Anyone Have a Spare Bucket of Pig's Blood?
A transcript...
Perez Hilton: Vermont recently became the forth state to legalize same sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not? (A tricky question, a basket of asps Obama doesn't like to touch, but still she might be able to finesse an articulate response. Mightn't she? She is a resident of left-leaning California after all.)
Carrie Prejean, Miss California: Well, I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. (Confuse me, when was this choice made available?) Um, we live in a land that you can choose same sex marriage or opposite marriage. (The dreaded opposite marriage.) And, you know what, in my country (Huh?) and in (She does a slight Porky Pig stutter. Find your thought. Find it.) in my family I think that I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. (And "I think that I believe that" you found your thought.) No offense to anyone out there. (Great offence to how you're butchering the English language.) But that's how I was raised and that's how I think that it should be, between a man and a woman. Thank you. (Amen. God Bless America. Give that woman a baby to kiss and an assault weapon to autograph.)
Later on Fox News she said:
"This happened for a reason. By having to answer that question in front of a national audience, God was testing my character and faith. I'm glad I stayed true to myself."
Then we spiral out of control. The blogista Perez Hilton calls Missy C a dumb bitch, then apologizes, then recants the apology, then calls her a B again and to drive his point home, he calls her a C (not a Californian) and all on national TV. Carrie Prejean takes a different tact. On TV she says she feels sorry for Perez, says she will pray for him, and goes on to expound that she was only sharing her opinion.
Okay, then, my opinion... Perez, dude, you went way over the top. I'm all for the cause, but she's like eighteen or something, a child basically, and you're the one doing the name calling.
And Carrie, my inarticulate beauty, you're right to have your opinions. But you must realize that what you believe, or what I believe for that matter, should not have any bearing on our Supreme Court's decision. This is a civil rights issue, not a religious one. The Bible or the Torah or the Qur'an or Watership Down or Frankenstein or Goodnight Moon cannot be a part of this argument. We're talking equal rights, not beliefs. Because the God you so revere, who tells you gay marriage is wrong and opposite marriage is right, conflicts with the God who sanctified my husband's and my marriage in His church. Religion has to stay out of the final argument.
Now consider the following: "All marriages of white persons with negroes or mulattoes [shall be] declared to be illegal and void." This was put into our state's law in 1850. It was written by those who had strong opinions. Those who let their personal discomfort rule over protecting Californian's civil rights. In 2009, banning interracial marriage seems ludicrous. However, this law was in effect for almost one hundred years. It wasn't overturned until 1948.
Yes. Opinions. Opinions can hurt. Opinions have power. Opinions can splinter and distance. As you go further into adulthood, I hope you will become more diplomatic and take other's opinions into account, as well as your own. Mr. Hilton was wrong with his name calling, but his volcanic anger was justified. By staying true to yourself, your answer was a big fat loogie in the face of many of your fans. Perez is still wiping it off, believe me. Now, I did not attend the event, but there is no way you looked as beautiful as you did without a gaggle of gay men working you head to toe. Likewise, think of the lesbians who helped hang the lights, build the stage, make the extra trips to Home Depot. You spurned the very brothers and sisters who helped to make your night almost a complete success, Miss First Runner Up.
And I realize this is not totally your fault. You have been conditioned by your community, your family, your church, but now it's time now to open your eyes. Learn to be judicious, because next time you speak with complete disregard I will not be able 
to defend you with the youth card. And maybe when you're getting your tan sprayed on, or when your Christian boobs are being glued into your dress, or as you saunter center stage in your evening gown, someone you disrespected might just have a bucket of pig's blood handy. And darling, red is not your color.
Comments
Bravo. I would have given YOU the damn crown.
I mean, I've been drawing badly done comments on pictures since I was eight and I never got a career out of it.
But I'm sure it was a debate worthy of Crossfire.
Vermont Rockz!
Here via Vodka Mom.
I'm a Roman Catholic and I know what the church teaches. I was raised by a very devout mother.
My mother, who prays her rosary every evening and is very active in her church, called me when she found out that Ellen Degeneres was getting married. She was so happy for her. You see, my mother is a good person. She believes that we are suppose to love one another. That's ultimately what God calls us to do. The conflict between my mother's faith and happiness she wants for a woman she has never met are my mom's issues. If Perez Hilton asked my mom about gay marriage she would have to say that her religion prevents her from supporting it. But that does not mean she would not want everyone to find happiness in marriage.
Neither my mom nor I would vote against gay marriage but we cannot vote for it. That is our personal conflict.
I hope that I do not offend you with these words. That was not my intention.
-Kyleen
Great post.
But I love her. Nice to meet you. And I voted for you. I have the same little badge on my blog; different category so it's ok, i won't have to kill you afterwards. And you're a parent. And nice. Which seems like good reasons not to kill you, so that's a relief.
OK the medication is workin'...caio for now...
Your arguments were the best and I agree with everything that you wrote.
My first visit, coming from MartiniMom. I will be back because you rock
I do wonder though, don't you think this is an inappropriate place for this to play out? It's a pageant fer' Chris'sake! Can we get back to "I want world peace."
Perez...way out of line, and he so didn't help the cause by acting ignorant himself.
