Miss California

Any beauty queen's job is to be a public figure, a leader, and a representative of whatever or whomever elected her. In the case of a state, the woman is supposed to represent the many varied people and lifestyles and to encourage people to go to that state. As many in other types of public positions of leadership and celebrity can attest, these positions require tact and the ability to comport oneself with decorum and sensitivity at all times, even when the cameras are "off." In this, Miss California Carrie Prejean failed miserably, both in the Miss America pageant and since. If she doesn't have the forethought and comportment to answer questions during the pageant in a politically appropriate and sensitive way, what must she say when she thinks no one is listening?

California has enough gay people and those believing in gay marriage to pass a bill in the state to approve homosexual marriages. Many have argued that the only way the opponents of gay marriage could get that bill rescinded was by introducing a new proposition that was so confusing that many may not have known which way they were voting (and was barely a majority, with 52% voting to overturn gay marriage).

Miss California has stated categorically and unequivocally that she does not represent the gay people or culture in California, both during the Miss America contest and afterward in interviews. She now is getting paid to represent groups who agree with her stance; this is also in direct contradiction to the agreement when she became Miss California. She is no longer representing California as a whole and is, in fact, actively disavowing a group of people.

Another blow to her credibility in this very public position of leadership is that she lied to the Miss America governing body about semi-nude photos. So, not only is she unwilling to live up to her obligation as Miss California, she is perfectly willing to lie to try and win an even more prestigious public position. She's starting to seem like she should be in an office, all right-- normally I would say Congress, but the previous administrations (Clinton's and Bush's) indicate maybe the President is the best office -- a disregard for those whom you represent and a flaunting of the rules seems to fit!

I won't even go into the Miss California Organization potentially paying for Carrie Prejean to have a boob-job. If true, however, it is another interesting twist in this woman's 15-minutes of fame.

Lastly, of course, is her stating that she is staunchly Christian and follows the Bible. I guess she forgot or missed all those passages where Jesus preaches love and acceptance? Didn't think Jesus meant it when he was inclusive of all of the "worst" of society (for that time period). Missed all of his speeches on tolerance, turning the other cheek, etc.? She certainly is not the careful, polite, and considerate public speaker that Jesus is in the Bible.

Makes me wonder how her position on these issues reflects on her church and its leadership and members? I wonder if the membership went up or down there after all this came out? I wonder if her priest teaches this particular intolerance to his parishioners?

Of course, this debate says as much about those who agree with Carrie Prejean as it does about Miss California; if the question had been "What are your feelings on the rights of Mexicans (or any other minority) to marry?", or "What are your feelings on giving women the right to vote?" we would all be appalled that she said she is not in favor of it. We would think she was racist, sexist, and bigoted and would have stripped her of the California crown immediately, and no groups would want to pay her to be in ads extolling her opinions. But because this is against gay men and women it is okay for her to keep her crown and keep "representing" the few in California that she doesn't have a problem with.

Prejudice and bigotry are wrong, people. Even against gays.

Regardless of my position on any of the issues mentioned above, I can tell you this much: Carrie Prejean does not represent me in any way. And that, at the end of the day, is supposed to be her primary job until next year's Miss California pageant. And that is the reason why her crown should be revoked.