Does the “B” stand for “bigot”?

So Miss California didn’t win the Miss U.S.A. pageant. And do you know why? It’s because she failed to be politically correct!

Perez Hilton:  Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?

Miss California:  Well, I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. Um, we live in a land that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage.  And you know what, in my country, and 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 and that’s how I think that it should be, between a man and a woman.

(And “opposite marriage”? LOL)

I speak languages other than racismese, although probably not as well. Here’s my shot. Please feel free to chime in:

First off, it strikes me that she was trying to moderate her response despite her lack of knowledge about the subject.  In actual practice, Americans aren’t freely able to “choose one or the other.”  You may desire to choose same-sex marriage but for the most part your marriage won’t be recognized.

She also uses some other softening techniques:  “I think that I believe” and “no offense to anybody out there.”

I think it’s fine that somebody believes that in their family, marriage should be between a man and a woman.  Although I would warn people that typically in their family, there’s going to be at least one GLBT person.  Maybe it would be a little better to pronounce yourself a heterosexual that chooses same-sex marriage instead of speaking for your family.

But speaking for your country?  “My” country?  As if you are speaking to a bunch of people who don’t belong?  I’m not sure I like that.

“No offense to anybody” is one of those prefaces that pretty much assures an asshole statement is going to follow.  It’s similar to “This may not be politically correct, but …”  That is, it is an acknowledgment that the statement following it is going to be offensive, but who cares!  I’m going to say it anyway!  In this manner, you can see that homophobia-ese shares many of the same grammatical structures as in racismese.

“That’s how I was raised” is also a terrible defense of a bigoted statement.  Hilton asked her to include “why or why not” the remaining states should legalize same-sex marriage.  Her response is a defense of institutionalized homophobia based on tradition.  Or the bible.  Or something.  Again, we see the similarities to racismese.  People often say that something racist cannot be done away because it’s “tradition.”  In interviews, Miss California was quoted as saying that her answer may not be politically correct, but it was biblically correct. Ah!  Gotcha!

So she isn’t giving a reasoned response to the question.  She’s basically just saying Because I think so!  And the bible too!  So there!

Wonder if she is going to agree to “obey” when she enters into her opposite marriage.  (Opposite … do you think that means she’ll marry somebody with a brain?)

Finally, in interviews she has said that she feels sorry for and is praying for Perez Hilton.

Okay, is it just me or does the sentiment “I’m praying for you” in this type of situation strike you as insulting?  It reminds me of that old joke about the southern belle who says, “How niiiice!” to others who are acting in annoying ways.  She explains that before she went to charm school, she used to use choice epithets.  Then she learned how to say, “How niiice!”

So everybody, please join me in a round of prayer for Miss California, since we undoubtedly all feel sorry for her.  How nice!

Edited because more cowbell pointed out I cannot reed or rite.  ;-P

Edited to add:  Ha ha!  She also says that her sister is a gay rights activist in the military!  Guess she doesn’t have any best friends.  But in a later interview she hastened to say her sister is NOT gay.  No she’s not!  She’s not!