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Greg, Danville, CA — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:14:41 GMT

What the?!?!?!?!?!?! It's because Americans don't have maps?

Wow.

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blatherskite — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:15:32 GMT

I agreed with her right up to the second word.

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Justin, Santa Barbara, California — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:29:19 GMT

She's probably part of that 1/5th statistic.

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Nanalinda, San Antonio, TX — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:32:45 GMT

It's beyond belief! Her parents must be so proud!

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Carol, Long Valley NJ — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:36:19 GMT

She speaks English almost as well as '43', was this what he meant by "no child left behind"? Make sure that you teach abstinence but skip geography. argh

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Niels, looking for English subtitles on Bayou DeGradeabelle, MS — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:39:42 GMT

Look for her to be a White House spokesperson by end of September.

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Jackie, Los Angeles, CA — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:44:10 GMT

Ladies and gentlemen... the future of "U.S. Americans"

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Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:46:55 GMT

She just thought to herself, "What would Brittney Spears like, uh..say?". The full Val...I'm..uh,..Sher!

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Willie Las Vegas, — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 06:04:13 GMT

Bush's spawn?

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Wendy Nix, Charlottesville, Virginia. — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 06:40:05 GMT

What? I, just, um, that doesn't make any freaking sense!

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Quanlin, Boulder, CO — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 07:00:59 GMT

Kevin Federline has already proposed!
-q

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Erica, Mission Viejo CA — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:00:52 GMT

So she's all about the "future" for "U.S. Americans"? If beauty pageants don't work out, she should consider becoming Bush's speech writer (or press sec. since that job will opening up). Her answer was completely effective--we all stopped listening/understanding following the second syllable--yet she still got applause. Perhaps this tactic should be added to the President's guide to dealing with protesters--all you have to do is confuse them in order to subdue them. :P

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Paul; Madison, AL — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 08:32:11 GMT

She should have just stuck with the stock pageant answers... world peace, puppies, kittens, the hungry, the poor, the children, the poor and hungry children, world peace...

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JAM, Pittsburgh, PA — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 09:07:50 GMT

Shining example of the "U.S. Americans" educational system right there. Sheesh!

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Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 09:08:10 GMT

O....K....she's why blonde jokes were invented.

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Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:14:40 GMT

Don't keep me in suspense!! DID SHE WIN??!

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DebbieG, nyc — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:27:23 GMT

OK, part of mewants to laugh at her, but another part feels sorry for her.

While she sounds like a babbling idiot, in her defense, I was once on a big national game show, and between the lights and music and simply NERVES at having the once in a lifetime chance at financial security, I could not even answer the questions that the host was asking me about myself!! Total brain fart. (and I'm someone who has been interviewed plenty on times on camera). It wwas having the chance at the opportunity/money that totally froze me.

I think maybe that happened to her. Maybe.

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Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:34:12 GMT

South Afircasia are exemplry is my personal belief that no one should statment geograpology in that it is hard. Personal appearence is time consuming so how can any one say what even the scientologists are continental drifted and thingys move.
Thank you very much
God Bless America and Diraq!

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Brenda Deltona FL — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:36:43 GMT

I bet she doesn't even know.. she didn't even answer the question... What does Iraq and Africa got to do with a US map??? Many people in this country don't even know who their Governor is let alone their Representatives in Congress... I had a girl at a store ask me while I was wearing one of my T-Shirts that says God is not spelled GOP, what GOP meant.. YESH..

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JAM, Pittsburgh, PA — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:37:12 GMT

"Embattled U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has resigned, senior administration officials told CNN today."

Another rat has jumped from the sinking ship.

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MK, Indianapolis — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:39:40 GMT

Did anyone else notice where she is from? SC, aren't you proud? Isn't that Larry country? It is all making sense to me now!!!!!

P.S. Gonzo is gone zo! Wish he would take his boss with him.

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Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:51:49 GMT

OFF TOPIC, BUT FREDO IS GONE!! FREDO IS GONE!! FREDO IS GONE!!! AMEN! HALLELUAH!! PRAISE BE TO [INSERT DEITY OF YOUR CHOICE HERE]!! FREDO IS GONE!!

