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politics
Miss California & The Gay Rights Thought Police
OMG! Miss California is a social conservative!
Last night, the Miss USA pageant was held -- unbeknownst to me, since all I know about pageants is what I've seen in Little Miss Sunshine. Near the end of the pageant, celebrity judge Perez Hilton was tasked with asking one question of then-frontrunner Miss California Carrie Prejean. He decided to lob a question about one of the most politically controversial issues of our time; Prejean's response may have cost her the title:
Hilton: "Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit, why or why not?"
Prejean: "Well, I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country, and in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think that it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you very much."
Now, most politicians don't like answering that divisive question in front of a split audience, and typically squirm while doing so. For Prejean to have the courage to (even somewhat inarticulately) frame the issue as a state-by-state choice while acknowledging her honest personal beliefs, I think, shows a lot of strength and reflects well on her character.
But the beauty pageant judges were aghast at Prejeans' lack of political correctness, and retribution was swift.
"I think it did lose her the crown," Hilton said today on MSNBC. On a webcast posted late Sunday night, he ranted against Prejean, saying, "She lost not because she doesn't believe in gay marriage; she lost because she's a dumb b****."
More from Hilton: "... [T]hat is not the kind of woman I want to be Miss USA. There's a difference between running for president and being a beauty queen.
"A president is affiliated with a political party, that political party has ideologies, they are in favor with or against. A beauty queen, a beauty pageant queen, Miss USA, should represent all Americans. And with her answer, she instantly was divisive and alienated millions of gays and lesbians, their family, their friends, and supporters."
I have a much simpler answer: Why not avoid the hot-button issue during a beauty pageant in the first place? By asking that provocative question, Hilton was giving Miss California an ultimatum: answer correctly, or risk the crown.
Hilton claims no political bias, saying, "I was not upset or frustrated with her disagreeing with me about gay marriage. I was just upset and frustrated with how she answered the question."
Um, that's essentially the same thing.
Regardless of one's personal views on the issue, and whether we agree or disagree with Prejean's opinion, it's extremely troubling to see someone answer a question honestly -- articulating a viewpoint consistent with roughly half of the voters in her home state -- only to be punished by those who disagree.
It is hypocritical to fight for freedom of speech and freedom of expression if one has no tolerance for those with opposing views, and I am deeply concerned by the gay rights movement's overall decision post-Prop 8 to begin blacklisting political opponents out of anger and vengefulness.
Let's cut out the litmus test, and leave politics in the political arena.
Last night, the Miss USA pageant was held -- unbeknownst to me, since all I know about pageants is what I've seen in Little Miss Sunshine. Near the end of the pageant, celebrity judge Perez Hilton was tasked with asking one question of then-frontrunner Miss California Carrie Prejean. He decided to lob a question about one of the most politically controversial issues of our time; Prejean's response may have cost her the title:
Hilton: "Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit, why or why not?"
Prejean: "Well, I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country, and in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised and that's how I think that it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you very much."
Now, most politicians don't like answering that divisive question in front of a split audience, and typically squirm while doing so. For Prejean to have the courage to (even somewhat inarticulately) frame the issue as a state-by-state choice while acknowledging her honest personal beliefs, I think, shows a lot of strength and reflects well on her character.
But the beauty pageant judges were aghast at Prejeans' lack of political correctness, and retribution was swift.
"I think it did lose her the crown," Hilton said today on MSNBC. On a webcast posted late Sunday night, he ranted against Prejean, saying, "She lost not because she doesn't believe in gay marriage; she lost because she's a dumb b****."
More from Hilton: "... [T]hat is not the kind of woman I want to be Miss USA. There's a difference between running for president and being a beauty queen.
"A president is affiliated with a political party, that political party has ideologies, they are in favor with or against. A beauty queen, a beauty pageant queen, Miss USA, should represent all Americans. And with her answer, she instantly was divisive and alienated millions of gays and lesbians, their family, their friends, and supporters."
I have a much simpler answer: Why not avoid the hot-button issue during a beauty pageant in the first place? By asking that provocative question, Hilton was giving Miss California an ultimatum: answer correctly, or risk the crown.
Hilton claims no political bias, saying, "I was not upset or frustrated with her disagreeing with me about gay marriage. I was just upset and frustrated with how she answered the question."
Um, that's essentially the same thing.
Regardless of one's personal views on the issue, and whether we agree or disagree with Prejean's opinion, it's extremely troubling to see someone answer a question honestly -- articulating a viewpoint consistent with roughly half of the voters in her home state -- only to be punished by those who disagree.
It is hypocritical to fight for freedom of speech and freedom of expression if one has no tolerance for those with opposing views, and I am deeply concerned by the gay rights movement's overall decision post-Prop 8 to begin blacklisting political opponents out of anger and vengefulness.
Let's cut out the litmus test, and leave politics in the political arena.
