Yes, it's true...I was horrified too when I saw this but, to quote my friend Bob...

"...Something disturbs me about the glee people are taking in this person's humiliation. It's hard to believe anyone could be this unaware, but I have some sympathy for an 18 yr old whose misfortune will be the top of the worldwide news for a couple of days & what that all means to her & her family. It's interesting that we take offense to her ridiculous and uninformed depiction of South Africa and Iraq, but have no trouble slamming all of South Carolina... One ignorant act does not give us liscense to stereotype others. I work with kids every day who do and say things that are alarming and uninformed. The answer is not to ridicule them in front of their friends, family...the world. I think commentary on what's wrong with beauty pageants and an educational system that has failed millions is in order...not personal attack. Please think of how an 18 yr. you know would feel".