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Larry Charleston, SC — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 13:22:22 GMT

MK, Indianopolis unfortunately she is from SC, the home of former governor and Bill Clinton Secretary of Education Richard Riley. You liberals ought to be proud of your education secretary and the teachers unions of this country. By keeping the young dumb they hope to increase the # of liberals !

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Yale, Red-Neck Paradise — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 13:54:42 GMT

Larry from Charleston; your answer is just as "bizzaro" as that young lady's, she's been educated under George's "No child left better" education mandate. "When in doubt blame Bill",the famous GOP mantra.

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Sherri, Charleston WV — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:13:22 GMT

If my kids got on a nationallly televised stage and showed their arses like that, I would consider myself an abject failure as a parent. Camera nerves or no.......what the heck?

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Pedro, Fort Lauderdale, FL — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:27:30 GMT

Noooooo, she didn't win. She was the 4th runner up, the bottom of the top picks. I personally was very disappointed. Who cares if she's dumb, she's a knockout.

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Frederick Sweeney, Brooklyn — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:35:57 GMT

Larry,
Is there anything that is wrong in this country not the fault of Bill Clinton and "liberals"? You've had a Republican adminstration for the last 6 1/2 years and until this Nov. passed, a Republican Congress for the last decade. Did they do nothing to correct all the wrongs?

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DrB — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:48:02 GMT

"By keeping the young dumb they can increase the # of liberals" OMG, that's the most hilarious thing I've heard all year!
Her comment and the one I've quoted prove that the brain alone can produce words that make no sense.
The most frightening thing is, that people believe these talking heads (like Bush) instead of thinking for themselves and asking--"Does this make sense?"

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Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:59:12 GMT

Thanks Pedro (10:27 am post)! I was on pins and needles. What a shame for her, though. I'm sure she has a great future ahead of her as a...hhhmmm...well...gee...hell, I'll steal Erica's great thought...A MEMBER OF THE GW ADMINISTRATION! They could teach each other vocabulary and how to muck up the English language.

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Bonnie — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:21:01 GMT

With or without a map, this woman (or girl) doesn't have a clue. But, folks, why would anyone be upset by this? She just reflects what our current society seems to value, as best evidenced by Pedro's comment above (even if he was kidding) -- Who cares if she's dumb because she's a knockout? (And the first corollary to that, of course -- even if she's not dumb, no one will give her a chance unless she's a knockout, and the more cleavage the better). Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, move over and look out. You've got a new rival for the last two stories on Countdown. She's got it all over you.

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MK, Indianapolis — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:36:26 GMT

Sorry (ouch), Larry I miss read your post. I thought you were further insulting Indianapolis. After seeing the spelling "Indianopolis", I know we don't have great thinkers in public office from here but you all take the cake. Dan Quale (sp?) is about all we had to offer! Even he claimed Arizona as home most of the time.

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scott henderson nv — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:43:20 GMT

That was definitely a liberal’s answer to a liberal question!

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Carol — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:19:43 GMT

C'mon people, be nice. She's just a kid, she was nervous. Remember back twenty years.... how worldly and articulate were you at that age?

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Jules, Palatine — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:21:32 GMT

"The N-hole is well aware this is just a youngster..."

You guys sould have stopped right there. Shes just a YOUNGSTER. There was no need to post this, hopefully this will not be on Countdown tonight.

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Carol, Long Valley NJ — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:25:24 GMT

Lauren Caitlin Upton, Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2007, is only 17, which means that her geography wasn't learned under the current adminstration. I doubt if she even remembers Clinton. I doubt if she could name any one is this administration. It means her speaking skills were learned from '43'. According to her bio, her "faith is very important to her". Face it Larry -- she's one of your conservative bimbettes.

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Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:42:23 GMT

"I mean..you know...like, I was hoping for, word, the question on Particle Physics...cuz, like, that's where I'm at...totally! But...Maps? I'm sher! Isn't that what the GPS on my cell phone is for, I mean...?...uh...duh!"

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citib0y, Torrington, CT — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:00:47 GMT

Bob Hope said it best: "Wear that hat!"

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Chuck Adkins — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:43:35 GMT

This chick drives a car too, I bet... yikes!

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J Z Jackson, Tampa, Florida — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:18:52 GMT

Well I think we've just found our next Press Secretary.

