Do We Care If Miss Teen S. carolina, Caitlin Upton, Knows Zilch?

September 2007 Miss Teen South Carolina, Caitlin Upton, became an internet sensation for all the wrong reasons when she butchered her answer to a geography question during the Aug 24th, "Miss Teen USA" Competition. We had to ask our panel if asking these questions is even needed. When it comes to beauty pageants, we admire their beauty; do we also need to admire them for their minds? Our panel shares their thoughts.

Anita Star "I didn't even take geography in High School.  I don't know what the big deal is.  I mean long as you know where your house is, what else to you need?  Plus, those GPS devices tell you all that other stuff." We sense a disturbance in the force: It sounded like a million geographers screaming all at once - then silence.

Sharon Moore "I think the mind is just as sexy as another other body part.  I mean these pageants have a tendency to objectify women - it can't hurt to encourage them to brush up on other subjects.  In that sense, I true beauty is both what is on the outside and inside that counts." You're something on the outside, Sharon; we can only imagine you're like on the inside.  "What?"

Joe "Papa" Razzi "Hey, I think it's unfair to put her up there for her looks and then ask her these dumb questions about Iraq and stuff.  It is all a show - the ones that do get it right have just been coached.  I think more than anything she was overly coached and just started spewing gibberish out.  I don't feel this will affect her chances to be in the romantic spotlight."  We suppose you have a point Joe. It is not often that happens, but you do have one.