children don't read Vanity Fair.

Sadly, sex sells regardless of the age of a star. Remember Brook Shields years ago when she poised for Calvin Klein. Back then, it seemed a bit sexy along with her one roll as a hooker? Look at her now. Miley has apologized to the press. The problem is with the press, to much press about every little thing. Let's talk about what really important, when this economy is going to turn around and what it's going to take to get us out of this slump!

THE FACT THAT YOU GIVE THIS STUPID PICTURE SO MUCH AIR TIME IS AMAZING.  DO YOU PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO SPELL NEWS?      DO YOU EVEN KNOW THERE IS A WAR GOING ON?  THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOSING THEIR JOBS LEFT & RIGHT?  THAT THE PRESIDENT IS RAPING THIS COUNTRY.  I WILL NEVER WATCH THE TODAY SHOW AGAIN.  GIVE AMY GOODMAN A CALL AND LEARN HOW TO REPORT NEWS ILO GOSSIP!  GOOD RIDDANCE!

HEY PEOPLE.... TWENTY SOME YEARS AGO DO YOU REMEMBER?

ONE WORD... MADONNA!

SHE WAS DOING THE SAME THINGS AND WE ALL SERVIVED... RELAX EVERYONE AND GET OVER IT!

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