<% ballot="33749" ' Check nothing is broken broken = 0 if ballot = "" then broken = 1 end if set vt = Server.Createobject("mps.Vote") openresult = vt.Open("Vote", "sa", "") ' Created object? if IsObject(vt) = TRUE then ' Opened db? if openresult = True AND broken = 0 then ballotresult = vt.SetBallotName(ballot) ' read the vote votetotal=(vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "yes")+vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "no")) if votetotal <> 0 then ' there are votes in the database numberyes = vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "yes") numberno = vt.GetVoteCount(ballot, "no") percentyes = Int((numberyes/votetotal)*100) percentno = 100 - percentyes ' fix graph so funny graph heights dont appear 'if percentyes = 0 then ' percentyes = 1 'end if 'if percentno = 0 then ' percentno = 1 'end if else ' summut went wrong frig it numberyes = 0 numberno = 0 percentyes = 50 percentno = 50 end if end if end if %> Votes so far:

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Miss World is no longer the annual event that it used to be. Things have changed for women at home and at work. It is degrading when they are still ogled by men. I would find it easier if there was a Mr World.
Kay Corrigan, Britain

I was watching the show in a house about 50-50 male and female. The men were branded sexists for watching the show. After five minutes of rubbish, we tried to turn it over. We were slated and one of the girls stole the remote, and we had to sit through 2 hours of rubbish.
Ronan Friel, Ireland

Why target only beauty pageants? Why not the portrayal of women in movies, or prostitution. If people protested against these more than they do beauty pageants it might actually bring down crime-related sex.
Shriram Ramamurthy, USA

If you've got it, flaunt it.
If you've got brains, cogitate.
If you've got money, ostentate.
If you've got beauty, why shouldn't you exploit it ?
Those poor women worked so hard to get the right figures on the weighing machine, surely not with the intention of degrading themselves. Nobody forced them. they're enthusiastic, excited, happy like an architect showing off his new design, a scientist unveiling a new discovery, athletes exhibiting their agility.
Why should one deny them that pleasure by calling something they enjoy and something which does no harm physical or otherwise to anybody, degrading.
Sachin Gupta, India

Women should be allowed the choice of entering into such competitions. This is not a sexist view point, as surely the denial of opportunities for women in any field of work is illegal, and to criticise one form of employment over another on a basis of personal opinion is outdated.
Marc, Britain

The problem is that such contests over the period have become more of brawn related than brain related. A facelift to this contest could be given by including more personality related rounds. I personally feel that currently these contests are more of a marketing event for cosmetics etc. in countries like India. The contest could be an excellent opportunity for girls to make their mark in their respective areas.
Nirjhari Chhaya, India

It is degrading only if the majority of women feel it to be, not if a minority of women judge it to be. The only answer can surely be a referendum or a large-scale survey.
Chapman Burrows, UK

This comes down to a question of basic values. "Contests" such as this, along with portrayals of the ideal look in the fashion world, only serves to perpetuate the myth that women are only worth something if they are young, long-legged and beautiful. What a woman may be able to offer in terms of intellect and reason seems to be of no importance. While such meat markets exist, women and men will never reach a state of equality in any area. It's time to reassert the values that we wish to instil into our children and future generations.
Cary, Scotland

There should be absolutely no focus on outer beauty. That's not what's truly important. It should be about women's intelligence, views, talents, accomplishments, and strenghts. .....and in response to Jason Bannikoff: Yes, I do think the Mr. Universe pageant is just as degrading as the Miss World pageant.
Leah Tedesco, USA

The contest is not at all degarading to anyone. It is a good way to see the most beautiful of all women. A person with a good mind is appreciated everywhere. Why shouldn't we appreciate equally girls with beauty?
Sadaf, Pakistan

I fail to see why people find it degrading. The women who take part in the Miss World contest want to take part, they aren't coerced into it. If other women find it degrading then don't watch!
James Sheridan, United Kingdom

The Miss World competition is not, in itself, degrading to women. All societies have standards of beauty (and intelligence). Almost all societies hold 'competitions' on these matters. I would be surprised if the majority of respondents to this poll thought, for example, that the Mr Universe contest was degrading to men - despite the fact that this competition provides objectified, unrealistic and one-dimensional representations of males to the same (or greater) extent as the Miss world competition. Does the Miss World competition contribute to a society which limits and distorts role models for women, which then contributes to women's continued lack of equality? Yes.
Jason Bannikoff, Australia

