Larry King and the Beauty Queen
Larry, who has probably settled some cases over the years being a man in the limelight, was ready. King insisted he didn't want to know any confidential terms; he wanted to know her motive, or in other words, why did she settle? This was a great question because it isn't likely that "why" she settled is part of the agreement. What she settled for is clearly off limits but why she decided to give up her lawsuit was another issue altogether. While some speculate that it is because of the revelation that she made a sex tape and that it was about to go public (this would, of course, destroy the image she nurtured at the paegant amidst the gay marriage issue), this is irrelevant. My issue is, was King within legal bounds when he asked for the motive? I would argue - yes, and that Prejean's avoidance of the issue was dishonest and slippery. For example, I sue someone for $5 million dollars for discrimination. During the litigation, I learn a few things about the person I sued, and come to realize that even though I could win easy, the person is not as bad as I had believed. In fact, I believe they have made great strides to improve themselves. They offer me $100,000, and I take it because I honestly believe they have made great strides to stop discriminating. The parties agree to keep it confidential - the terms. When ask why I settled, I can say, I settled because I believe settlement is the best course of action for all parties; I am motivated, in other words, by a change of attitude towards the defendant. Is this a breach? Did the beauty queen avoid a fair question? |
So Larry King asked Carrie Prejean, Miss USA, why she settled her lawsuit against Miss USA Paegant officials. Ms. Prejean, already under fire for her comments indicating she was opposed to gay marriage, slip slided away from King's inquiry. Ms. Prejean told Larry he was being "inappropriate" and that the settlement terms were confidential. She took off her microphone and ruined herself.