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Johnny99
5:01PM 5:01PM Apr 21st 2009
Liberals are all for diversity, except diversity of opinion. If you opppose gay marriage, you are a homophobe. If you're against illegal immigration, you're a racist. If you criticize Obama, you are a racist redneck. If you support the military, you're a warmonger. Look what happened to Tom Tancredo in N. Carolina. There is a documentary called Indoctrinate U. See it.
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Workergy
5:17PM 5:17PM Apr 21st 2009
Well I guess it did cost her the crown. She can say anything she wants but just becasue she has the right to say it the judges could make have the right to decide the way they want. Either way if she would ahve said She did beleive the the GOP would have condemed her. So lets get some more women next year with killer bodies and make sure they ar enoit asked anything of value. THIS IS A BEAUTY PAGENT NOT WORLD EVENTS !!!! wHEN DID A PAGENT WINNER SAY ANYTHING THAT ANYONE HEARD???? Most are picked because of their looks I don't hear the fat crowd bitch so she lost I am really going to be upset about anything she has views on LOL
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mahalapril
5:38PM 5:38PM Apr 21st 2009
Imagine always gay sexual practices involving multiple gay sexual partners in bathouses and their anal-penile sex practice which facilitated the transmission of AIDS. This was always a practice of lusts not love. They were forced to become monogamous because AIDS would have exterminated them. If they want gay marriage so bad then let the gays get married in Iran,the Middle East,Afghanistan,Pakistan,Venezuela and Cuba. We heterosexual won't mind if the marry in these places because it will not destroy and confuse the future of our children and grandchildren.
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mahalapril
5:56PM 5:56PM Apr 21st 2009
We should send the gays to Iraq and the safe havens of Pakistan to fight the Talibans instead of SACRIFICING OUR TRUE YOUNG AND BRAVE AMERICAN SOLDIERS.WHAT THE GAYS DO IN AMERICA IS USE OUR MONEY FOR THEIR LUSTS IN THE NAME OF GAY MARRIAGE . LET THE GAYS FIGHT THE TALIBANS, THE GAYS WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO BE CAPTURED UNLESS THE TALIBANS DECIDE TO BEHEAD THEM.
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Jed
7:26PM 7:26PM Apr 21st 2009
"We should send the gays to Iraq and the safe havens of Pakistan to fight the Talibans instead of SACRIFICING OUR TRUE YOUNG AND BRAVE AMERICAN SOLDIERS."
Weird -- I never would've expected someone so fond of all-caps to support allowing gays in the military.
You're quite the progressive, Mahalapril.
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james bond
10:04AM 10:04AM Apr 23rd 2009
well, when gays are allowed to serve OPENLY in the military, we will go gladly.
When breeder rednecks like you learn to use a computer, and peck out some violent hate speech, it makes me wonder why YOU havent volunteered to go and fight these illegal wars?
Does having a dick in your face turn you on? Most of you homophobe losers are the BIGGEST cocksuckers on the planet, I know, I screw MANY married men, then send them home to their wives!!! HAHAHAHAHA gotta love the married and in the closet man, keeps me in furs!!
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Dan
5:39PM 5:39PM Apr 21st 2009
Whoever made this vulgar freak a judge of an important beauty pagaent is responsible for his destroyig this year's event.
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markchris911
6:09PM 6:09PM Apr 21st 2009
I am the mother of a gay son, I am against same sex marriage, that is my opinion and my right .I think that question to Miss California was an unfair question ,Unless it was asked to both of them. Also don't ask the question if you really don't want the answer. Perez is an idiot, he is rude and has no class.
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Matu Feliciano
6:20PM 6:20PM Apr 21st 2009
Shes a biggot, he's too much really. Good question, and yes she did lose because she said she did discriminate. So she lose. Now his use of a the B word was harsh. So was Miss California's stance, harsh. So tit for tat was formed by both. He says he wanted to call her a "C,,t", but he didn't. This guy needs another job, his fangs come out and cut with every word. He says he ws angry, well thats what people do when you make them angry, rage. Who's right here? Its not about right, its about being a biggot and thinking the world thinks like you, we don't. He was right. This is America and we don't need biggots in the next generation of American youth and young. What would she be teaching these kids? Too be a biggot. Religion has a big hand in a;l of these biggots. She said she was raised that way in her house. She said that not me. I'm glad someone stood up to her, Now, who's going after Bush?
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Brenda
2:22AM 2:22AM Apr 22nd 2009
Matu, why would Anyone use such a despicable word like C***? That degrades the person using it and says to the world that he must not know an intelligent word or phrase! It is also demeaning to the female gender and I am so glad that you held back from being so vicious! I despise that kind of vindictive and vicious language and as you have probably surmised,Gratfully of another Generation. One that was respectful, on the whole, of women. One who would suddenly stop in mid sentence if they were telling a dirty joke around the bar -b- que, when a Lady was present. Sadly, there are no such Men around anymore, much less Gentleman or Gentlewomen for that matter. They are gone with the Greatest Generation of World War 2 and with The Pepsi Generation. Sad, so very sad, when the youth of this country can only contribute Vicious, Filthy language, in film, print, on our Computers' and on the Airwaives. Well, may God Bless you all, maybe one day you can explain to your Children why daddy uses such horrible words towards women.