To single out the Miss World contest as degrading is remarkably narrow. Look at the glorified anorexia on the runways at any high fashion designer's shows of their newest lines. Sure, blame Miss World, but don't omit the fact that the women in the Miss World pagaent are merely aiming for the runways of the designers of fashion worldwide.
B Browning, USA

I feel that all such pageants are degrading to women and hurt both men and women by their encouragement to view and turn women into sexual objects. Perhaps most of all it is harmful to young minds trying to establish their identity.
Ann Kennedy, USA

Of course, I'm a man and I enjoy looking at beautiful women, but, as with the abortion question, the only opinions that really count in this debate, in my view, are those of women.
G.J.Bailey, Hong Kong

I personally believe that the Miss World contest does nothing towards the upliftment of women. Instead, it just projects them as showcases of beauty which is more of interest to the male libido. The contest does not evaluate the women at all. The questions are so predictable and the answers seem like canned responses. I do not believe that such contests help in getting women prominence in a male-dominated world. I strongly feel that Miss World would get its relevance with its name if it stops hinging on showcase beauty and starts looking at ways of really evaluating women....on the basis of their skillset and their approach.
Ajay Chakrapani, India

What we have in this so called "Beauty Pageant", are woman forced to follow the slippery path of self-degradation. A path I must add neither enlightens or rewards their inner properties. As a male, I feel ashamed and disgusted at the way we still view women. Not just in primitive displays such as this, but also in day to day life, from work, home, travel and social settings. This can not be allowed to continue.
Roger Robinson, England

Although beauty pageants do not degrade woman as such, they are used to generate money for the organisers. Whether the Miss country or world really do any thing for mankind is questionable.
Ajit Singh, India

We were all born naked so I don't see the problem. We should be proud of our bodies. People always start complaining about competitions like Miss World, but the fact is that the women involved are doing it simply because they are attractive and they want to. I don't think Miss World is degrading to women, its hardly pornographic! And all I can say to the competitors is "if you have got it flaunt it!"
Jennifer, United Kingdom

The Miss World contest degrades woman because it tends to portray women as materialistic objects. Appreciating beauty and respecting women is good but the way it is projected in the Miss World contest is wrong and unethical. For example, the questions that the contestants are asked are ridiculous and the answers that they give are equally ridiculous, not because they (contestants) are stupid but because they answer it that way if they want to win the contest. It is not clear to me how people regard all this as upliftment of women, and giving them equal status as men. I am sure 99% of the men (including me) who watch the contest, do so for their carnal pleasures, and not because of a desire to improve the condition to womankind in this world. There are several other ways to improve the condition and uplift the status of women in this world.
Akash, India

I believe that all women want to be adored, admired and praised for the femininity. These underlying factors are the reasons behind the Miss World contest, not merely men slobbering over women.
Michael Agyei-Boateng, United Kingdom

Since, it is not only a contest / pageant of beauty, but also, of the "personality"(including intellectual / mental qualities ) of the participants; the focus /emphasis should be given to the "personality", rather than "beauty". It would be more appropriate to call it "Miss World- Personality Contest"?
Sam Joseph, India

To celebrate woman, there is no need for a contest. Women should not be put on a pedestal and admired like an object of beauty. Women are human, and these human qualities are what should be considered. What is needed is to acknowledge that there are many beautiful, talented, and wonderful women across the globe; each with a different kind of beauty because beauty speaks in many different languages.
Pauline Orendain, Philippines

Miss world contest is not something that girls are proud of, it is a symbol of sex, all the girls who participate in it say that they will do some thing for humanity but in the end they all attach show business to it.
Junaid Malik, Pakistan

On the contrary, I consider the Miss.World Pageant not a denigration but an elevation of women the world over. The qualities espoused in the participants of this pageant are those to which women the world over can aspire.
Gene Rawlins, Canada

Its not as if the women are forced to participate. It is done of their own free will and if a group of women wish to parade in a competion of beauty then I am all for that. As far as I can see the only people who complain against such events are the feminist types who believe in women's freedom, just remember the contenders CHOOSE to enter of their own FREE will.
Jim Liddell, Cyprus

I believe the winner receives a number of worthwhile prizes. I fail to see how being considered attractive, and getting showered with gifts, and probably a bright future is degrading. Excuse me, but in the 'old days' a person made the most of their abilities. Sour grapes, and misplaced indignation does nothing to alleviate true degradation in this world.
Zoomie, Canada

