Her comments may have been "commonsense" to people who are not adversely affected by their gentle poison, sweet hatred, and polite ignorance. Well, I just don't won't to go to school with those people, it just ain't right. Next thing you know, they'll want to move into our neighborhood. I pay taxes like everyone else, and should be treated equally by the government who collects and dispenses my tax dollars. If you don't believe in gay marriage, don't marry a gay person. If you don't believe in equal treatment under the law, move to a country that does not have a Constitution for the people and by the people. We, too, are the people.

Carrie Prejean -- Miss California -- said, "I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other ... same sex marriage or opposite marriage," then added, "I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman . . . that's how I was raised." "

--------------------------------

This part of her answer was very prescient indeed. Marriage equality is coming to California very soon (and eventually to the rest of the US). The younger generation knows it and does not object to it much as a matter of civil law even when their personal religious opinion is different. Although she did not articulate the concept very well, it's fairly clear that she is separating civil marriage law from her personal viewpoint on religious marriage. She's suggesting that the two concepts are distinct and can co-exist quite peacefully. In this regard, she is a very enlightened young lady.

Athena,

You are hopelessly naive if you think that gutless coward asked her that question to see how "she would think on her feet".

He/she (Perez Hilton) is completely within his/her own right to disagree with the answer that was given. But to berate and curse an individual like that because they have a different view is childish and intolerable.

If I was Trump, I'd give Hilton a pink slip and wish him/her all the best.

Wapo23,

"Bauer and his buddies are nothing but annoying little imps who will continue to be crushed under foot as more and more Americans.."

Should have read, "Bauer and his buddies, including President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary of State Clinton, are nothing but..."

Re: Bauer and others referring to Proposition 8.

The use of "majority" is so totally misleading. A 2% difference on the issue of gay marriage -- something they call a "radial departure" from "traditional Christian values" that will "destroy the bedrock of society" -- 2% just does not sound like any kind of a solid majority to me -- 49% versus 51%, folks. The difference is not insignificant at the ballot box. But, very much like the "50%+1" methodology used by Bush and Rove, the backlash against the underhanded tactics used by religious-based political organizations in California is going to be SEVERE.

If they consider Proposition 8 a victory, it's a loss that the other half of the population of California still considers very wrong and immensely unfair. At best, Proposition 8 is a temporary set back for equal treatment under the law for gay men and women.

Keep your chins up folks, Bauer and his buddies are nothing but annoying little imps who will continue to be crushed under foot as more and more Americans -- everyday citizens: neighbors, friends, families, and total strangers -- march together down this long, hostile road toward a shining belief in true freedom and equality for all of America's children.

When one is making an argument, especially in front of a panel of judges, it helps if you are coherent. I saw the clip of Miss California stumbling her way through the question. She was incoherent and frankly, embarrassed herself. The reason why they ask those questions is not to judge how politically correct a contestant is, but how well they can think on their feet. Ms. Prejean failed in that respect. Whining about discrimination isn't going to make it better. It's just going to get her a job on FOX News.

Robert_B1,

Glad you liked the comment.

Regards.

A deserving loss.

Bauer said the reaction: "The backlash to (Miss California's) commonsense comments demonstrates the naked intolerance of the militant homosexual movement"

How about your naked intolerance Bauer?

Intolerance is ridiculous isnt it? You just shut yourself down. Well done.

When you can't call a queer, a queer, then something is wrong in America. It is perfectly alright to call me every name in the book for using the word queer, but I can't use it because it rubs someone the wrong way. Tough!

Notice that this article didn't mention what Perez Hilton called Miss Prejean on a YouTube video rant following the pageant. He called her a "dumb b****". The following morning he apologized but later retracted that apology and on Tuesday told an MSNBC female anchor that, as he listened to Prejean's answer, he was thinking of an even more vulgar epithet -- the "c-word"

Ask a question; get an honest answer that you don't like and go into a rage. On what side is the Hate?

I've got no problem with gay marriage. But I consider our 1st amendment freedoms to say whatever we want, even if its not well stated, to be paramount in our Constitution.

She gave a position that was her sincere belief. She should be judged by her ability to articulate her opinion not on whether its PC in California.

As for Perez Hilton he has right to his ideas also. Nevertheless at this point I have to give her credit for not losing her cool and can't really take him seriously for losing his.

Besides she's got a nice rack!

