The politics of Miss USA
Kristen Dalton of Wilmington won the Miss USA 2009 title in Las Vegas Sunday night.
Way to go, Miss North Carolina.
The lingering story, however, is about the woman who finished second, Carrie Prejean of California, and whether she lost because judge Perez Hilton didn't like her answer to his question about same-sex marriage.
You can see Hilton's video rant on his blog, where he calls Prejean a "dumb bitch" and reveals the answer she should have given to his question: whether she thinks other states should follow Vermont's lead in allowing same-sex marriages. She should have said it's up to each state to decide for itself.
In other words, he says she should have dodged his question, even though he asked for her opinion. Right. But she did give her opinion. It "alienated so many people," Hilton said, and Miss USA should "unite people."
Are people united in favor of same-sex marriage? Of course not. Hilton should have known when he asked the question that either answer, yes or no, would be divisive. On NBC's "Today" show yesterday, he faulted Prejean for injecting her politics and religion into her answer. I don't think she mentioned her religion on stage, but he asked a political question. Naturally, the answer would be seen as political.
Hilton claims that Prejean was not penalized for her view on same-sex marriage, but that's bogus. He asked a question that forced her to state her position on that issue and, because he disagreed with her answer, he concluded she didn't deserve the title of Miss USA.
Miss USA officials now have to decide whether one of the requirements for contestants is that they agree with the politics of pagaent judges. If so, contestants should be told up front what political views they're supposed to hold and which views will disqualify them.
At least it's not just about the swimsuits.
Comments (12)
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I saw this young woman interviewed by Neil Cavuto. She's quite bright, well spoken, well centered. She said she would pray for the angry, obviously self loathing Ms. Hilton.
I wonder why she wasn't on MSLSD, or CNN! Ms. Hilton is an expert t what? He's just another of the "wonderful" role models for the homosexual community, that have been such a boon to their many causes! Why is Hilton so concerned with gay marriage, it's (Hilton's) best bet would inter-species marriage!
Posted on April 22, 2009 11:33 AM
Doug:
Congratulations to Miss North Carolina, though I'm not sure what for.
It's a shame that such a fine and upstanding institution as a beauty pageant is brought into disrepute.
One does have to wonder, however, at Carrie Prejean's comments.
From the article you linked, "I don't take back what I said," she told Lauer, adding that she "had spoken from my heart, from my beliefs and for my God."
"It's not about being politically correct," she said. "For me, it's about being biblically correct."
So her beliefs regarding God and being biblically correct led her strut around in a skimpy bikini. Where does she worship? The Church of the Blessed Thong? Our Lady of Perpetual Waxing?
Posted on April 22, 2009 12:20 PM
I have trouble with the idea that God frowns on young women wearing bikinis.
Posted on April 22, 2009 12:50 PM
It's a shame that such a fine and upstanding institution as a beauty pageant is brought into disrepute.* Dave
So having young chicks parade around semi-nude brings a fine and upstanding institution that deserves no ill repute? Heck Son, that is like making the " Girls Gone Wild Video" a recuriting tool for a Christian outreach program.
Posted on April 22, 2009 1:09 PM
Connie:
The line that you quoted was supposed to be sarcastic, sorry it didn't come through that way.
The bigger point was that it's hard to take seriously any of the back and forth from a Donald-Trump sponsored event in which women parade in bikinis in front of D-list celebrity judges, including one whose main claim to fame is "outing" gay actors and actresses.
Posted on April 22, 2009 2:42 PM
Dave, I understand, and I was being flippant in my response.
Normally, I have no interest in Miss USA or Miss America and haven't watched either one in many, many years.
If there's anything serious to be taken from this flap, it's much to a similar point as you, I and many others made in regard to the incident in Chapel Hill last week: the tendency to bash people for expressing what are perceived to be unpopular ideas.
Whether we think it's important or trivial who holds the title of Miss USA, it's undoubtedly important to the contestants and therefore ought to be decided fairly.
Posted on April 22, 2009 2:50 PM
My question is what next, maybe midget football.
Mr. Clark, I see that your UNC folks acted up again last night.
Got a bunch of spineless people running that place.
Posted on April 23, 2009 8:29 AM
Mr. Johnson, you are incorrect once again. Campus police arrested and charged six people for disorderly conduct. The speaker was able to proceed with his talk.
How do you see spinelessness in that? What exactly do you think the university should have done beyond what they did?
Posted on April 23, 2009 8:35 AM
Dave Ribar once again proves to be the perfect liberal spokesperson. Instead of condemning the obviousy deranged Hiltonfor his mindless rant, he attacks a woman who, WHEN ASKED, states her opinion. Since it doesn't fit with the opinion of Hilton and the Ribars of our crumbling society, he attacks the woman. I'm surprised he didn't blame Bush! How did we ever get to this point in this once grat country?
Posted on April 23, 2009 10:25 AM
Come on, Tony. Dave was only kidding. It's not fair to compare him to Perez Hilton, who is an obnoxious twit.
Posted on April 23, 2009 10:33 AM
Okay, I jumped the gun. I reread post which I misinterpreted. I apologize. Everytime during my life when I've been wrong, I've been big enough to admit it, both times!
Posted on April 23, 2009 3:06 PM
By the way, here's Perez Hilton in an incredibly friendly interview on MSNBC (of course) where he refuses to apologize for calling Prejean "the B word" and says he was thinking of "the C word."
I can't say exactly for sure what he meant by "the C word," but my guess it's another female-specific slur. Interesting that the female interviewer here never challenges him about that or his role in denying Prejean the Miss USA title on account of her opinion about same-sex marriage.
http://www.technolik.com/2009/04/21/perez-hilton-reply-to-miss-usa-answer/
I wasn't familiar with this guy before, but let's say I'm not impressed.
Prejean, meanwhile, says she's praying for him.
http://www.sassyqarla.com/2009/04/carrie-prejean-says-shes-praying-for.html
Good for her. No question in my mind who's the better person here.
Posted on April 23, 2009 3:59 PM