Miss California To Lose Crown?

Just when you thought it was safe to turn on your television, Miss California Carrie Prejean has hit the airwaves again, although this time not with all the blessings of the religious right. Unfortunately the lass' transformation from beauty queen to anti-gay marriage activist hit a snag this week when photos emerged showing a 17-year-old Prejean posing topless as an aspiring underwear model.

Poor thing! First a victim of political correctness and now this. She'd just come off criticism after it was learned that she requested, and received, a breast augmentation courtesy of Miss California USA pageant officials. Barely a week after defending the confidence-boosting procedure, here she was, busily crafting a wholesome image as a celebrity spokesperson for the right-wing National Organization for (Straight) Marriage, when these pesky teen photos cropped up. Immediately she went into spin control, valiantly explaining the photos were taken when she was attempting to land a gig for Victoria's Secret. While she alleged the photos were leaked in an attempt to "mock [her] Christian faith," it didn't dull the gnawing issue of honesty on her California pageant registration. When asked whether she'd ever posed "nude or semi-nude," she apparently checked no- a response that could cost her the state crown.

A second issue emerged that could become problematic for Prejean's reign. While in the process of becoming an outspoken activist against gay marriage, she made numerous appearances, televised interviews, she forgot one thing. Her contract requires her to obtain prior approval from pageant execs for official appearances- something she neglected to do. Who knows? It could be a forgiveable mistake, or part of her undoing as pageant officials sort thru the mess.

Despite Prejean's cry of mockery at the hands of liberal critics, it is far from mockery that disturbs me. While there's plenty of room for merriment at her expense, it's not her faith with which I take issue. It's her inconsistency and hypocrisy, both of which are fair game. It wasn't a gossip website, but Prejean herself that placed her morals at center stage. Now those floodgates are opened, she may be forced to learn that honesty and fidelity are vital to a contractual agreement. Maybe someday she might even realize that gays and lesbians can honor a marriage contract with greater respect.