Look, the Social Nazis have gotten their just desserts. You ask someone their opinion? Don't be surprised if you get it, and even less surprised if you don't like it. You don't want to hear anything that you don't like? Stay at home and turn off all media. When the only valid opinions are those of the people asking the questions, that is what we call the Land of the UnFree. You want a parrot, buy one.

Hey, Christianists: stop acting like you're the victims. It's really annoying and is probably the reason why your ranks are dwindling. No one likes a whiner.

Here's the problem: Any nutjob in this country can claim whatever he/she wants so long as it's in the Bible. What if Miss California said she believes in slavery? It's in the Bible, so she is free to believe it with all her heart. Do you think, however, that any judge wouldn't take it as a serious sign of stupidity?

My point is that Miss California and her kind are on the wrong side of history. Their views will eventually be as unacceptable as those opposing interracial marriage.

"Hate crime?" Oh give me a break! She lost the contest. Where's the crime?

I am inclined to disagree with Prejean, but don't we live by the principle that one is entitled to one's opinions? Perez knew exactly what he was doing; is it coincidental that she is from California? A contestant should be judged on how well they express their opinion, not its content.

Why am I limited to marrying just one woman, or only one man? This discriminatory practice of state sanctioned Mono-Marriage is clearly a violation of my rights, and anyone who disagrees is a small minded bigot--not a reasonable progressive like me.

"No one is stopping a homosexual man from getting married, you just have to marry a woman, just like the rest of the men in the world have done throughout history."

Agreed.

Of course, it must be a person of the same race as well.

And, we must be allowed to marry within our immediate / first generation family.

We should also get rid of our Constitution and return to a monarch system of ruling.

Sound ridiculous yet? Fortunately, our intelligence as human beings allows us to learn and adapt from history.

Correction from the article:
"So it should come as no shock that Miss California would answer that she opposed "opposite marriage"."

She actually does not oppose opposite marriage, she supports it.
The reason she failed in her answer, besides referring to heterosexual marriage as "opposite" was her statement that "I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other ... same sex marriage or opposite marriage,". In fact most Americans cannot choose, including in her own state of California, so she was just plainly wrong.
The part about her personal belief that marriage is between a man and a woman because that is how she was raised is perfectly innocent and many hold that view.

Dr. King wrote " "I am sure that none of you would want to rest content with the superficial kind of social analysis that deals merely with effects and does not grapple with underlying causes." "Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection." While Ms. California has an absolute right to her beliefs, Paris should not have allowed his "Personal" leaning to become a deciding factor as a judge for this contest! Mr. Trump love a good fight, they result in good rating, not good public policy!.

Thank "GOD!" for Real "AMERICAN" California Girls who are supposed to be protected by the "BILL OF RIGHTS" not the "Bill of Reichs!" regardless of their sexual orientation.

A very close friend of mine once asked me why I was "So cool" about her being a "Hard-core Dike(her words, not mine)?" I replied, "Well, suppose the Government passed a law forcing heterosexuals to be homosexuals or else? I wouldn't like it or obey it. You should be "FREE" to live your own life according to your wants and needs, not mine."

There is no hate-crime here! If you ask for an "OPINION," then deal with it!

**
You should have ask a real person with real views of equality for all, Ellen DeGeneres, who has intelligently said it best: "Love comes in lots of different forms," ... "I am flabbergasted by the fact that we're still trying to fight. I am not trying to fight for gay rights - I am trying to fight for equal rights" a quote from Ellen DeGeneres

If all the Gay Community dropped the "gay rights" and moved out of the box and started using the words "equal rights", then you will feel more accepted in the world.

The root of homophobia comes from homosexuals themselves. Instead of building walls around yourselves, knock them down and reach out to EVERYONE..EQUAL RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE.
**

Many thanks, Adolf Hilton!

- Ernie Leblanc

OOPS! I've got to run and hide as the "THOUGHT POLICE(Heterosexual Exterminators)" will be coming for me.

If the thought of gay sex bothers people, then we SHOULD be promoting marriage. After all, nothing kills the sex drive faster.

I don't think she lost because of her views on same-sex marriage. I think she lost because she clearly has an extra 5 lbs. on her hips (clearly visible in the swimsuit competition), her eyes were too far apart, her hair doesn't look authentically "natural." Plus, her shade of gloss made her lips look too puffy.