Does anyone else get the feeling she learned geography through that series of Tubes that Ted Stevens so articulately described to us?

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Richard in Kansas — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:26:06 GMT

Too bad she didn't win. Now she won't have the honor of being felt up by Miss USA.

"Smiles, everyone! Smiles!"

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Laura in Los Angeles — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:37:43 GMT

She'd be great on Jay Leno's Jaywalking...

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Sue, trying to dodge the storms in West Allis, Wisconsin — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:57:00 GMT

There's a picture of this twit next to the word Bimbo in the dictionary.

She was clearly raised to be beautiful air head. She'll probably end up anchoring a news show on a national network.

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BigDog — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:06:11 GMT

I think the echo that I heard was inside her head!

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Captain Bill, San Francisco, CA — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:07:22 GMT

She is trying, without much success, to channel Gertrude Stein.

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Just Saying, Here, Now — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:39:45 GMT

Was that Jenna or Barbara?

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Karen Winters, Los Angeles, CA — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:49:05 GMT

Sure she's only a kid of 17. That means next year she can vote.
Be very afraid.

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Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:11:18 GMT

Steve - I think you nailed the education in South Carolina. Ahh, which also explains Larry, she's from good old "SC". I enjoy my daughter Reema's characterization of Larry, the one who uses his "mouth as a personal task force"!! An ignorant, bigoted and stupid one at that!!

PEACE!!

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Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:11:51 GMT

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Thank you — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:14:32 GMT

update please

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Mike Stern — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:48:46 GMT

Oh come on, folks; she was nervous.

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J Z Jackson, Tampa, Florida — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:56:36 GMT

It just occurred to me exactly who she sounds like. She's the Dude. She sounds like Jeff Lebowski trying to explain why he screwed up dropping the ransom money. Maybe she's keeping up a strict regiment of Pot, Oat Soda's and Caucasians. Or maybe she's that one child that was left behind.

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Simonton Street, Key West — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:10:36 GMT

It is painfully amusing. I can only hope that when the event was over and the makeup came off, her parents put their arms around her and held her tight and told her that they loved her and were proud of her no matter what. And in the future, if anyone ever asks about her inglorious 48 seconds, I hope she looks them right in the eye and says, "yep, that was me" and keep on keep'n on. She just might come out on top.

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SGP, Maryville, TN — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:13:40 GMT

Good one, Captain Bill! Although it might have been Virginia Woolf she was channelling. You know, very few people these days dabble in the art of stream of consciousness.

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Nynke, Dordrecht, Netherlands — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:26:44 GMT

We Europeans are not fooled one bit. This lady is extremely smart. She is proposing to export the US educational system where 1/5th doesn't know where the US can be found on a map to Africa and Iraq and Asian countries. Now *that*'s a good way to prevent war. We'll have world peace after all!

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B. Garske, WI — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:03:51 GMT

Future Liberal at large....

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Mike Keller, Spring Mills, PA — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:21:25 GMT

I believe South Carolina is consistently a "red" state, is it not? Now we know why...

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jp, cali — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 23:41:57 GMT

Her 15 minutes of fame, poor girl.

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Edwin Frydendall, Mankato, MN — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 23:53:47 GMT

Huh?

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Gatrek - Winona, MN — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:34:41 GMT

Did she hear the question correctly? If so, then she's the one who was not taught by her teacher(s) about here geaography, and she's not alone; my friend asked me three-week ago about what state is Maryland in (please pay attention: he asked state - not where it is located) - to which I repplied by asking him that: "Did you take your high school American History." And believe me, this guy is a 24-year-old college student in his 2nd year, and I'm refugee immigrant from Sudan (he's a U.S citezen).

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The Edge, Macon GA — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:39:11 GMT

Pretty like a hummingbird, brain like baby chicken! I wonder what her proud momma and pops had to say at the country club when their friends said " I saw your daughter's performance on the web today "

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S Vickers, Fl — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:45:23 GMT

The democrats have another candidate for 08

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gene palm coast fl. — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:49:49 GMT

bill o'reilly is going to have a feast with this one.

