This is the sort of thing that shouldn't be reported, as it will only confirm in people's minds what a backwater little town we are, with redneck reporters running around, writing the sort of stories you talk about in a bar.

"They Are Some Cuties": story headline written by a man. Sexist, and bordering on homophobic on the part of the reporter.

"Brittany Musselman, Miss Bob Graham Ltd.": I mean, WTH??? Bob Graham, I know you're trying to be community minded, but to give your name to a beauty contestant? Just about as bad as "Miss Beef Slaughterhouse", etc, etc....

"Kaitlyn Carr, Miss Curves": I hope, for her sake, that she does have curves. If not, well.....

"Sydney Sankey, Miss Cutting Edge": again, what a name to wear. Hopefully people don't start making fun of her, and call her "Miss Bleeding Edge".

Am I the only one who thinks this story is a little incongruous? Or the names of the sponsors a little ridiculous? Or that the editors of opinion250 actually let this one slip by them?

Actually, I don't think the editors review the stories before they are posted, based on the number of grammatical and spelling errors in many of the stories.

I was quite surprised to read the lame article as well. I was expecting a story about some cute puppies or something. I thought it was a little un-PC myself.

Well said, both of you!

Wow, some people need to take a pill.

No kidding Ruez.
You know there is a simple solution for you holier than thou posters here.

DON'T COME HERE IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT.

Beesnutz how do you know it was a man that wrote this headline?

""They Are Some Cuties": story headline written by a man. Sexist, and bordering on homophobic on the part of the reporter."

"bordering on homophobic"

You've got to be kidding me!

Just a good news story,nothing wrong with that,at least there is'nt any BS in it.

Pretty snobby little place I think.

I guess if you are entering what is essentially a beauty contest, you shouldn't be too surprised to have someone call you "cutie". When I first read the article I was confused by the "Self Development Program" portion of the title. I thought it was something deeper than just a beauty contest, but I'm probably wrong.

However, it seems pretty pathetic that we are still supporting the objectification of women with contests like this, especially at a government level. There are many "beautiful" women out there that wouldn't win a beauty contest. And if this contest isn't about looks, then the reporter shouldn't be demeaning the contestants by calling them "cuties".

Your absolutely ridiculous!

Sorry....You're*

As long as it is all voluntary - meaning nobody forced these ladies to become candidates - I don't know what the hubbub is all about!

Let them have some fun, beesknees!

Very constructive and well thought out rebuttal, lostfaith. You shot down each one of my points with a clear and concise argument. You are a master debater. I guess you win.

the hubbub is that women are still only recognized and encouraged to display their physical attributes whereas me have no such option and need to rely on demonstrated skills.
This is not politically correct nor is it gender fairness unless they had a brother competition for males with the very same events, categories and expected performance "talent". They have no such thing, therefore this is the continued objectification of females based on physical appearance. The message being sent is still that a females only value is as a trophy or "service" provider.

Come on...I don't think too many guys think that a females only value is a trophy or a service provider, besides why would it make it any better if there were the same contests for males. At these contests there are just as many females as males. We all have different attributes, jealousy aside,deal with it.

I never claimed to be a master debater jarodl but I do claim to be very good at pointing out ridiculous statements when I see them.

You and Loki should get together and come up with some way to put an end to everything YOU TWO think is wrong in the world, everything that YOU TWO think others should or shouldn't do or participate in or talk about. You know... things YOU TWO think are wrong with society.

All you "holier than thou's" should take a long walk off a short pier and quit trying to force your morals on others.

Exactly Dirtcheap and they should get a life while they are at it.

of course most guys don't realize that they value females in such a manner, or at least fail to admit it.
Tell me this, if it is an event where the contestants are judged primarily on having a superior appearance and all the stages or events are to provide more opportunity to display said appearance, what is this event named?
The contestants are being judged on appearance, the vernacular is beauty contest.

The males go to ogle, the females go to cheer on their friends or get ideas on how to improve their own appearance.

So what..what is your point anyway? Some of us are better looking than others ...so what...and what is so wrong with females wanting to improve their own appearance...and what is so wrong with guys wanting to see a beautiful body. Don't tell me that males are the only ones that ogle the opposite sex.

Perhaps we need to know a bit more about the nature of this "contest".

It says "self development". The article below says:

"This program offers training in many important areas such as public speaking, time management, modelling, fitness, nutrition, wardrobe, body image and self defence."

The question is, should it drop the modelling, fitness, nutrition, wardrobe and body image parts because they are too closely aligned with "beauty" contests.

The other question is why are there not similar contests for guys. Or are there?

The contest, btw, is for teens between 16 and 19. In people's minds, does that make it worse or better or does not matter?

http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_cariboo/quesnelobserver/community/35429149.html

http://www.opinion250.com/news/53/swimsuit

Oh, just in case, I am easily the best looking dude here.

http://www.willersproducts.co.uk/images/limages/old%20man%20hair%20web.jpg

my point is that after years of having political correctness pounded into us, there are still these hold overs from a by-gone era that reinforces the view that females are only capable of looking good and not much else, and there are few if any similar "contest" for males. Of course that would mean a womens' division of the NHL, the MLB, and the NBA. Oh wait, there was a WNBA, but nobody watched it cause there was no swim suite event and it was claimed the skill level was never there.

Political correctness means that old stereo types are undesirable and should not be continued. Yet, this discussion is about just such a thing.

another point is to get people talking about it in an open, safe discussion.

Didn't we just have a Mr. Mardi Gras pageant in this city? I don't recall seeing or reading any protests about that.
If you're going to call it, call it both ways or not at all.

Don't know of too many people that care about political correctness,it is just two words that mean nothing.

Any one who believes that we as a society don't judge & value people (male & female)
by their looks is foolish & naive. Loki you nailed it, political correctness was "pounded" at us, but had very little to do with replacing stereotypes & alot to do with control of peoples thoughts & actions.
Loki, have you ever attended a Ladies Night featuring exotic male dancers? If not I would suggest doing so purely as an
observational exercise. Then come back & report how these women of all walks of life behaved. Ask any doorman or bartender
how it is that seemingly polite, professionals can turn into ravening animals at the sight of a well built, good
looking man.
Humans are attracted to looks, science bears this out. You may not like it but that is the way it has always been & always will be. The trick is to control some of the baser instincts.

Beesknees you really have to get a life.
Go hug a tree or something useful.

One simple solution to this problem would be for the womem who participate in these contests to quit participating. If not then I suggest that women who have problems with it, take it up with the women on stage, and get of the backs of the guys.

Have a nice day.

Jeez...why is everyone so bitchy today??
You guys all got PMS or what?
It's just a dumb contest,no big deal,all above board...it just doesn't matter!

I suggest that women who have a problem with these contests take the issue up with the women who participate in the contests, rather than blaming the men.

Without the women participation, there would be no contests.

Is this a situation where one group of women think that they know what is best for another group of women???? Settle it among yourselfs, and leave the men out of it.

Andy...they are always like this