Sitting on the bench

The new Miss America said she wanted to become a Supreme Court Judge.

Admirable! Ambitious! Adorable!  She certainly did her Nebraskan parents proud.

During the talent contest, the producers collected and showed contestant’s childhood footage.

Digital archive!

To Miss America franchise’s credits, many past winners were present for a show of support.

They appeared to be healthy, and in command of their appearance. If anything good comes out of this, it’s the healthy regiments observed by winners and contestants alike (TV appearances, modeling contracts etc…).

For us the audience, it provides a welcome relief from a week plagued by bad news e.g. Loughner’s shaved-head mug shot, Tunisia‘s Twitter Uprising, Brazilian and Australian floods etc…

Over this long weekend of commemorating Dr King’s legacy, let’s not forget the cross burning, bra burning and flag burning that got us here.

Upon those shoulders stands Miss America whose dream is to become a Supreme Court judge.

Juxtapose Scanlan (youngest Miss America 2011) with Loughner who got denied at Community College, the Army (couldn’t be all he can be) except for a gun license, we have a contemporary portrait of good and bad choices.

Both commanded our attention, and both managed to inspire us positively or negatively.

The paradox of publicity is that you won’t get any exposure unless you are an outlier or exceptional winner (Mark Chapman knew this, hence high-profile killing of JL).

In our present context of globalization, we are all contestants at “Miss Universe” level (Evergreen is moving its solar manufacturing facility to China, shutting down its three-year-old operation in Mass, cited competitiveness reason).

More people will be sitting on the bench, and fewer will set foot on the playing field.

Meanwhile, good luck Teresa, with your “I have a dream” (of sitting on the highest bench of the land). Try getting used to wearing a robe, after a year with the crown.