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Tru M., Cleveland, Ohio — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:54:40 GMT

I didn't get a chance to look at this earlier but saw it on the show. Un-be-lievable. This girl gives new meaning to the "dumb blonde" stereotype. As the old saying goes, where is she going to get her diploma from, "Monkey Ward"'s? This level of ignorance combined with this much incoherence, mixed in with an obvious desperate mad scramble to recall and repeat some surefire winning catchphrase taught her by her "pageant coach" prior to the event, all added up to the biggest humiliation ever at a pageant of any kind. I don't think the young woman who tripped on her shoes felt as bad as this.

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William M. Brown — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:46:52 GMT

She must be a "Bushie" or maybe just a Republican.

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S. Finley, Lubbock, Texas — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:29:51 GMT

I believe the poor girl _did_ answer the original question in a roundabout way, if you extend the question to an implied indictment of 1) the educational system, increasingly gutted by "government-is-evil" right-wing types, and 2) "students" who spend all their time on worthless activities, shallow pop culture, marketed material goods, etc., often doing exactly what they see their parents doing. I mean, her answer does sort of give you the idea, doesn't it?

In other words, it's not just the "educational system"; it's the willfully ignorant populus that (sort of) elected Bush, _twice_. The information is out there and has never been more accessible; students and their parents can't just be passive blobs, waiting for someone to "motivate" them and "inspire" them and "educate" them.

Really, the larger point is, if you're looking for a better example of whether or not we're sufficiently educated and intelligent as a nation, probably the White House is a better place to look than a beauty pageant for teenagers.

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Rebecca Allen, Brookline, NH — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 05:56:43 GMT

The question HAS to be referring to the National Geographic-Roper Geographic Literacy Poll, conducted in 2002 and 2006. In 2002, 89% of Americans polled could locate the US on a map. In 2006, 94% could locate the US on the map. Doesn't it seem like we've picked the wrong target here? Shouldn't we be mocking the pageant for being unable to write an accurate question? I mean, how dippy is it to confuse 80% and 89% or, worse, 94%? Getting confused in the face of a question that amounts to, "Polls say the sky is green. Why do you think that is?" isn't really that unreasonable.

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Keith, Allentown PA — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:42:28 GMT

Leave the girl alone. She is only 18, and got a case of nerves in front of a national audience. Now, you guys want to pile on. Is this the compassionate liberal that is coming out of you people. This is the typical knee jerk reaction that because she misspoke in one instance, she is just a bimbo and a loser. You don't even know this girl. Give it a rest. It's rather insensitive for Newshole to exploit the girl's bad day. I wouldn't expect anything else.

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Larry Charleston, SC — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:01:24 GMT

I don't believe this was the worst answer ever. That would have been from Mr Clinton in response to a question from the citizens of the USA. It went something like this.. " I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinski " LOL

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Rod, Tacoma, Washington — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:17:17 GMT

After seeing this clip, I feel fairly confident that if "Dixie" really does "rise again" that they wont be able to locate the Yankees during the "2nd Civil War".

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T-Rae, Winchester, VA — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:33:45 GMT

May I mombodogface in the banana patch?, would have been a better answer then what she gave.

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bob O'Day, Johnston Rhode Island — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:40:53 GMT

I think we found Alberto Gonzales' replacement!!!

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Bob O'Day, Johnston, RI — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:58:11 GMT

But Scotty,
She's from South Carolina!!!
Are you even allowed to be a liberal in that bastion of modern enlightened thinking we call South Carolina???
I think not Scotty Boy!!!
She's a Loyal Bushy like you...not loyal enough to enlist it seems but still quite loyal...YEEEE HAR HAR HAR HAR!!!

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Pedro, Fort Lauderdale, FL — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:08:53 GMT

Heck, after W, she could be PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of "U.S. America".

In all fairness, she was on the Today Show this morning and [somewhat] redeemed herself. Except that she wants to be a Graphic Designer. Kid, snap out of it! You're too cute to spend the rest of your life in a cubicle.

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Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:57:15 GMT

Yup, sublime ignorance will get you a spot on 'TODAY'. If she'd have just drooled a little bit, she might have made '20/20'.

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Wayne, TN — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:42:47 GMT

Well the girl does a bit better this time around.
http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=8c4ff841-eaf6-49bb-8186-92a07e09ee06&f=06/64&fg=copy

Shame on you people who took such glee in the young lady's embarassment.

