Miss Universe Outcome: An Unusual Pattern of Correlations (VIDEO)

(SALEM, Ore.) - Maybe I am a little slow at the draw here, but strange ironies and coincidences were in play at this week's contest for the most appreciated woman in the world; Miss Universe.

First, there is the strange correlation with our nation's serious military dilemma in Iraq, and the Miss USA competitor's inability to stay on their feet. The Iraq War is called by many red blooded Americans nothing but "a repeat of Vietnam" because like the war in SE Asia, it seems fairly unwinnable and a draw at best.

Plenty of military history experts say that all the Bush team needed to do to avoid the problems of Vietnam, was to not repeat them. Well that was too tall of an order.

At the Miss Universe Contest, in Vietnam Monday, Miss USA Crystle Stewart tripped on her evening gown's train and fell, just like Rachel Smith last year. I guess there was nothing to learn from 2007, or was there?

Then you have the fact that Miss Venezuela, a stunning super favorite named Dayana Mendoza, won Miss Universe 2008. This is the nation whose leader, Hugo Chavez, called George W. Bush the devil at a meeting of nations. We'll just say Hugo and George don't have many dinners together. It wasn't like he is a Bin Laden from Saudi Arabia; those are the guys who have over the years, dined with the Bush family.

Venezuela and her neighboring Latin American country, Colombia, have been at odds over several issues and political differences. Each has a formidable military force. The Colombian government has been killing FARC officials, and the government of Venezuela says it is the wrong way to do business. Colombia as a rule, tends to agree with and embrace the big money politics of the Bush Administration.

Just two weeks ago, the Colombian government announced that it "rescued" a hostage from the jungles of Colombia who had been held for years by "leftist rebels" from FARC- the Colombian Revolutionary movement that began several decades ago. The release of Ingrid Betancourt was hailed as a heroic victory by Colombia's President, while other sources said they paid the FARC guerrillas several million dollars for the release and it was all staged and planned.

Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela, had also secured the recent release of FARC hostages, though with much less fanfare. Western media groups seem to be trying their hardest to portray Chavez as a villain, but he keeps proving to the world that it is not the case.

Who did Miss Venezuela edge out to become Miss Universe? Miss Colombia, of course. To make things ever odder, Miss Venezuela is a former Latin America kidnapping victim.

It does seem like a positive thing that Vietnam is able to host a world class event like this today. It is a sign that countries can recover from U.S. military occupation if nothing else. Sunday night must have been a great night for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Here is Miss Venezuela in a yellow two-piece bathing suit in the Preliminary aspect of the Miss Universe Contest:

In this clip, Dayana Mendoza Miss Venezuela and now Miss Universe, gives answers to interview questions before the pageant was held:

In this clip, we see the 2008 Miss USA fall down in her formal gown, almost exactly the way the 2007 Miss USA did in the previous year's event. You might think that the U.S. competitor would look at past mistakes shorten the dress's train, perhaps it wasn't her choice:

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leo villalobos September 28, 2008 6:06 pm (Pacific time)

miss venezuela deserved the title. she's so smart, beautiful and confident. I also like Ms USA unfortunateley something happened.

Henry Ruark July 25, 2008 4:41 pm (Pacific time)

Franco et al: Your comments here both appreciated and honored. That's purpose of dialog, so we all learn from each other. Re "reading", most reporters find themselves doing large part of work that way, from print-sources and Internet, plus phone to experts available. Not all get to travel or work in direct relation to events --esp. at age 90!-- but that does not mean diligent honest journalism cannot be achieved, at least some times. You may find Naomi Klein and other reference useful in also enlarging your own frames of reference. Best to you and to your own nation's great drive to win both freedom and more democracy, some of which may offset the Milton Friedman very large, damaging and continuing impacts, and some of the "dirty tricks" we know originated in the U.S., via corporate and other motivation not necessarily in the best interests of your own nation.

Franco July 24, 2008 10:30 am (Pacific time)

I was born and lived in Colombia until I was 19 when I moved to the United States. I travel to Colombia several times each year on business and to see family. I find those who support FARC are generally grossly misinformed and/or they are supporters of socialist ideology, but most certainly anti-democratic if they are the latter. FARC is a brutal terrorist organization that also gets tens of millions of dollars from dictator Hugo Chavez. Experts estimate that FARC takes in $200 million to $300 million annually—at least half of its income—from the illegal drug trade. The FARC also profits from kidnappings, extortion schemes, and an unofficial “tax” it levies in the countryside for “protection” and social services. About sixty-five of the FARC’s 110 operational units are involved in some aspect of the drug trade, according to a 2005 International Crisis Group report. The U.S. government alleges the FARC’s role in the drug trade is more significant. According to a 2006 U.S. Department of Justice indictment, the FARC supplies more than 50 percent of the world’s cocaine. The U.S. Treasury Department has frozen the assets of several individuals it asserts are significant foreign narcotics traffickers within the FARC. The FARC (started in the 1960\'s by communist sympathizers who modeled themselves after Fidel Castro) is responsible for most of the ransom kidnappings in Colombia; the group targets wealthy landowners, foreign tourists, and prominent international and domestic officials. My knowledge is based on actual experience not reading about it.

