… the schools without maps should DEFINITELY help people in Iraq and South Africa learn where Americans map unlabled… nope, lost it.

Let me know if you can figure out what the fuck she’s saying:

Miss South Carolina, at the Miss Teen USA 2007 pageant.

I found a transcript!

Q: Recent polls have shown a fifth of Americans can’t locate the U.S. on a world map. Why do you think this is?

During the pageant: “I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, um, some people out there in our nation don’t have maps and, uh, I believe that our, uh, education like such as, uh, South Africa and, uh, the Iraq and everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uh, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries, so we will be able to build up our future.”

Still don’t know what she’s TRYING to say…

USA Today has a bit of a story on her though; giving her a second chance to answer. Myself, I think her second chance answer is as bad as the first one (though it’s a bit more cohesive…). You don’t have to think real hard to come up with something about “the new global economy”, America’s role in the world and how today’s students are stewards of the great legacy that is their country, etc. etc. etc.

I’m sure you were stressed that first time through, but you’ve had time to think of something better - but what do we get instead?

On Today: “Personally, my friends and I, we know exactly where the United States is on a map. I don’t know anyone else who doesn’t. If the statistics are correct, I believe there should be more emphasis on geography in our education so people will learn how to read maps better.”

Stirring and relevant, it was not… :(