PS
According to recent studies most College students don't know diddly about history or even current events, sort of like the Dem/Libs on this site.

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Frederick Sweeney, Brooklyn — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:03:27 GMT

I don't know, Larry. Worst answer ever, I'm sort of partial to "I am not a crook" or "Read my lips, no new taxes, and there's always " Mission Accomplished"

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Timmy, Milwaukee WI — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:09:04 GMT

Couldn't help seeing the South Carolina stripe...Larry, is that your daughter? Grand-daughter?

You must be so proud. She takes after her daddy/granddaddy all right...dumb as a bag of hammers.

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Timmy, Milwaukee WI — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:13:09 GMT

Hey Keith in Allenton PA, come here.

Closer.

Shoot it out your blow hole, pal.

Oh and congrats for getting all the Rush Limbaugh bywords in one paragraph. You guys never cease to amaze me with the length and breadth of your vocabulary. Amazing. Truly amazing.

Some of us aren't very compassionate. Some of us can't wait to get one of you mouthy mofos alone in a dark alley. Watch your back, tough guy.

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Frustrated in the US — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:52:00 GMT

Dr. B stated (I'm paraphrasing here) that "people" listen to and believe "talking heads like Bush" instead of thinking for themselves and asking, "Does this make sense?" How about the talking heads who are the media? They've shaped the minds of more mindless people who think they are intelligent regarding the current administration and the poor state this country is in?! Perhaps we all feel so free to bash the president because the office lost the respect it deserves after we were forced to listen to crap about cigars in places they were never meant to be and stains on blue dresses during the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal?

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Keith, Allentown PA — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:53:49 GMT

Little TImmy

You are joking me pal. So a squirrelly little liberal from Wisconsin likes to beat up on an innocent 18 year old who had a case of nerves. Quite the class act. By the way, I'm 6'5" 240 lbs so I can hardly wait for that confrontation in a dark alley. Please, have a little respect for some of the more intelligent poster on this blog. I can have intelligent debate without resorting to your useless babble. What a pathetic loser.

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Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:36:22 GMT

In all seriousness, this is such a great blog!! Where else are "the Dude" from BIG LEBOWSKI and Virginia Woolfe going to be referenced in the same thread??!! BTW (beware of nit-picky English professor visit), Virginia wasn't nearly the stream-of-consciousness writer as James Joyce's ULYSESS [sorry for botched spelling]. You wanna fry your brain, READ THAT!! Ugh...

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Neal Hoffman, Syracuse, NY — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:38:01 GMT

Hey, folks, haven't many of you gone a bit overboard? This is a young kid of 17 or so, competing in something that we in this country have institutionalized - the "Beauty" Contest. She had to answer something to that question and didn't have a clue. That's unfortunate, but is it really any reason to put her down, degrade her, shame her and use all kinds of labels. I thought we were a more compassionate people than that. For myself, I feel sorry for her, because she was never prepared to answer a question of the kind asked. Show a little compssion and blame the educational system more than this poor kid. Incidentally, I didn't see any of you try to answer that rather esoteric question. Why is it that so many of our young people cannot use a map to locate their own country? It might take more than just a sound byte or two to answer that one.

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Nanalinda, San Antonio, TX — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:14:09 GMT

Wayne. TN 12:42pm post.
I can't believe my eyes. You of all people defending a female. Watch it Bud, you're beginning to sound enlightened.

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LMM — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:57:36 GMT

Thank goodness she's pretty.

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Moogle — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 20:08:05 GMT

It's because people aren't taught to read maps properly in school. And relatives don't always take initiative to teach them as well. XD That's the reason why I think that people can't read maps. I mean, even I, a younger person, have never been taught to read maps whilst in the K-12th grades. I learned how to read them myself by looking at maps and asking relatives about them. >.>

Well, people who are artists or aspire to be artists aren't always that good with words, they like to express themselves through their art. xD

Well, I know that I would certainly be nervous if I were in a national contest or pageant, since many people watch it, and you have to watch what you say.

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Gerald Muskogee Ok — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 20:35:19 GMT

I don't get it. What's wrong with her answer...