Well, isn't this the criteria we're SUPPOSED to judge her on? Is this somehow better than judging her on her politics?

In graduate school I soon learned that our homosexual professors were extremely intolerant of any views but their own. They were often passive-aggressive in their grading practices. Those students that towed the line and agreed with these professors got high marks and those who politely disagreed got low marks.
It is clear that Miss California experienced this type of discrimination because she politely voiced her view which is the historical standard for marriage.
In America we are entitled to "free speech" - in doing so we often pay the consequences.

The pageant invited this kind of controversy in selecting Hilton as a judge; he clearly has issues which he thinks are more important than the Miss USA contest.

But these are all private individuals participating in a privately-run contest; it may have something to do with God in Culture but not God in Government. Bauer wants the conservative Christian base to think so, because you get contributions from scaring people.

I don't think the state has any business deciding who can or can't get married, and so I have no problems with Prejean's simple and honest statement of her beliefs. If she said her beliefs should control law and government, that I would challenge.

Norrie --

I just wanted to take a second to say that your comment on the Vermont legislature vote on the Miss America pageant made my day!

:)

No one is stopping a homosexual man from getting married, you just have to marry a woman, just like the rest of the men in the world have done throughout history.

Globalone,

Spare me your blithering stupidity and learn to read. Did I say anything about censorship? No. So why bring up the 1st Amendment?

Freedom of speech is not the same as freedom from consequences of speech. If I was being interviewed for a job and said that all managers should be boiled alive, I probably wouldn't get the job. Homophobic bigots who think that gay people somehow deserve less than straight people, and say so, shouldn't be surprised when they have to pay for their bigotry.

This Prejean character paid for her bigotry-lite (and for her I have no sympathy), and Perez Hilton pays for his harshness by being criticized by people like you. But you don't see him whining that the bigots are being unfair to him. He doesn't care what homophobes think and he's man enough to stand by his words.

cashndc wrote: America has been divided enough for years, as we go forth to work on building new relations we do not need a Cause Group trying to force their life style on the rest of us.
===================================
How exactly do same sex couples "force" their lifestyle on you?

CashNDC is right on! I dont think it can be stated any better or more civil.

I don't agree with her on the issue, but Ms. Prejean stated her position clearly and with conviction. She did not deserve to be vilified on the web by some D-list celebrity judge.

As for the ever-entertaining Mr. Bauer, apparently there is no over-the-top statement that's too ridiculous for him.

She was not unfairly judged when are going to get it religion and politics is seperate. She wanted to be the newly crowned queen but she has to be for all not just of her chosing.Another phony self-rigteous one bites the dust yae!!! As for Perez tke him for what he is worth nothing

It is appearing more and more now that Straight Heterosexual People are being the ones who are facing Discrimination. With the Miss USA Contest and now with the District of Columbia Council Members. The Debate over Gay Marriage will divide Americans as a whole. What most don't understand is some People hold values very dear to them. Whether or not we take religion into play, however "Freedom of Speech" covers Americans and allows them to believe whatever they choose.

I for one believe that Marriage is between a Man and Woman, no matter what the Gay movement thinks they can never be fruitful and multiply truly in Gods eyes. But that's my point of view! Unlike the Gay Community I'm not trying to force my feelings down everyone's throat too! What they should do is accept the "Civil Union" which would give them the same power as marriage, and leave the word Marriage between a Man and a Woman.

America has been divided enough for years, as we go forth to work on building new relations we do not need a Cause Group trying to force their life style on the rest of us. As well, if the DC Council is serious on pushing this through I am ready to start a lawsuit to prevent Gay Marriages unless its done by the Citizens of the District voting it in on the Ballots!

If Miss California had said "I believe in same sex marriage in all 50 states"...

and had received a POSITIVE vote from Mr. Hilton and won the pageant...

These same folks would have still blasted Mr. Hilton...

But, no way would they have applauded her for taking a position on an issue...

To the writer, Ms. Salmon, I think "opposite" marriage was actually a reference to traditional, heterosexual marriage if taken in context. She was nervous, and to a nervous person, "opposite" is the opposite of same-sex marriage. Get it? Opposite-same...same-opposite. You could tell she was nervous when she started talking about "in my country" in a Miss USA pageant. I still give her kudos for being brutally honest. And kudos to the audience for erupting into applause for not giving a PC answer.

