Fiel Wrote:So Cali responded with her beliefs and likely gets axed for it because she wasn't p/c. The whole thing sucks.
It's unfortunate but that's just human nature at work. People like being agreed with, and when her beliefs conflict with the popular one, of course she's going to get axed. This happens everywhere, not only at beauty pageants.
If the beauty pageant wants to act that way though, then the pageant itself is not worth anything. It's not valid, it's not testing what it's supposed to. It's not a true test of beauty, only a test of conformity.
Mira Wrote:A guy can love a guy, a guy can love a girl, a girl can love a girl, and a girl can love a guy. I don't see why it's so wrong for a girl to love a girl or a guy to love a guy, or make out in public for that matter. A gay couple is like a straight couple, would you like to see two teenagers making out who are a straight or gay couple? What does it matter? This whole thing reminds me of racism really. I just don't understand it, i see gays just like straights. Of course their not the same, but that doesn't mean you treat them THAT differently. You can't say blacks are the same as whites, but you can say they are equal, can't you? Why can't we say the same for gay couples and straight couples? I feel as if I've lost the reason why people don't like gays. If you put two guys next to each other, in fact, what about two TWINS? If one twin was gay and the other straight, would they look any different from each other? Would one be better then the other? These questions pop into my mind whenever i hear about things as silly as this...
I just felt like saying this, but that entire rant-like paragraph sounded a lot like "All people are equal, but some are more equal than others", especially the part I bolded.
ndynslvr Wrote:On a final note, my parents are not legally married but instead married in the eyes of God. And if you think the other person is your soulmate then you are married in your heart and there is no reason why you should not love your soul mate then regardless of your sexual preference. Although those marriage rights and tax benefits and ability to adopt a child WOULD BE NICE.
That's just amazing.
I've questioned marriage before, and I find it bs. In my eyes, marriage is just a formal act of announcing that two people are going to join hands forever. It's just a religious ceremony, nothing more. I find it funny how the US tolerates freedom of religion, yet imposes marriage on people. Also, what of the people who don't believe in a religion? Why should they be forced to go through a religious process?
Animals don't marry, yet some animals abide by pretty much the same rules, that is, once they reproduce with each other, they don't go off to find another spouse. Somehow, the requirement of marriage is so prevalent that it may almost seem as if humans can't seem to control their behaviors as well as animals can. And humans are supposed to be the most "evolved" animals walking the earth! <~ LoL.
That said, I'm glad that you mention that your parents aren't married. I haven't actually heard of anyone who has done this.
TehMatt Wrote:Also, I just want to point out this:
Spoiler
Quote:LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Miss North Carolina USA Kristen Dalton was crowned Miss USA 2009 on Sunday, beating out 50 other beauty queens in the live pageant televised from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
The 22-year-old aspiring motivational speaker and entertainer from Wilmington edged out first runner-up Miss California USA Carrie Prejean, of San Diego, and second runner-up Miss Arizona USA Alicia-Monique Blanco, of Phoenix.
"It feels really natural," Dalton said of her win. "I've worked so be here and this has been my lifelong dream and it's finally here. And whoever knew you could win in a turquoise gown?"
Contestants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia competed in the pageant, aired live on NBC. Contestants were judged by their performance in swimsuit and evening gown modeling contests and their responses to a question asked onstage; unlike the rival Miss America pageant, Miss USA contestants do not perform a talent.
The top 15 contestants worked the stage in white string bikinis designed by pop star Jessica Simpson's swimwear line. Rocker Kevin Rudolf performed his song "Let it Rock," followed by The Veronicas, who performed their single "Untouched" as the top 10 beauties showed off their choice of glittering evening gowns.
Dalton's was a flowing, blue Grecian number that stood out among a series of white gowns.
Her title comes with a year's use of a New York apartment, a public relations team, a two-year scholarship at the New York Film Academy and an undisclosed salary.
She also will go to the Bahamas in August to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, where American beauties haven't been lucky in recent years. Both Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart and her predecessor, Rachel Smith, wiped out on stage during the evening gown competition, becoming accidental YouTube stars.
Asked about the tumble during the show on Sunday, Stewart said it was a lesson in bouncing back from defeat.
"I think it was a true test of my character," said the 27-year-old Texan, who worked to raise awareness for breast cancer as she traveled the globe promoting the beauty contest.
If there is a YouTube moment from Sunday's show, it may be Miss California's answer to a question about legalizing same-sex marriage. The tall blonde stumbled some before giving an answer that appeared to please the pageant audience.
"We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage," Prejean said. "And you know what, I think in my country, 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."
Some in the audience cheered, others booed. The answer sparked a shouting match in the lobby after the show.
"It's ugly," said Scott Ihrig, a gay man, who attended the pageant with his partner. "I think it's ridiculous that she got first runner-up. That is not the value of 95 percent of the people in this audience. Look around this audience and tell me how many gay men there are."
Charmaine Koonce, the mother of Miss New Mexico USA Bianca Carla, argued back.
"In the Bible it says marriage is between Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve!"
The pageant had enjoyed a scandal-free year until earlier this month, when Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza was skewered for a blog posting from a trip to Guantanamo Bay. The entry described having "aloooot of fun" at a base that houses the notorious military prison; it was later deleted from the pageant's Web site.
The contest, which is owned by NBC and reality TV mogul Donald Trump, was hosted by "Access Hollywood" co-anchor Billy Bush and Nadine Velazquez of the NBC sitcom "My Name is Earl." This year's judges included "Saturday Night Live" cast member Kenan Thompson, "Dancing with the Stars" winner Kelly Monaco and gossip blogger Perez Hilton.
Miss Wyoming USA Cynthia Pate, of Casper, Wyo., was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. Jessi Pierson, of Milton, W.Va., was voted Miss Photogenic through an online contest on the Miss Universe Web site.
Organizers said Sunday's show kicks off "Green Week" at NBC. As part of the environmental awareness campaign, the Miss USA crown was designed by a jeweler that specializes in conflict-free and eco-friendly jewels. The crown from Diamond Nexus Labs of Franklin, Wis., is worth $202,000.