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Praveen, Ft. worth, texas — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 22:22:40 GMT

18 years old and on national television..i dont blame her...just one of those moments, as she explained when you draw a blank

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Eric, Tucson AZ — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 22:29:08 GMT

She redeemed herself pretty well on the Today Show this morning.

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Margie, Kansas City, Missouri — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 22:30:11 GMT

I'd bet my inner-city teacher's salary she goes to a rich, suburban school.

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Carol, Long Valley NJ — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 22:44:53 GMT

We're not pleased at her performance, we're embarrassed to our toe nails at how our educational system could produce such an air head. Appearance is valued over substance and this is the result.

No child left behind, my foot. Teaching to the test is idiocy and this is proof.

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Jamie, Chula Vista, CA — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 23:45:53 GMT

Wellllll, regardless of whether or not it was nerves (which I truly chocked it up to be), she certainly is getting her 15 minutes out of it.

Just goes to show what makes the 'news' in this country and what doesn't-it's all about 'celebrity.'

On that note, my kids (ages 8 & under), are pretty good with geography. That could be from the places we lived and all the places our family members live, but they do know geography. Unfortunately they know all too well where Iraq is-fortunately they know where Italy is and they will be living there very soon (which our official fly out date is September 30).

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Tony, Cary NC — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:15:59 GMT

OK - she's 17, blonde and in a beauty pageant. My expectations are only going to be so high. Compare her comment, though, with !W! and the "fool me once" quote... Can you guess who's the Leader of the Free World? Should be a lot more distance there than there is.

Of course, when I was 17, and someone had asked me that... "Uh... cause they're stupid. Duh!"

One point to make up some of her lost ground with everyone... at 17 years old, she came up the courage to go back on National TV and discuss it all. Way more than I could've mustered at that age.

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Bill Frially — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 00:27:19 GMT

I feel bad for this young lady as she is now the butt of all of your jokes. Tell me: how many of you could be suddenly thrust before a TV camera at that age, during an intense competition and not feel like a deer in the headlights? Give the girl some slack.

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Wayne, TN — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:07:59 GMT

"Tell me: how many of you could be suddenly thrust before a TV camera "
Why I can remember when Bill Clinton got so flustered in front of the cameras that he forgot the definition of the word "is", and couldn't even remember getting a BJ from Miss Lewinsky.

I would hazard a guess that many of the Liberals on this site still think White Phosporous is a Chemical Weapon, and think Mustard gas is not a proscribed chemical weapon. They also think al-Quida in Iraq is not al-Quida.

Worst. Answer. Ever.

Donna M, Sherburne NY — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:36:07 GMT

You should all look at your respective answers and b amazed and appalled. At a time when education is in the hands of the teachers alone and many parents are expecting the educational system to pick up the slack, you should be checking your spelling and not picking on one person who may have just been nervous. Stop pigeonholing people based on a brief encounter and start thinking before you write or speak.

Worst. Answer. Ever.

Timmy, Milwaukee WI — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 21:25:56 GMT

OOOOOH

Keith Allentown PA, I'm scared!

Care to put it to the test?

Or can't you get the 240 pound colostomy bag on an airplane?

By the way, I think your vast intelligence omitted an "s" in your post. You might have noticed if your head wasn't so far up Bushie's butt.

Worst. Answer. Ever.

Timmy, Milwaukee WI — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 21:27:21 GMT

You're right Wayne, to put hazard and guess in the same sentence.

Any guessing done by you is extremely hazardous.

It's a good thing breathing is involuntary. Right, Wayne?

Worst. Answer. Ever.

Keith, Allentown PA — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:37:46 GMT

Little Timmy

So that is all you have, that I forgot an s when typing a post. You are the one that threatened me behind your computer that you wanted to meet me in a dark alley. My simple response was I can hardly wait. This blog is getting more shrill by the day. Nothing but name calling and hateful rhetoric. I though the democratic party was a peace-loving party. They are, as long as you don't disagree with them.

Worst. Answer. Ever.

Brenda Deltona FL — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 19:19:15 GMT

Jamie, Chula Vista, CA (Sent Tuesday, August 28, 2007 7:45 PM)

I do wish you all the best on your trip.. I've only been to a couple of countries in Europe.. I hope you enjoy your stay there.. I don't know if you've been abroad before, but I loved my experience while there..