Vic July 24, 2008 9:21 am (Pacific time)

Would like to clarify my "ugly and fat" statement....I was not referring to physical characteristics. I have never won any Cary Grant look-alike contests and I also could afford to lose some weight..I was referring to the ugliness of hypocrisy,arrogance and racism and the "fat" of overindulgence and overconsumption...for instance, we use 25% of the worlds energy, but are just 5% of the worlds population...

Henry Ruark July 24, 2008 8:39 am (Pacific time)

To all: For anyone seriously seeking overview of realities involving Chicago School impacts, see summary-review of Klein book at: http://carolymbaker.net/site/index2php?option-com_contentandtask+v... By Stephen Lendman, this gives incidents, dates, locations, events and consequences in very useful format.

Henry Ruark July 24, 2008 7:34 am (Pacific time)

Franco et al: "Mercenaries", you say ? Are they 150,000 in number, paid $1,00 per day-and-insurance, given total protection from local law ? As with ours substituting for broken "volunteer Army" in Iraq ? Some see FARC and other dissidents in S/A as "patriots fighting to free their nation", whether rightly or wrongly. Your view is not the only one at work there... For full detail re Chicago School impacts across all of S. America, and elsewhere in world, seek out Naomi Klien's classic study "The Shock Doctrine: The Role of Disaster Capitalism", best-seller ever since publication early this year.

Henry Ruark July 23, 2008 9:16 pm (Pacific time)

Franco et al: Yours is one view; others see them as patriots seeking freedom for their nation. IF we to discuss reasons-why for FARC, suggest you dig out full record on Chicago School and Milton Friedman impacts on most S/A countries,and continue with Chavez record in Venezuela.

Vic July 23, 2008 7:48 am (Pacific time)

Im surprised Madeline Albright wasnt the American entry..she embodies all we have come to stand for to the rest of the world. She is racist, puts Israel first, she is ugly and fat and has no clue what a grotesque figure she is inside and out. She would have been perfect.

Franco M. July 22, 2008 7:18 am (Pacific time)

FARC is a brutal Marxist organization that is holding literaly thousands of hostages. Ironically the majority of this violent organizations rank and file members have less than a 2nd grade education. Most are members because of financial reasons, or in other words they are mercenaries. People who support them and people like Hugo Chavez and the Castro's are no frieds of democracy. I wonder how many of the posters below know this?

Henry Ruark July 20, 2008 8:22 pm (Pacific time)

Pablo e al: No enmity intended re Colombia or its president or people. But there is no doubt of U.S. deep involvement in far too many devious developments in S. America, due to the notorious and nefarious influence of Chicago Boys economists led by Milton Friedman, with great impacts on government, economy and lives of residents. IF you have link to source re $20 million, share it; will dig up mine re payment by U.S. and record it here when time and meds-demands allow.

ricky July 20, 2008 4:11 pm (Pacific time)

well miss venezuela probably won because of her dress. but anyway the writer spelled COLOMBIA wrong

Pablo Toro July 20, 2008 11:10 am (Pacific time)

Colombia did not pay a single dollar to "RESCUE" the hostages. This informtion about the $20 mill comes from a radio station in europe that is friendly to terrorist organizations like the FARC and ELN... this are ignorant Europeans who don't have a clue that Colombia has a democratic governmet and where the president has a 83% approval rate. Research Colombia aon the 20 of july and look at the milliions that marched on the streets to support the goverment, the independance and most of all the liberation of all hostages with are more that 700. Presidn uribe is the best president in latin ameican history.

Henry Ruark July 18, 2008 1:31 pm (Pacific time)

M.J.et al: Perhaps, too, he was forced to pause while refilling payoff bag after that ransom of $20 millions for hostages.

Mary Joseph July 18, 2008 1:01 pm (Pacific time)

Yeah for Miss Venezuela, she is so pretty and deserving of this. I think that Bush would have rigged this one too but probably didn't think about it in time.

Henry Ruark July 18, 2008 12:33 pm (Pacific time)

To all: YES -- I DID view videos, thank you very much ! Never miss such delightful pageantry...which serves now mostly to remind of rest of world in chaos and conflict due to lack of such reality appreciation...

Henry Ruark July 18, 2008 11:57 am (Pacific time)

To all: Impossible to read this excellent updater from Tim without recalling previous history, of bloody memory, but setting stage for essential understandings of S. American realities today such as FARC: Here's "Bloody Apocalypto" re Reagan-era despoiling and disruption down there, by Robert Parry who broke the Iran/Contra scandal wide open for AP and other reliable channels: www.consortiumnews.com/Print/2006/121606/html

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Miss Universe Outcome: An Unusual Pattern of Correlations (VIDEO)

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