I’m flabbergasted

I don’t know if anyone else has been keeping up with this Miss California thing that happened a few days ago, but Russ and I watch Nancy Grace every night to find out what’s happening with Tot Mom, and then this entertainment show comes on, so I’ve heard more about the Miss California fiasco than I would have ever cared to know. And frankly, I’m flabbergasted.

Basically, at the pageant, one of the judges (I guess he was a judge) asked Miss California what she thought about gay marriage. That was the question, “What do you think?” And she answered and told him what she thought. I guess I should mention that the judge was obviously gay, and Miss America said that she thinks it’s wonderful that we live in a country where people can make choices, but she personally believes that marriage should only be between a man and a woman.

Well!

The judge did not like her answer, not one bit, to say the least. And if I’m understanding this correctly, he later went on his video-blog and called her the “B” word. He accused her of not being politically correct, and even went so far as to suggest that if she didn’t support gay marriage, then what she SHOULD have said was “Blah blah blah, mumbo jumbo I’m totally avoiding giving a real answer to this question.” He would have been happier hearing THAT than hearing her flat out say “I believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman.”

Hello!!!! Did you not ASK her what she thought? And then when she TOLD you what she thought, you blast her and call her a bit-ka? This judge did not really want to hear what she thought, what she believes, unless she happened to believe exactly what he believes! How hypocritical can you get?

When this guy asked this question, he absolutely knew that he was putting the beauty contestant in a big-time lose-lose situation. No matter WHAT she said, someone somewhere was going to be offended. The thinking now is that perhaps Miss California missed getting the crown because of the answer she gave to the gay marriage question. I contend that the moment that loaded question was put to her, there was no way she could win. (If, in fact, contestants’ answers to loaded questions are capable of keeping them from winning.) (Oh. And she was runner-up, I think, so not too bad after all, I would say.)

But anyway! That’s not what I’m flabbergasted about. And I’m also not flabbergasted about her answer, about whether or not she supports or doesn’t support gay marriage. That’s not even the issue, at this point, at least as far as I’m concerned. For me, the issue is this: I’m appalled by the judge! I’m offended by someone who is OFFENDED by an honest answer.

I’m also offended by someone who asks a loaded question, then resorts to the playground tactic of name-calling when things don’t go as he planned. (Miss California’s answer was followed by a generous mixture of both “boo’s” and applause. I don’t think the judge expected or appreciated the applause. I think he was peeved that basically the whole thing blew up in his face.)

Hey! You know what they say: if you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. If you don’t want to hear that there are people who don’t support gay marriage, then DON’T ASK! (To paraphrase a popular saying…Don’t want someone to tell? Then don’t ask!)

As for Miss California, I applaud her. I think she handled the situation with as much poise and charm as she possibly could under the circumstances. She did not “mumbo jumbo” up her answer in hopes of staying in the race for the crown. She did not back down, she firmly stated her own beliefs. And I personally think she did so in the most gracious manner possible, all things considered.

The funny thing about all this, I think, is that the gay judge accused Miss California of being insensitive and politically incorrect, but HIS reaction is the most insensitive and politically incorrect aspect of the whole fiasco.

I could go on. But enough said.