A freak show?

I'm not sure this is serious but with Vietnam and Nha Trang destined to host the Miss Universe 2008 pageant in July - that info is kosher - Cambodia is being eyed up as the location for the 2009 Miss Landmine pageant. No, as I type it, I can't believe its a real competition. A contestant from Angola won this month's 2008 inaugural competition. As you might expect the pageant has drawn howls of protest from rights activists and feminists, who brand it colonialist, racist, sexist and exploitative. The organiser says that whilst some international aid agencies have also labelled it 'a freak show,' he denies the allegations, saying it raises landmine awareness and empowers female amputee participants. First, he will have to overcome the ban on beauty contests imposed by Hun Sen in September 2006. I for one hope the ban stays in place - there are far better ways to raise landmine awareness and empower female amputees such as stories like the female landmine clearing teams that show a sense of achievement, purpose and true courage. Others will retort all news is good news. I will leave you to decide.