Surprise! Miss Mexico Becomes Miss Universe

Let's just figure it's all just a coincidence that a young lady from Mexico won this pageant held last night in Las Vegas. But hey, who am I to complain? Well, except for what appears to be a slight imperfection just below her right knee, she looks well equipped.

A 22-year-old Mexico woman won the Miss Universe pageant Monday night after donning a flowing red gown and telling an audience it's important to teach kids family values.

Jimena Navarrete of Guadalajara was first contestant to answer an interview question onstage and the last of 83 standing in the headline-grabbing pageant on the Las Vegas Strip.

"I want to give my parents a big hug," she said at a news conference after the pageant. "There was a lot of effort and a lot of sacrifice."

The train of her single-strap dress floated behind her like a sheet as she walked during the evening gown competition. Before that, she smiled in a violet bikini as she confidently strutted across the stage.

Asked by Olympic gold-medal figure skater Evan Lysacek how she felt about unsupervised Internet use, Navarrete said the Internet is important but parents need to be careful and watch over their kids.

Rima Fakih probably blew her chances when she had the audacity to side with the overwhelming majority of Americans on the Ground Zero mosque issue.

Some reporters asked about the ominous specter of SB 1070.

She was cheered by Spanish-speaking reporters clamoring to talk with her after the pageant, and twice answered questions about Arizona's recent immigration law.

"Every country has the right to impose and enact their laws," she said, wearing her new sash and sparkling tiara. "But I tell you that all the Mexicans and the Latins that are living here in the United States are hardworking people — people who want to improve on their quality of life."

Speaking of which, here's a humorous take on what followed Miss Navarette's crowning.