Controversy.

I'm not sure if many of you have heard of the recent controversy over fellow "celebrity" blogger, Perez Hilton and Miss California 2009, but apparently it's all the rage in the media circuit. In case you weren't one of the 20 million people glued to the tube Saturday evening, here's what you missed....




I'm sure many of you know my stance on this issue, so I'll spare you the soapbox rant, but beyond the content of her answer or even the question, the sad fact of this entire situation is how people, namely Perez Hilton, have responded to her opinion.

Many have said that as a public figure representing America, Miss America should be "inclusive", not dividing the people. People have said that she should have been more "politically correct". My misunderstanding here is, when did America become the land of checking our opinions at the door? We are a democracy, a land founded on the majority vote. Clearly, that means there will be an opposite, or different, minority vote. Case and Point, the President of the United States-are they supposed to be "politically correct" with controversial issues? NO! We vote on politicians based upon their opinions and views of issues, NOT how well they don't offend the public.

Regardless of how Miss California answered, and yes she could have been more eloquent in her response, her opinion should not have "allegedly" cost her the crown. It has been her poise and character throughout this entire controversy that leads me to WANT her to be Miss America. She has been called every name in the book by Perez Hilton and she has taken it in stride and not dished it back.

It is so clear that the reason he is so upset, is because she didn't answer the way he wanted her to answer. I think he was looking for another venue to condone same-sex marriage and when it was shot out of the water, he had no other defenses. Furthermore, I think because he was the one asking the question and he, himself is a self-proclaimed homosexual, he was personally offended that she didn't take that into consideration and sugar coat her answer.

Once again, regardless of who I agree with on the subject, I was so disappointed that just because someone doesn't bow to the "political correctness" of society, it cost them something so significant. I want someone representing America that has a backbone and doesn't back down from what they believe, regardless if I believe in it or not. THAT produces the respect of others, not shifting your opinions just so people will like you or name-calling when they don't. Didn't we learn that when we were little, "stand up for what you believe in"??

Something to think about!

~LaRae