Miss California Controversy

I heard a little blip about this on the news the other day, and then a friend told me the whole story of the Miss California controversy. I did a little research into the facts behind the controversy and really feel that the whole thing was unfair. (I hate that word, but its the best way to describe how I feel about it)

At the Miss USA pageant on Sunday night, Miss California was asked a question by one of the judges, Perez Hilton. Immediately after it was revealed that Miss California had drawn Perez's question, one of the commentators said "are we worried?"

Perez's response: "you should be"

And then he delivers his question: "Vermont recently became the 4th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?"

Her response: "I think its great Americans are able to choose one way or another. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. 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, and that's how I think it should be -- between a man and a woman."

Now, I'm not writing this in order to spark a debate over gay marriage. Don't even go there.

The problem I have with this? Perez Hilton. Perez may be more polarizing than Jesse Jackson. So why was he chosen as a judge? Because the pageant owner (Trump) knew he would ask controversial questions which would ensure media coverage and debate.

Secondly, Miss California had no choice but to respond controversially. Had she said that she believes all states should legalize gay marriage, she would have been criticized by conservative groups out there. Her other choice was to state that she did not believe states should legalize gay marriage. And now, of course she is being slaughtered by the media. It was virtually impossible for her to give a middle-ground response.

Shortly after the pageant aired, Perez Hilton posted a video blog. He stated that Miss Prejean's response was "THE worst response in pageant history". He then went on to say that she lost because she was a "dumb bitch". I will give him credit in that he went on to explain what would have been a better answer. But the answer he suggested? It didn't answer the question he had posed. Furthermore, as a judge of the pageant he really should not speak out for or against any of the contestants.

I feel that Miss California was treated unfairly. She was a victim of Trump's love of media-controversy and Perez Hilton's desire to be a #1 you tube or google search. What are your thoughts?