Miss California . . .YOURRRRRRE FIRED!

This just in from MSNBC:

“The Miss California USA Organization, in conjunction with the Miss Universe Organization and with the blessing of its owner, Mr. Donald J. Trump, announced today the termination of Carrie Prejean as Miss California USA 2009, citing continued breach of contract issues,” the Miss California Organization said in a statement to Access Hollywood.

So many questions, so little time:

1. Does it matter what Miss California's "political beliefs" or "moral beliefs" are? I don't agree with her denunciation of gay marriage, but I can't say I give a damn what she thinks about it. It's not like she's some accomplished artist, writer, actor, etc. I might care what such a person thinks, just as I might care what any successful, accomplished person thinks -- obviously, they must have something on the ball. But the winner of one beauty pageant? I don't think so.

2. Should it matter what Miss California's "political beliefs" or "moral beliefs" are? If you have to believe for or against gay marriage, or contraception/abortion prohibition, or immigration reform, or whatever, to be Miss California, then it cheapens celebrity political statements in general. No artistic endeavor should be required to pass a political litmus test to earn the right to be judged on its own merits.

3. Did Miss California try to cash in on the Perez Hilton controversy to make a name for herself in the fundamentalist Christian market? I think so.

4. Is this the real reason Mr. Trump was so upset? Yes, probably. There can only be one superstar in any Trump production, and it's Trump.

5. How did Donald Trump come to own the Miss California and Miss Universe USA franchises? Isn't this the kind of industry that cries out for nationalization? We The People should own Miss Universe USA, Miss America, the NFL, Dancing With The Stars, America's Next Top Model, and Top Chef.

Which leads to the most important question . . .

What does Judge Sonya Sotomayor think about this whole controversy?