First let me say that I am from North Carolina, so I am very proud that Miss North Carolina won. She is a beautiful girl, inside and out. I did read somewhere that she beat Miss California in the swimsuit and the evening gown competition, so I think to suggest that the only reason Miss California did not win was because of her question, really is not fair to our new Miss USA. They are both very beautiful girls.

 That being said, I applaud Miss California for her decision to be true to herself and answer her question honestly instead of taking the politically correct way out. She may have won higher points for political correctness, but that is a very sad fact. As a parent, I try to teach my kids to "be true to themselves" always. They also, of course are taught to be kind to all. I would think that would be high on the list of qualities in all young ladies in a pagent; maybe I'm wrong but I think it used to be. Miss California was very respectful in her answer. It is a phony outrage that the gay judge is now displaying and admittedly used to score her on the question. It is a political platform that is indeed close to his heart on a personal level, but let's get real folks, her honest and well intentioned answer should not have been viewed by anyone as offensive.

Speaking of offensive; I am offended by this common phony outrage coming from the left. Those on the left very often champion free speach and that is the biggest example of the definition of hypocritcal that I can think of, exept maybe how the women on the left treated Sara Palin. Any way, I for one am sick and tired of having to appologize for the mere mention of my religous beliefs or even the mention of God or Jesus. it's ok in this country to understand that not everyone believes what I believe, but respectful dialogue, in itself, is not insulting or demeaning or offensive in any way. What is offensive is the phony outrage and therfore the implication that free speach is just meant for those on the left. It's phony; we know it, you know it, and you know we know it. Stop it already. There are real issues to debate and we all are entitled to our opinions. My congratulations to Miss California for going as far as she went in that pagent and for being a beautiful person inside and out.