Carrie Prejean is the Real Miss USA

I’m not a fan of beauty pageants. I don’t care about Miss USA, Miss America, Miss 51st State, or Miss Whatever. I appreciate the essence of female beauty like any red-blooded American male, but even that won’t pry eyes my away from the computer screen, a good book, or my attempts to locate South Africa on a map.

There was one exception last night. I was informed my girlfriend (a lovely girl in her own right–yes, she’s probably reading this) that Miss California, one of the leading contestants for this year’s Miss USA, voiced her opinion in favor of traditional one man and one woman marriage (or “opposite” marriage). My interest piqued like you wouldn’t believe. I had to find some video, some story, some anything to see, read, and hear with my own senses. After a few Google searches, I found Miss California’s bio on the Miss Universe website. Carrie Prejean, this year’s Miss California, is a 21-year-old beauty from San Diego whose glam shot graces her splash page. I said to my girlfriend when she first told me about Carrie Prejean that “she’s probably either from San Diego or the OC,” one of the most conservative regions of Southern California. For once, I was right.

These were her exact words to “Miss” Perez Hilton’s politically and morally charged question:

“‘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.’”

She was raised right. In her own awkward way, she voiced the opinion of the majority of Californians. She also stumbled upon courage and won the hearts of millions and only proceeded to alienate the radical Left and their radical gay agenda. Perez Hilton could only shake his head in disgust and refer to Ms. Prejean as a “dumb b****.” On MSNBC with Norah O’Donnell, he took his apology back and went as far as call Ms. Prejean the “c-word” (and I don’t mean “conservative”.) Norah O’Donnell, who you think would be offended at the mere implication of the word, did not even flinch and gave Perez Hilton a free pass. Apparently, the “c-word” is fine for women who run counter to the Left’s political leanings. Perez Hilton, who had less than 2000 followers on Twitter before the controversy, now has 600,000+. The free publicity hasn’t hurt him one bit.

All the while, the co-director of the Miss USA pageant has condemned Ms. Prejean for her opinion:

“‘As co-director of the Miss California USA, I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss California believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman,” said [Keith] Lewis in a statement. “I believe all religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit. I do not believe our government should be able to discriminate against anyone and religious beliefs have no politics in the Miss California family.’”

Keith Lewis voiced an opinion opposite Ms. Prejean. Where are the crazy right-wing wackos on the mainstream media circuit ready to belittle this guy? Certainly not ones with a national audience.

Ms. Prejean, amidst the controversy, stayed true to her position and didn’t retract her statement:

“‘I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I stated an opinion that was true to myself, and that’s all I can do,” she told Billy Bush, who hosted Miss USA, on his radio talk show on Monday.’” She added, “It did cost me my crown,” Prejean continued. “It is a very touchy subject and [Hilton] is a homosexual, and I see where he was coming from and I see the audience would’ve wanted me to be more politically correct. But I was raised in a way that you can never compromise your beliefs and your opinions for anything.’”

Bravo.

My prayer goes out to Ms. Prejean and her family that they remain strong against the tide of the radical gay agenda and the onslaught of one-sided media sympathy. Her humility and sheer guts make me proud to call myself a Californian and forget just for a moment the flood of problems bombarding my once prosperous and beautiful home state. The Left has called her every name and pejorative almost no one deserves, especially to a brave young woman one year my junior. My girlfriend is proud of her. I’m proud of her. And the majority of America is proud of you Ms. Carrie Prejean.

In her interview with Billy Bush on his talk radio show, she said, “‘I feel like I won,” she said. “I feel like I’m the winner. I really do.’”

Carrie, to the world, you are runner-up, but in the hearts and minds of all defenders of values and morality, you are the true Miss USA.