Posted on 05/29/2007 8:29:30 AM PDT by TaxachusettsMan
MEXICO CITY —
It wasn't Miss USA's night.
Booed mercilessly at the Miss Universe pageant by a Mexican audience angry at U.S. immigration policy, and seen by millions of TV viewers as she slipped and fell on the pageant stage, Miss USA Rachel Smith nonetheless managed to take the high road and offer her Spanish-speaking hosts an enthusiastic, "Buenas noches Mexico. Muchas gracias!"
Smith, 22, from Clarksville, Tenn., who was crowned Miss USA last March, was continuously jeered by the mostly Mexican audience during the pageant's interview phase.
The pageant was won by Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, a 20-year-old dancer, marking only the second time her country has won the world beauty title.
Miss USA finished fifth.
Pageant owner Donald Trump downplayed the booing, saying it was aimed at American policies and not Smith.
"We believe it wasn't Rachel being booed but the USA and some of our policies as a country," pageant spokeswoman Lark-Marie Anton told FOXNews.com. "The booing was unfortunate, but Rachel represented the USA with style and grace. She was extremely dignified.
Asked whether the Mexican audience reaction would affect the pageant's return there, Anton said: "The Universe pageant traditionally goes to different countries yearly, so we wouldn't have the pageant in Mexico next year. Mr. Trump also mentioned in last night's press conference the possibility of Japan as a host country for next year."
She added that it would be "drastic" to never have the show in Mexico again because of Monday night's crowd reaction.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
A bit odd, I suppose. But frankly if I’m in Mexico I think I would rather take my own toilet paper.
At the 2007 Miss Universe beauty pageant, Miss USA slipped and hit her bum on the floor.
If Mr. USA, President Bush, hit his bum on the floor, he would no longer be able to think, speak or hear.
Jane Wallace
Sydney, Australia
It's Bush's fault.
Jane Wallace and a few other people in Sydney and thereabouts should be reminded that if it were not for the USA, they’d be speaking Japanese.
Meanwhile, we have them to thank for what . . . Vegemite? Men At Work? Outback Steakhouse?
You couldn’t make it up.
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