Spring Break
Lack of poise, not answer, doomed pageant queen
Abstract:
Carrie Prejean, Miss California USA, learned this week that if you find yourself starting to say, "No offense to anybody" in front of a big crowd of people, the next thing out of your mouth will make someone mad....
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Jeff
posted 4/24/09 @ 8:26 AM CST
"To be honest, no one really cares what these girls think."
Mr. Kimbrough, you obviously do care, since you took the time an opinion piece. There is this thing called Free Speech that allows you to write an opinion piece. Funny thing is, every citizen of the United States has this right along with you.
Ms. Prejean had an opinion, and she expressed it. She didn't give a modified PC response (would you rather she did that, Mr Kimbrough?). Mr. Hilton, a paparazzi hack that spends his time chasing after Britney Spears, obviously was unprepared for the response. That is his problem as shown by his actions preceding the pageant.
This has nothing to do with States's rights.
Mr. Kimbrough, you obviously do care, since you took the time an opinion piece. There is this thing called Free Speech that allows you to write an opinion piece. Funny thing is, every citizen of the United States has this right along with you.
Ms. Prejean had an opinion, and she expressed it. She didn't give a modified PC response (would you rather she did that, Mr Kimbrough?). Mr. Hilton, a paparazzi hack that spends his time chasing after Britney Spears, obviously was unprepared for the response. That is his problem as shown by his actions preceding the pageant.
This has nothing to do with States's rights.
C. Knight
posted 4/24/09 @ 11:17 AM CST
You're missing the point. The issue isn't whether it was her answer or her lack of poise that lost her the pageant. The issue is the fact that the answer was an issue. The day after this happened I saw several headlines calling the answer "controversial". There were two possible answers to the question, and Miss California gave one of them. Rather meekly, as you pointed out. I guarantee that a pro-gay marriage answer wouldn't have been called controversial, regardless of what the majority's opinion in America is. I also think it's notable that in response to Ms. California's answer to his "insightful" question, Mr. Hilton called her a "dumb bitch" on his blog. Like you said, the pageant's questions usually call for answers about saving starving children and changing shoe sizes. So Hilton basically laid an unnecessary mine field with his question, and Miss California could have easily bypassed it by pandering to him. However, she faced it head on, even if she did do a little bit of disclaiming. For that she deserves to be commended.
Lizbeth
posted 4/25/09 @ 4:57 PM CST
Originally posted byC. Knight
You're missing the point. The issue isn't whether it was her answer or her lack of poise that lost her the pageant. The issue is the fact that the answer was an issue. The day after this happened I saw several headlines calling the answer "controversial". There were two possible answers to the question, and Miss California gave one of them. Rather meekly, as you pointed out. I guarantee that a pro-gay marriage answer wouldn't have been called controversial, regardless of what the majority's opinion in America is. I also think it's notable that in response to Ms. California's answer to his "insightful" question, Mr. Hilton called her a "dumb bitch" on his blog. Like you said, the pageant's questions usually call for answers about saving starving children and changing shoe sizes. So Hilton basically laid an unnecessary mine field with his question, and Miss California could have easily bypassed it by pandering to him. However, she faced it head on, even if she did do a little bit of disclaiming. For that she deserves to be commended.
I beg to differ. If she had said that she believed in same sex marriage, I think people would have called the answer controversial. It might night have received media attention, because for some unknown reason she thought she lost the title because of this answer, despite the fact that she was not in first place before she gave the answer. A pro-gay marriage answer would have offended conservative people just like her anti-gay marriage answer offended liberal people. This is the same argument people used during the election about Sarah Palin's daughter. People said that if a Democrat's daughter had been pregnant the media would not have cared. You cannot tell me for one second that if Barack Obama had a pregnant teenage daughter being trotted out on stage at the Democratic National Convention, that the entire country would not have lost it.
Chris
posted 4/25/09 @ 6:02 AM CST
Miss Ca has not once said, on stage or since that she believe gay people deserve any rights at all -- that is not the view of the majority of Americans. 41% of American favor marriage equality, 30% civil unions, and 29% no legal rights: Pew poll I believe is the source for that.
Marriage vs Civil Union is a legitimate debate, but according fellow citizens no rights is not ok in this day and age.
Marriage vs Civil Union is a legitimate debate, but according fellow citizens no rights is not ok in this day and age.
Joseph
posted 4/25/09 @ 10:16 AM CST
Mr. Kimbrough, you are arguing from an illogical position. Nowhere have I seen outrage, wailing, or gnashing of teeth over Miss Prejean's "lack of poise." Instead, she has been maligned and criticized for expressing her opinion. Agree, disagree, indifferent, it was an opinion question ("do you think..."), and Miss Prejean gave her opinion. Unfortunately, it was not an opinion that this particular judge liked, and therefore he claims to have stopped her from getting top spot, along with calling her various names on his celebrity gossip blog. Seeing this, I'm not particularly sure how he helps out the cause he claims to espouse, because this is little more than a continuation of the backlash witnessed after the passage of Proposition 8 in California.
Chris, while you bring up an interesting topic, it is not germain to the situation. Miss Prejean was not asked if homosexuals should have "any rights at all," she was specifically asked to give her opinion on gay marriage. I've listened to her answer, read it multiple times, etc., and honestly, I don't see the need for further elaboration.
Chris, while you bring up an interesting topic, it is not germain to the situation. Miss Prejean was not asked if homosexuals should have "any rights at all," she was specifically asked to give her opinion on gay marriage. I've listened to her answer, read it multiple times, etc., and honestly, I don't see the need for further elaboration.