Whilst it is degrading to women, it is also racist to a point, as in order to win the women must have European features and figures. So if you do not have such features like most women in the world then you cannot be beautiful so we are told by the contest.
Njabulo.Mbele, United Kingdom

If every one thinks by displaying womens' bodies that achieves equality then we are in big trouble!
Ali Raouf, USA

It is a degradation. A chance for cosmetic companies to play up human vanity and make a bundle.
Ben Arasu, Canada

The Miss World Contest does not involve beauty alone since it also involves smartness. A beauty Queen is not only evaluated by her beauty but also on other factors too.
Muthuvenkataraman Ashwin, INDIA

By winning the crown Diana has showed that the beauty is not the monopoly of the west.
Rajiv Gupta, India

The Miss World pageant is inspiring and fun, in a world that is too sad and serious. Of course feminists will say the Miss World pageant objectifies and idealises women in a form that is unachievable and unattainable for most women. I do not agree with this. If a woman is unappealing according to popular values, she can always do something about it. She can do some exercise, stop eating junk, develop a bit of self respect.
Peter Dickerson, Australia

I think it's about time we showed how civilised we have become and stop parading women around like cattle.
Simon Jones, United Kingdom

People who are against Miss World contest are nothing but plain stupid and hypocrites. Clearly, they do not seem to understand the economic gains that comes with a world event such as this, to the host country. I really do not see a point where women are being degraded. Physical beauty is definitely an asset, and if one wishes to...show it. Get out of those hypocritical-closets and come to the real world.
Mahesh Venkat, United States

It's neither, depending on who you are. If women want to be in beauty pageants, that's their choice. But let's remember that these are like professional beauty contest winners, and everything in their lives have to be devoted to the contest in order to win. So they don't represent real women in any sense of the word, in my opinion. The only thing I object to is the continuing image we are giving young girls and boys, that physical beauty is the only thing a woman needs. As long as men (and women) judge each other by outer appearance, instead of by personality, we will have some form of beauty worship.
Judy Oak, USA

Is the Miss World contest degrading to women ? It is as degrading or uplifting as much as the act of any individual or small group is degrading or uplifting to the larger whole group. Individuals may illuminate or darken their part of the world by small things they do throughout the course of their lives. However, in general those things are over all usually either insignificant or they are used a spring boards to future success. Lets hope that the Miss World experience is indeed a spring board which all participants might use which results in their living a more full life than they might have without it.
David Longbottom, USA

For some of the smaller countries this is the only way they can get recognition and it may lead to good connections for some of these women who are not allowed the same freedom as in other sophisticated nations. But, I do not understand why these women need to wear swimsuits, and why it is required that they are to be unnaturally thin. The two later do send a negative message to the worlds women as a whole.
Kristina, USA.

These beauty pagaents are results of our hedonistic culture throughout the world.
J Paul Revere, USA

Certainly it's not degrading to women. It is not only a test for the body, but scrutinises the mind. To survive in the modern world both men and women have to be mentally tough. Being an Indian I am really proud that once again an Indian woman became Miss World. Hat off to you Diana Hayden and Aishwarya Rai.
Nataraj Shankaranarayana, India

It is rather sad that women seem to be gradually trivialising the concept of equality with men, even on very unique issues like this. The contest has never been between men and women, and to relate it to equality as some women have argued, to me , seems to miss and mess the point. The contest and concept in itself is not debasing, but as is being conducted now only suggests that the model woman is she that is able, close to indiscriminately, expose the sacred values of womanhood the most.
Linus Iorhaa, Nigeria

Hearty Congratulations to Miss. Diana. It is proud to be an Indian!
Sam Joseph, India

The fact that physical appearance plays perhaps the most important role in determining the winner - as they get no credit other than "staying in shape", is unfair to those who are far more talented but less endowed.
Suchismit Chakravorty, USA

I honestly think that a competition for beauty is very degrading for women of the 21century, as it concentrates on the physical too much. The real beauty that is inside is barely touched upon, hence I think that this kind of contest - the male sex way of giving women unimportant attention detracts from the matters that really matter.
Gkawar, Jordan

Beauty contests will not degrade women. Nature has many beautiful objects. Women are one of the most beautiful objects in the world. Iam not denegrating women as objects, but really appreciating the beauty of them. Beauty contests should only be seen as an appreciation of beauty.
Munawar Mohammed, Kuwait

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