For the record...I was raised Catholic. My best friend is gay. I am pro gay marriage. But I'm not going to brawl with 18 year old Miss Whomever over it;)
great post, i'm going to nominate you for Five Star Friday!
I never realized how many homophobes there were, until I came out.
Perez was wrong to be so snooty. But, there's one everywhere. It's almost like you're dammed if you do, and dammed if you dont.
Now in 2009 She is being lynched in the media for saying the exact opposite.
I'll quote Voltaire:
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
Well done!
Going on my feedreader! :)
These two need to just let it go and move on. Her beliefs are HER beliefs and the rest of us don't have to follow suit. I sure don't.
There are some other articles I would love to have you write commentary on! hehehe
nice post!
And, speaking of civil...this IS about civil rights and it saddens and sickens me that this country isn't yet beyond denying basic civil rights to its citizens because the "moral" right doesn't deem them worthy to be granted such. There are no qualifiers in our founding documents. They specifically say that ALL citizens of this country have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Okay, there. You've gone and done it. You've lit the fire and now I must go put myself out.
I am and always will be for gay marriage...I am for love and it comes in all forms...I am disgusted by some of the arguments against gay marriage...
BTW...why or why is PH judging anything...and how on earth did he become the voice of gay americans...ugh...that guy needs to have his internet completely disconnected...
I hope I didn't overstep...I would love to come back and read more!!
Just the kind of post that will inspire me to return...
...along with that swingset/Jody crush post. That one was just as awesome.
:-)
I am IB, friend of VodkaMom (aka Braja). I am enjoying your blog and have added you to my roll.
I will be back (or VM says she'll kick my ass)
Waiting for the day when my daughter and her partner can marry...hopefully, before their kids are completely grown.
I did. I came back to tell you that I voted for you.
She is a kid that learnt her lesson I am sure and will go on to bigger and better things the more she sees of the world. Gosh knows how I would have answered this question at 18 either. Obviously whoever was priming these kids up didnt expect the question. It wouldnt have been appropriate for a Miss USA to publically air despite her personal views (and she still is allowed those).
On the other hand, Perez Hilton knows how to work publicity and is milking this for all he can. I am sorry that he has been mainstreamed the way he has because of his belittlng of those in the public eye. Wonder if his opinions hurt Hollywood stars too. Or are they so rich it doesnt count.
It comes down to one thing. RESPECT. FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL. Beauty Queens included.
My parents and I go round and round about this - it is NOT a religious issue; those freaks can believe whatever the hell they want. They don't have to come over to your house for a pot luck (and I kinda don't think you'd invite them, frankly, they're my parents and I love them..but they can be BORING!)
I'm not even sure why the hell this is a debate? Divorce is just as much an abomination for most relgions (read, mine - I barely know stuff about the others, but pretend to do so - work with me here). The gov't should stay the hell out of it - I'm actually confused why they CARE? or why it ever became a debate?
Of course this is about religion for those whose faith dictate it.
A large religious group in CA decided to oppose gay marriage. It was their right to do so. As it is the right for others to be for marriage regardless of sexual preference.
If you want to change the constitution of your state, work for that change. For that matter, work to add an amendment to the US Constitution regarding marriage.
I won't stop you, no matter what my religious belief. What I will do is pray for guidance, to help me with my conflict.
Kyleen
Oh well, hopefully lots of people on the sanity fence heard how ridiculous she sounded and are rethinking things now.
http://tinyurl.com/dlqqfu Oh yeah vodkamom sent me :-D
You said it all - it is a civil rights issue and not a religious issue. She is entitled to voice her opinion and I, too, would defend her right to do so, no matter how strongly I disagree. But...her reasoning is flawed and shows a gross misunderstanding of the foundation of law in our nation.
Anyway, you said it, beautifully and with humor. I enjoyed every word.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. And I REALLY appreciate your level-headed response on your "side" of the issue, because I haven't seen it so much. The loud & rude commentators on both sides seem to get center stage.
I also appreciate that you cut this girl a little slack for her age. I could stand up & be articulate today, age 30. And when I am 40 I'll be even more articulate. But when I was 18? I was scared shitless to even speak, much less in front of millions of strangers. I would have butchered anything at that age in her situation, especially such an unexpected and touchy question.
In the name of religion many, many hateful atrocities have been committed throughout time. Christians find it so easy to forget that we are first of all called to love, above all other things.
Whatever I believe about all this, I also hold firm to my belief that the government & all things civil absolutely MUST be separate from religion. Absolutely. It is the ONLY way we can all continue to live freely and worship as we choose, believe as we choose.
Whenever someone says, "allowing gays to marry destroys the meaning of marriage," I want to respond,
"if you want to preserve marriage, make it MUCH harder to break up a marriage, so that people will not enter into it so lightly, and will try a little harder to make it work. THAT will make marriage stronger."
Marriage in our country is a joke to most people. If I were in your position I would want to redefine marriage, too. I wouldn't want what currently passes for marriage here.
Thank you for pointing out that Miss C IS just a child, and a product of her raising; it's a shame this will haunt her forever, but we all pay for the misteps we take as young people who know no better.
My BFF is a lesbian, and if anyone tried to trample her rights in front of me I'd sure as hell have something to say about it. But you've said it all better than I ever could. Cudos.
Best wishes
Darek Wish