Miss Universe says being kidnapped taught her to remain poised under pressure

[Jenna]

The new Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, was once kidnapped in her homeland Venezuela and says the experience taught her to remain poised under pressure.

She declined to discuss her kidnapping, which occurred a year and a half ago, but took advantage of the occasion to call for global peace.

"I want to raise my voice and tell the world that violence is not the answer," she said.

The NBC show was hosted by talk show star Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Melanie Brown and broadcast live to hundreds of millions of viewers in 170 countries.

This year's contestants spanned a wide range of experiences and aspirations.
Miss Albania was a professional basketball player. Miss Argentina says she has paranormal experiences. Miss Antigua & Barbuda is fascinated by snakes. Miss Angola was in a plane crash while trying to escape a conflict during her country's civil war.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g...cGOWwD91TFGI00

Miss Venezuela Wins Miss Universe
Monday, Jul. 14, 2008 By AP/BEN STOCKING

[pgg]

Maybe she should have had a right to protect herself

[Cidp24]

Aww, how original, she wants "world peace".

[pgg]

Aww, how original, she wants "world peace".

That same thought crossed my mind. I wondered if it was hard and stressful to come up with that line.

[Ducky]

Contestant1: I would have to say, world peace.
Contestant2: Definitely, world peace.
Contestant3: That's easy. World peace.
Contestant4: World peace.
Interviewer: What is the one most important thing our society needs?
Gracie Lou: That would be harsher punishment for parole violators, Stan.
Gracie Lou: And, world peace.
Interviewer: Thank you, Gracie Lou.

[Jenna]

The new Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, was once kidnapped in her homeland Venezuela and says the experience taught her to remain poised under pressure.

She declined to discuss her kidnapping, which occurred a year and a half ago, but took advantage of the occasion to call for global peace.

Miss Angola was in a plane crash while trying to escape a conflict during her country's civil war.

I just wonder how the other contestants managed to figure out that world peace is the answer without having been kidnapped or having their plane crash while trying to escape a civil war.

[MacLean]

Glad the young lady survived her ordeal, but surely she could do better than the cliche.

[Jenna]

I think it would be funny if beauty pageant contestants had specific, controversial political platforms, and then had to debate each other while wearing swimsuits or national costumes. Even better if their goofy celebrity judges had to explain why they voted for a particular contestant and her platform.

[dadyswat]

She must have watched Miss Congeniality.

[pgg]

I think it would be funny if beauty pageant contestants had specific, controversial political platforms, and then had to debate each other while wearing swimsuits or national costumes. Even better if their goofy celebrity judges had to explain why they voted for a particular contestant and her platform.

I'd watch then if they did this. But only if they to the Q&A in the swimsuits

[CTR man]

I like your answer better, maclean.

[Jenna]

Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown: "And now, Miss New York will debate Miss Texas on the topic of gun control...."

And for the Miss Universe pageant:

Jerry Springer: "And now, Miss Israel will debate Miss Iran on the topic of Palestinian statehood."


Hey Jerry Springer was the actual host of the pageant, so we're already halfway there.

[Rhino]

Ducky: You read my mind. WTF is it with beauty pagent contestants and world peace?