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BK
6:05PM 6:05PM Apr 23rd 2009
Oh, for heaven's sake....enough already with the Bush jabs. He's out of office. Can we PLEASE move on? Or are you so intellectually dim that Bush-bashing is the only weapon you can come up with? I'm glad he's gone, too. But I am tired of seeing his name thrown into every single comment section, no matter how off the subject it may be.
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Matu Feliciano
6:29PM 6:29PM Apr 21st 2009
Yes, people are not like you, Milions as a matter of fact.
I also know thousands that have left America.
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Brenda
9:25PM 9:25PM Apr 22nd 2009
And Matu,Good riddence. If you are so hate filled and have not a good word to say about this country who Allows You The Freedom To Speak As You Do,then you might think of moving to Cuba, Russia,Venezuala or China. I would love to hear your take on America after that experience. Did you ever think that being a homosexual is not a choice, anymore than what color eyes you have? I personally believe that No Person Would Choose To Be Gay and deal with all of the hatred and Criminal behavior there is towards Gays'. To Be Beaten, Drug behind a Truck and Killed, because you are Homosexual, says that person died Because He Or She Couldn't Change Who They Were. A rational person wouldn't want to go through life being in constant danger of physical harm. I am not saying that I understand Homosexuality, not am I saying Iam altogether comfortable with it. What I am saying is if God created us and part of us are Gay, then, as we have all been told all of our lives,God doesn't make mistakes! What I find dicpicable, is people who will Kill or injure another human being in the Name Of God! That is Criminal and demonstrates the fact that Homosexuals cannot switch their sexual identity on and off! Yes, if a person is placed in prison there will be some of those people who will resort to or be forced to engage in Homosexual acts, that is a fact in that kind of environment. Sad but true. I find the person who is guilty of a crime against Homosexuals a much worse person. Why, because he knowingly ets out to do harm and takes pleasure in the commission of that crime against the Homosexual! If you were a Homosexual and your life was in danger every day of your life and you had the power to go straight, don't you think a rational person would do so?? That to me, is the answer to the question of sexuality being a choice.
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BUBBA
7:08PM 7:08PM Apr 21st 2009
WHERE IN HELL DOES THAT LITTLE QUEER S.O.B. HAVE THE NERVE TO CALL HER A BITCH?!! I WOULD LIKE TO PLANT FIVE RIGHT ACROSS HIS DICK KISSING MOUTH!!
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Dorothy
7:58PM 7:58PM Apr 21st 2009
I think it was sort of courageous for Miss California to admit that her family are anti-gay bigots, but I think it's sad that she did not have the small amount of courage to at least say that that might be wrong. Does she fear the condemnation of her family members more than she fears the anger of GLBT people and their supportive family and friends? Would her family cut her off for daring to say something positive about gay people's rights? That's what I'd like to know.
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Dorothy
8:00PM 8:00PM Apr 21st 2009
Where is the comment I just tried to post?
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Dorothy
8:04PM 8:04PM Apr 21st 2009
Another thought. What if the comment had been about racial segregation? Let's say this beauty contestant is a white African-American -- her white family immigrated here from South Africa after the fall of apartheid and now live in an "apartheid" gated community, and someone asked her if she was for racial segregation, and she honestly replied that her family supports that, and because they do, she does?
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Ken Green
8:59PM 8:59PM Apr 21st 2009
When Miss Cali didn't cave to the loaded question, at the end of the video it looked like perez choked on something hot and seedy. Way to go , girl.
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boredwell
9:12PM 9:12PM Apr 21st 2009
I'm gay. Prejean's entitled to her views. She acknowledged ("it's great") that states and voters have freedom to choose. Had she stopped there and excluded giving her personal opinion she might be wearing that tiara. Though she was honest, people didn't really need to know her views. She shouldn't have offered it though she answered the question spot on. Hilton showed his immaturity when he called her the b word. I think he's the b for not understanding the 1st amendment.
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Janice
9:28PM 9:28PM Apr 21st 2009
Regardless of how I feel on the gay marriage issue. A contestant is to be judged not just on her response as we all have opinions regarding different issues, but on how she delivers it. Is it programmed? Is it truthful? Or is she saying what she truly means instead of just trying to blow smoke? That is how you judge an interview question. And yes I have judged and been around pageants for many years. The fact alone that she stood up for HER convictions would have gotten a high vote from me. The judge who asked it would have gotten a swift kick under the table.
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