Marriage is not Civil
posted 4/25/09 @ 9:37 PM CST
How about we just get rid of the tax benefits of marriage? Just deal with taxes at the individual level.
Insurance companies could start allowing you to sign up dependents as you see fit. Children obviously get dependent status. But they could allow you to choose one adult spouse.
End of gay marriage debate. Lawyers could just draw up marriage contracts and keep them on file at the courthouse.
Besides marriage did not originate as a Christian ideal. Jesus actually points back to Genesis regarding marriage, between a man and a woman.
Why not allow the lawyers to handle the business aspect, sharing of common wealth. And the Churches handle the sacrament.
Insurance companies could start allowing you to sign up dependents as you see fit. Children obviously get dependent status. But they could allow you to choose one adult spouse.
End of gay marriage debate. Lawyers could just draw up marriage contracts and keep them on file at the courthouse.
Besides marriage did not originate as a Christian ideal. Jesus actually points back to Genesis regarding marriage, between a man and a woman.
Why not allow the lawyers to handle the business aspect, sharing of common wealth. And the Churches handle the sacrament.
David Schweitzer
posted 4/26/09 @ 11:21 AM CST
Regardless of being wrong or right about her beliefs, Paul is right about one thing--you're judged on style and poise in those competitions.
Commend her for holding true to her beliefs regardless of what you think of them, instead of just spitting out some generic dribble, but the POINT of a popularity contest is to be popular, no matter how right or wrong it is.
Stupid, but that's how popularity contests work. If she wanted to win, she should have just said "I believe in world peace and an end to world hunger" like everyone else and been done with it.
Commend her for holding true to her beliefs regardless of what you think of them, instead of just spitting out some generic dribble, but the POINT of a popularity contest is to be popular, no matter how right or wrong it is.
Stupid, but that's how popularity contests work. If she wanted to win, she should have just said "I believe in world peace and an end to world hunger" like everyone else and been done with it.
frank burns
posted 4/27/09 @ 3:58 AM CST
Where is the honor of defending "How you were raised?" She didn't give any good reasons for or against, just the fact that "she was raised" that way. Well, suppose a person is raised with beliefs that are either wrong or should be revamped? Is it honor to stick to them? What about someone raised by radicals somewhere in the world, in some other religion, like one that hates the US? Where is the honor of sticking to "How I was raised" without objectively basing one's convictions on reason? Bad answer, Miss would-be America. Instead of praying not to be asked that, you should have spent a few minutes developing an answer that was honest, but also poised.
Observer
posted 4/30/09 @ 8:44 AM CST
Originally posted byfrank burns
Where is the honor of defending "How you were raised?" She didn't give any good reasons for or against, just the fact that "she was raised" that way. Well, suppose a person is raised with beliefs that are either wrong or should be revamped? Is it honor to stick to them? What about someone raised by radicals somewhere in the world, in some other religion, like one that hates the US? Where is the honor of sticking to "How I was raised" without objectively basing one's convictions on reason? Bad answer, Miss would-be America. Instead of praying not to be asked that, you should have spent a few minutes developing an answer that was honest, but also poised.
So, Ms. Prejean doesn't give the standard BS, cookie cutter, politically correct answer to an obviously loaded question and that makes her dishonest and unpoised? Unfraking believable.
Frank, its people like you that are killing free speech in America - all for the sake of being PC and the "oh I can't offend anybody, it makes me less popular and accepted" crowd.
EC
posted 5/01/09 @ 1:27 PM CST
I think her answer was just stupid.
It doesn't matter what her personal belief on gay marriage is. The point is we don't "live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage."
If we did, she wouldn't have been asked that question!!
It doesn't matter what her personal belief on gay marriage is. The point is we don't "live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage."
If we did, she wouldn't have been asked that question!!
Catbalou
posted 5/06/09 @ 1:51 PM CST
I'm inclined to agree with Mr. Kimbrough. The idea that a thoughtful & articulate response will receive added valued by even one of these judges, is a refreshing prospect for this country, regardless of his or her suspected motives. Don't we want a Miss America who is a pleasure to look at as well as to listen to? If we don't care about whether her boobies and other visual attributes are fake or real, why should we care about her ACTUAL position on gay marriage, as long as it is said intelligently and with poise and grace : )
K
posted 6/04/09 @ 10:29 PM CST
Unfortunately, you are another ill informed writer writing on a topic you obviously know nothing about. Way to offend every girl that is involved in pageants. Carrie is well respected and is developing a great voice in the publics eyes. Stick to writing something that you have a slight knowledge about. She stated her opinion, which is what she was asked for.
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zorg
posted 4/24/09 @ 5:27 AM CST
When you attack our new figurehead as a sore loser, you attack all conservatives everywhere. Do you think we lacked "poise" in the election? No, we lost because everyone was too afraid to vote for the white candidate for fear of seeming politically incorrect! This is the same way everyone's afraid to vote for Miss Clafornia because it would be politically incorrect to deny homosexuals their right to rule the world!
Right now, conservatives are under attack by welfare queens, snotty bluebloods, urban hipsters, bankers, terrorists, the jewish entertainment lobby, and environmentalist nutjobs, all of whom want a bailout at our expense. Are you saying you WANT gay marriage and higher taxes and to lose the war? What kind of America-hater are you?
To summarize, if you are against a truly beautiful woman and for a sissy gay marriage type, I have to wonder about you. After all, he who smelt it, dealt it.