The new Miss USA is a pole-dancing Shi'ite Muslim who counts the Hezbollah terrorist group as part of her loyal fan base. Or, as the Los Angeles Times put it, Rima Fakih is "the poster girl for modern America."

Miss Fakih, who as Miss Michigan took the Miss USA crown last weekend, was born in southern Lebanon and, as commentator Debbie Schlussel has reported, has extensive family connections to Hezbollah. But that reportage has been overshadowed by the more politically correct "first Arab-American Miss USA" storyline, dovetailing as it does with President Obama's efforts to promote Islam at home and abroad.

The first Arab-American to win the Miss USA crown was really Julie Hayek in 1983. However, Miss Hayek was a Lebanese Christian, and the notion of Christian Arabs is probably too complicated for the liberal media to bother explaining.

Regardless of the issue of Miss Fakih's purported political leanings, this year's pageant sank to new lows. The contestants participated in lingerie photo shoots that were only slightly less explicit than the amateur soft-core porn that cost Miss Nevada 2007 Katie Rees her crown. It was simply bad timing for Miss Rees. Three years later, the controversial became the conventional.

The Miss Universe Organization is now reportedly looking into Miss Fakih's participation in a "Stripper 101" competition put on by a Detroit radio station in 2007. Miss Fakih won the contest, which did not involve actually stripping but just going through the motions. In fact, more of her body was covered "stripping" three years ago than in the swimsuit competition on Sunday.

Investigating Miss Fakih for her pole-dancing expertise is premature. The way things are going at the pageant, pole dancing may well be featured next year in the talent competition.

The pageant also has taken on a hint of left-leaning political correctness. In years gone by, it was a standing joke that contestants would blather something about world peace during the question period. Now, competitors can expect to be drilled on controversial matters of public policy. Last year, Miss California Carrie Prejean was criticized by homosexual activists for her response to a question about same-sex "marriage."

This year's victim was Miss Oklahoma Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, who was hit with a hot-button question regarding Arizona's new law against illegal immigrants. She said she was "a huge supporter of states' rights" and that the Arizona law was "perfectly fine." Miss Woolard had been leading Miss Fakih by a wide margin through the swimsuit and evening gown portions of the competition, but - like Miss Prejean last year - the Okie finished as first runner-up.

The judges passed up the opportunity to ask Miss Fakih about her views on radical Islamic terrorism or whether Israel has a right to exist.

Participating in this type of organized sleaze-fest is not what parents should want for their daughters. But as a newly crowned ambassador for modern American womanhood, Miss Fakih is demonstrating to the suffering women of the Middle East that there is life beyond the burkha.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/19/the-shiite-stripper-girl-next-door/

lol,, its a pageant,,,,women parading around in barely nothing plus high heels,, giving answers(off the top of their heads) to problems they will never be faced with solving themself, with lots of pretty hair and makeup to top it off,,,


was it ever really taken as anything politically serious?

well, for me it's just another lame attempt by liberals to push their agenda....and yes.... because of the news coverage.

Like belly dancing, poll dancing is becoming a popular fitness exercise sport. I think its great!

By the way Miss Fakih went to County High, Pueblo Colorado, thats where I graduated. I'm so proud!

They shouldn't as political questions at events like that though. It's uncouth.

One can only imagine the outcry if she had been asked if Israel had a right to exist?

I think the author of this editorial copied in the OP has muslim issues.

lol,, what gave it away?

"The judges passed up the opportunity to ask Miss Fakih about her views on radical Islamic terrorism or whether Israel has a right to exist. "


well, we all have biases,,,but it does sometimes overshadow relevant facts

the only relevant fact is the judging has become nothing more than a platform to push liberal agendas....last year it was gay marriage....this year immigration....the author only points out that in asking such questions would equal asking Miss Fakih about radical Islamic terrorism or whether Israel has a right to exist.

I can't wait till they get a politically correct liberal endorsed answer to one of their questions - for surely, then, they will be exposed as they crown her winner.

I am no pageant fan or fan of the questions either. At least the issues of homosexual marriage and immigration referred to AMERICAN policies(As in Miss USA).

What would a question about Israel be doing in a Miss America pageant,,,,should they ask a black candidate how they feel about genocide in Africa, or an Irish candidate how they feel about the IRA,,,

Her Daddy must not be a true follower of the faith.
Islam teaches not to take on the ways of the western culture.

If, she ever went to Mecca, she would be brought to trial.

would fall under American foreign policy questions....Immigration is a foreign policy question.

Wasn't this the same pageant that last years winner was raked over the coals by the left wing for not agreeing with gay marriage?

I wonder why they didn't ask this one the same question?

Oh wait.... nevermind I already know why..

wait, the Torah and the Qur'an mention 'western' culture?


thats interesting,,,

Sharia Law certainly addresses how women are to dress. Yes, sharia law covers dishonoring Islam and the family by accepting the ways of the infidels.

If miss America were a militant Muslim, she wouldn't have even tried out for the pageant to begin with.

Hell if she is a devout Muslim she wouldn't have been able to try out for the pageant.

So considering she did and won, I would consider that proof of her not being militant or very active in the Muslim religion.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/37193792/ns/today-today_fashion_and_beauty/

Miss USA from powerful Shiite family
Sister: Fakih overcame prejudices that face Arab-Americans

The Lebanese immigrant who won the Miss USA 2010 pageant comes from a family that stood out for its tolerance in a religiously divided country, relatives said Monday.

Rima Fakih, 24, was born into a powerful Shiite family in a village in southern Lebanon that was heavily bombed during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. But she and her sister said the family celebrates both Muslim and Christian faiths and prefer to be referred to as Lebanese, Arabs or Arab-Americans.

"We don't take sides and this is strange in a country like Lebanon," Rana Fakih said, referring to the civil war that was mainly between Muslims and Christians.

So, she's Muslim. Is it really a big deal? Of course not.

so you believe that by living in a country, one must be adopting its 'supposed' culture( we could have a whole other discussion about what is truly American culture, given the many ethnicities and backgrounds and faiths of its people)

Muslims can be muslims wherever they live, just like christians can be christians even if they live in a muslim country(they just cant be disrespectful of the muslim faith without serious repurcussion)

Mohammed wouldn't be interested in her. She's about 14 years too old for him.

If the new ( ahem ) ... 'Miss America's daddy was a REAL muzzie, why, this would be such an insult he'd be ( ahem ) ... 'honor'-bound to perform an 'honor' killing ... I mean, it's all about maintaining 'respect' for the 'family name' 'n stuff ... What an insult to America to advance a political agenda that's 'muzzie-friendly' ... maybe they'll wait and cut her throat last ...