Miss California, who (Horrors!) expressed the personal belief that marriage should be limited to one man and one woman - and probably lost the title of Miss USA because of it - is sticking to her guns.

What did she say that was so horrific?

"I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage," she said. "And you know what? I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

The next day, Miss USA judge (and celebrity blogger) Perez Hilton threw a hissy fit and called her a bunch of unattractive names.

Granted, Carrie Prejean did not muster a single argument as to why she believes what she believes. She simply cites her upbringing. But then, the Miss USA pageant is probably not the best place to indulge this particular argument.

There are thoughtful people on either side of the gay marriage issue, neither Carrie Prejean nor Perez Hilton are among them.

But she, at least, is nice. He isn't.

Mr. "Hilton" has made himself a minor celebrity by insulting bigger celebrities on his web-site. One of his more grown-up gimmicks is to draw large cartoon penises on photographs of movie stars like Jennifer Aniston. Very high-brow stuff. That he would be selected to "judge" the Miss USA pageant is a gimmick in and of itself, courtesy of celebrity mogul Donald Trump.

Other contestants had to answer questions about whether "they would speak out against domestic violence," and such like. Not exactly the political minefield, Prejean was invited to step into. It was only by the (bad) luck of the draw she got the Perez question. She did the best she could with it but more importantly she maintained true to her beliefs, exuded real tolerance, and kept her personal integrity intact in the process.

The same can not be said for the pageant, its judges or its owner.