Thursday, May 31, 2007

'Was It Fair?' ABC Attempts to Justify Anti-American Booing of Miss USA

Posted by Scott Whitlock on May 30, 2007 - 11:35.

Updated with video (14:35 EDT).

On Wednesday’s "Good Morning America," the ABC program attempted to justify and explain away the booing that Miss USA, Rachel Smith, received in Mexico City during Monday night’s Miss Universe pageant. In a tease for the segment, GMA anchor Diane Sawyer even wondered aloud, "Was it fair?"

Video (1:21): Real (2.19 MB) or Windows Media (2.49 MB), plus MP3 (376 kB)

Reporter Dan Harris insisted that the rude heckling and yelling must be understood in a broader context. He explained, "By all accounts, the booing was actually not personal. It’s actually a sign of the increasingly intense relationship between the U.S. and Mexico at a time when the immigration debate is very hot." Harris later elaborated, saying that "many Mexicans feel that U.S. uses its power to get its way in world politics and also in competitions such as this one..."

At no time did time during the segment did Harris feature anyone who disagreed with this so-called political statement from the crowd or even anyone who simply called them rude for booing a beauty pageant contestant.

He did, however, interview a left-wing Green Party activist who attempted to validate the boorish behavior:

Dan Harris: "The tensions were evident back in 2004 and 05 when Mexicans booed during soccer games against the United States. Some even chanted Osama. The resentment has only grown since then as the U.S. has sent the National Guard to help beef up border security and build a wall to keep out the immigrants. Many Mexicans are also anxious about the new immigration bill in Congress supported by President Bush that many fear would split Mexican parents from their American born children."
More at the Source



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