Yes, the Vermont General Assembly took care of the gay marriage issue this year.

The same legislature also took care of the Miss America / Miss USA foolishness in the 1970's when I was a member of that body.

As was then its custom in every state, the Miss America organization got a legislator to introduce a resolution extolling the virtues of the Miss America Pageant.

In every prior year that resolution had passed unanimously on a voice vote without debate.

That year, however, a young Representative rose and said:

"Mr. Speaker, the Miss America Pageant is no better than a cattle show, so I move that the resolution be referred to the Committee on Agriculture."

The vote was called immediately and the House, used to the forever-precedent of automatically voice-voting "yes" on the Miss America Resolution, voted "yes" on the motion and sent the resolution to the Ag Committee, from which it did not emerge during that session.

Also, the Miss America - Miss USA Resolution was never again introduced into the Vermont legislature.

Go, Vermont!

I"m soooo tired of this gay marriage thing. I find it amusing how the truth can be twisted in so many different ways none of which is absolutely correct. There is no right or wrong answer to the question and her opinion matters much less the the GAY POWERQUEEN who's judging the election. Hence, I believe this qualifies as someone using their power to discriminate against someone else.

Unfortunately what we see today is the so called equal rights groups don't believe in equal rights when they get what and where they want to be. Again, G&L behavior is a fringe group that has occupied and wasted too much of the country's time.

Unfortunately if they won't just go away please act in the manner you expect others to act.

I think the real question is why they ask beauty pageant contestants questions at all. We're picking the prettiest one, not the smartest, and what these models "think" about things is supremely unimportant.

RFK,

You couldn't be more wrong.

Personally, I don't care what she said. The fact that she didn't recoil in fear (like so many of our politicians) and run away from the question is refreshing to say the least.

Exactly what are we supposed to learn about someone if they pass on every question and only offer "world peace" as an insight to who they are?

And, by the way, state and federal courts don't just sit in a back alley somewhere and think up rules of law. They hear "findings of facts" from both sides of the argument. They read countless briefs written by interested parties to support a decision one way or the other. They discuss historical arguments made by parties in similar situations.

Our laws are fluid because people fight for what they believe in. Slavery wasn't ended because Americans sat at home with their mouth shut and hoped for the right outcome.

If you want to live in a place where the people's voice is not heard and laws/decisions are made without our consent, I suggest you move to France.

Maroba,

You know what's mildly amusing about the whole "opposite marriage" issue? That the hate and disgust is always targeted at Christians, or other religious groups.

You never hear the same people call out President Obama or Vice President Biden. You never hear anger or hostility being thrown in the direction of Secretary of State Clinton. (All of whom have spoken out against "opposite" marriages).

Apparently, if you have a (D) after your name or consider yourself to be a liberal, you're exempt from having to defend yourself in regards to this issue.

Bigbrother,

This isn't about sympathy for someone (or a group of people) whom you apparently disagree with.

It's about restraint and responsibility in regards to the 1st amendment. Perhaps you've heard of it?

One of the many reasons why this country is so great is because of the freedom we enjoy to express our views. The gutless coward, Perez Hilton, certainly enjoys those rights as well.

But whiny, foul mouthed drivel from someone in his position is completely uncalled for. Is it against the law? Of course not. But is that what we strive to be? Is this where Enlightenment and the Myth of Progress have taken us?

"If the rule you followed brought you to this, of what use was the rule?"

Quoting CNY-DC: "Suppose Miss California said, "I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other ... same race marriage or mixed race marriage," then added, "I believe that marriage should be between people of the same race . . . that's how I was raised."

Even if she'd said that, she still would have had a right to say it. We in this nation all have a right to hold our own opinions and to express them. Whether or not we agree with one another makes no difference to that basic fact. The anti-opinions-of-your-own lobby is really getting nervy to suggest otherwise.

Both have the individual right to believe and say what they believe. Perez Hilton apparently does not believe that Ms. Prejean has such a right.

Now what is the problem here? I think it is a Perez Hilton that does not understand the concept of freedom of thought and speech.

I think Miss California lost because her eyes are too far apart.

And the fact that evangelical Christians are participating in these vanity contests seem highly hypocritical to me.

When the anti-gay bigots start getting beaten and killed for their beliefs, then I'll start having a tiny bit of sympathy for them. Until then, not a shred.

