Why does Miss America still exist?

Los Angeles Times ^ | January 26, 2009 | Richard Abowitz

[Zakeet]

The Miss America contest is stupid and dated and we crowned a new winner in Vegas on Saturday night.

One of the big surprises to me the last couple of years has been the relocation of the Miss America pageant to Vegas. Why would you bring this antiquated event -- an Atlantic City tradition that had seemingly run its course there -- to Vegas? Vegas aspires not only to be hipper than Atlantic City, but also wants to be a city with a relevance to the 21st century. (And anyway, swimsuit competitions made much more sense near an ocean.)

Miss America is even sexist in a dated way; try comparing the contestants' stage outfits to the cocktail servers' uniforms at host resort Planet Hollywood. I know that Miss America is a scholarship organization, but there has to be a better way to grant money to young ladies to go to school. Besides, leading scholarship drives is not why Vegas hosts events.

Regardless, each year now the Miss America contestants descend on Vegas with their chaperons and rules out of another era. Prospective Miss America contestants don't party, the winner this year thinks President Obama needs to quit smoking at once, and certainly the contestants don't drink or gamble, and generally their handlers speak rather condescendingly of all the major pastimes that keep the lights on in Vegas. So we promote Vegas with a contest that wants to project an image that has nothing to do with the business of Las Vegas?

[Zakeet]

Miss America is sexist because it excludes people of intellect and character like me.

[ArrogantBustard]

I give 10:1 odds that Richard Abowitz is a veteran of many years in the Rump Ranger Battalion.

[exist]

The winner this year happened to be kind of hot. But usually the finalists are very average. I see hotter chicks at the mall. Or in porn.

[Always Right]

A girl from Indiana finally won! The only people who care that the pagent is sexy, are ugly women.

[wolfcreek]

Not the most attractive Miss America, either.

[ThomasThomas]

Free market

[Scythian]

They should have a “Ms Sexy Housewife” contest ... That would be far more interesting ...

[Anti-Bubba182]

He has no shot and it drives him wild.

[SuziQ]

"Besides, leading scholarship drives is not why Vegas hosts events."

Vegas hosts events for one purpose only; to make money. When hosting the Miss America Pageant STOPS making money, Vegas won't host it anymore.

[jeffc]

I suppose Mr. Abowitz could ask the girls why they compete in such a contest, but that might tax him beyond his capacity, anot to mention provide him with valuable insight into what others think.
Oh wait! Mr. Abowitz writes like a liberal all thinking people feel like he does), so he doesn't care what others think, but he has to make sure you know how he feels.

[Paladin2]

"aspires not only to be hipper"

Speaking of hipper, did you see Ms. HI dance?

[LZ_Bayonet]

"Why does Miss America still exist?"

It's still a somewhat free country, though it won't be for long if the LA Times has anything to say about it.

[Falconspeed]

LA Times is worthless except for its Sports section. Miss America rocks!

[Longdriver]

They'll need to change the lyrics:


There she is, Miss America
There she is, your ideal
The dreams of a million girls
Who are more than pretty
May come true in Atlantic City
Oh she may turn out to be
The queen of femininity
There she is, Miss America
There she is, your ideal
With so many beauties
She'll take the town by storm
With her all-American face and form
And there she is
Walking on air she is
Fairest of the fair she is
Miss America

[tx_eggman]

Why Does Miss America Still Exist

So I can see the 2008 winner, Kirsten Haglund, online:

Oh, and ....

Not Guilty!

[Republic of Texas]

Because she’s in her 20’s and in good health?

[popdonnelly]

Nobody cares if this guy thinks Miss America should exist or not. He’s not that important.

[Richard Kimball]

"Why does Miss America still exist?"

The Miss America pageant makes money. Why does the LA Times still exist, seeing as how it doesn't?

[Thumper1960]

Zakeet.....................

You're sick person.

< bllaaarrrffff >

[Thumper1960]

Proof that there is a God.