What in the heck happened to the concept of DIVERSITY OF OPINION?

I never thought I would be stooping to the level of defending a Miss USA contest, but I will because it illustrates the mindset we are now seemingly endorsing in our country...that if don't agree with the status quo belief, then you are dogged and eviscerated by popular culture. The latest controversy flareup occurred the other night when Carrie Prejean - Miss California - said she believed that "a marriage should be between a man and a woman." She had been asked for her views on the subject by one of the judges, celebrity gay blogger Perez Hilton.

Ms. Prejean said that "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage," in an interview section of the show. "I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman," she continued. "No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised." The remarks drew a mixture of booing and applause from the audience.

Speaking after the show, which was broadcast on Sunday evening in the US, Ms Prejean said: "I wouldn't have had it any other way. I said what I feel. I stated an opinion that was true to myself and that's all I can do." Hilton said he had been "floored" by Ms Prejean's answer, which, he said, "alienated millions of gay and lesbian Americans, their families and their supporters."

The gay community in the U.S., by the way they are going by wetting their pants when somebody dares to have a contrary opinion, is going to set itself back just as the illegal immigrant Mexican community put itself back and swayed public opinion against them several years ago by parading down the streets of Los Angeles waving Mexican flags and hollering "Si se puede." (On their next protest they quickly switched from paper Mexican flags to the red, white, and blue.)

Our country was built on diversity of ideas and thoughts. No group -- minority or otherwise -- has the right to judge whether someone's views are right or wrong...just accept them and go on. Personally I really don't care about the opinions being expressed by someone who has gained notoriety through YouTube clip rather than doing it the old fashioned way....by EARNING it....