If they can't take responsibility for their hateful (or, at best, mindless) words then they should keep their mouths shut.

Whether you lean to the right or to the left insofar as same sex marriages are concerned is a matter of opinion. Each person is entitled to an opinion in our society.

However, when it comes to facts, well, facts are facts. From the beginning of time, marriage has been and still is a union between man and woman that usually results in procreation, children being the result. If two men or two women decide they want a “marriage”, it just factually cannot be. They can make a commitment to one another, enter into an agreement, love one another, but calling it “marriage” does not make it a marriage.

If one’s opinion is to accept same sex commitments, so be it. If one’s opinion is not to accept same sex commitments, so be it, also. Let’s allow each other to have opinions and get past the bashing of one another when our opinions aren’t in total agreement.

put perez in california jail so he can be married to the whole prison population.......he will be dancing the nutcracker sweet

A pretty Christian girl claiming she is a martyr because she didn't win Miss America. And the Christian fundamentalists using this as a propoganda tool. The anti-gay crowd has totally, utterly jumped the shark.

Oh please...these contests have become such an anachronism. Does anybody really care what these people think? I guess only if it causes a hissy-fit in the Christian conservative community which thinks everytime someone sneezes in their direction they are declaring war on them.

Perez should also have refrained from the diatribe he launched at her in his own blog. People should refrain from accepting positions on such events who cannot accept that a perfectly suitable candidate for the totally silly title of "Miss USA" might hold a viewpoint on a controversial subject which is different than theirs. Asking her that question was asking her to speak her mind. Expecting that she would agree with him was out of line.

She also should have refrained from taking a stand publicly as she was being considered for a role which would have her answering similar questions from equally opinionated individuals. She should have tactfully responded that the matter was being decided appropriately for the US in the legislatures and courts and we can wait and see and support that process as Americans.

Both chose instead to be advocates and both are suffering for it. I concur with the lady. It probably did cost her the title she sought because the Miss USA judges felt she would, if the winner, be speaking for that organization which did not wish to take a position with which they wished to remain neutral. She simply forgot that she was running for the office of spokes person and the first rule of one who holds such an office is not to say anything that your organization does not agree with.

Perez should simply remember, if he is ever offered a similar job again, he is there to judge on the criteria set by the sponsoring organization, not his personal agenda.

Since when did expressing one's personal opinion against gay marriage become "un-politically correct"? The majority of Californians oppose it. Hell, even Obama personally opposes it. The politically correct police need to just chill out for a bit.

While I feel for Miss California and regret the backlash she has received from the left, if her answer to the question did in fact cause her to lose points, it's probably because she was about as articulate as a 3-year old as she stumbled through her answer. "Opposite marriage" -- now that's funny.

But Perez Hilton is a rude obnoxious joke, and his attack of her after the contest was highly unprofessional as someone who's supposed to be an objective contest judge. Despite his friendship with Donald Trump, I doubt he'll be asked to be a judge again.

Gotta admit when I watch these pageants, sexual abstinence before marriage is the last thing on my mind.

Suppose Miss California said, "I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other ... same race marriage or mixed race marriage," then added, "I believe that marriage should be between people of the same race . . . that's how I was raised."

Thanks goodness society is condemning this new form of bigotry against homosexuals, just as we condemn racist statements. Twenty years from now, we will look back and wonder what all the controversy was about.

What on Earth was supposed to be the problem? The amazing thing is that an evangelical Christian even said that it was a positive thing that gays could choose marriage (clueless because they mostly can't, but positive).

What a lost opportunity for those who support gay marriage: here you have a relatively famous young evangelical who says that even though she personally doesn't think it right, that people should be able to choose for themselves. Pin a medal on her, embrace her, say look at this, young pretty Christian embraces gay marriage publicly.

look, i'm as pro-marriage as any mid-30s bachelor can be (roughly speaking, if you want to get married, you go right ahead, have fun with that) and I don't have a problem with what Ms. Prejean said. (I do have a problem with taking a contest that includes Judge Perez Hilton seriously, however). She was wrong (Americans can't choose, outside of MA, IA, CT and VT) but the gist was fine, basically, "it's not my thing, but this is America and people should be able to choose" if she did, in fact, drop points in the competition, then it's even more of a joke than you'd think. her position is actually farther towards acceptance than the 51% of her state who voted last november.