BEAUTIFUL IRONY


Sweden, probably the most progressively permissive of nations, will not participate in this year's Miss Universe pageant. The competition is just too old fashioned:

"The modernization of the international competition has been significantly slower than the Swedish contest, although we see signs of change on horizon. Until the parent organization catches up we have chosen not to participate this year," organizer Panos Papadopoulos said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Miss Universe competition is too old fashioned in that contestants are required to briefly appear on stage wearing swimsuits. For which crime the current Miss Sweden could be stripped of her title -- she appeared in a swimsuit in men's magazine FHM. You see, Miss Sweden isn't expected to be beautiful and smart, she should be "intelligent and well-educated". It's an inner beauty thing.