You’ve all seen the video.  Now let’s parse her answer.  Remember the questions was, why couldn’t one-fifth of Americans locate our country on a world map. And here’s how Miss South Carolina responded:

I personally believe that U.S. Americans…

As opposed to U.S. Algerians, for example…

…are unable to do so because, uh, some people out there in our nation don’t have maps…

Really?  People in America don’t have access to maps?  None in the schools?

…and, uh, I believe that our education like such as in South Africa…

It is clear at the point that she was trying to score points with the judges by mentioning South Africa.  You can tell her friends said, "Listen, no matter what they ask, be sure to mention South Africa.  It shows that you know all about South Africa."

…and, uh, the Iraq…

Same here with Iraq.  Probably should have dropped the "the" though.

…everywhere like, such as…

Let’s see.  Mentioned South Africa, check.  Iraq, check.  Where is she going?  Is she going to work in AIDS?

…and I believe that they should,…

Well, yes, they should.  If only we knew who "they" were (South Africans? The Iraqs? U.S. Americans?) and what "they" should do….

…our education over here in the U.S….

Ah, bring it back to the question.  Good for you, Miss South Carolina.

…should help…

Well, yes.  It sounds almost like a coherent thought.  Our education over here in the U.S. should help…. who?!?  You’re almost there, honey….

…the U.S., er, should help South Africa…

Oooooh.  So close.  Almost made a complete thought with "Our education over here in the U.S. should held the U.S." (not a particularly insightful thought, but a complete one), and then you mess it up by suggesting that the education over here in the U.S. should help South Africa.

…and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries…

Dig that hole deeper.  Now notice that she has used the phrase "the Iraq" again, which makes about as much sense as saying "I live in the South Carolina".  The fact that she used the phrase "the Iraq" twice, shows that she was not just simply suffering from a case of the jitters, but she is, in fact, totally blonde.

…so we will be able to build up our future for our children.

Well, if that’s not a cliche stock answer, I don’t know what is.

So let’s boil it down to its essence:

Question:  Why is it, do you thing, that one-fifth of Americans cannot locate the United States on a map?

Answer:  Because they don’t have maps.  Education of U.S. Americans should help South Africa, Iraq, and Asia, which in turn will build up the future for our children.

Hard to believe she only was thrid runner-up.

The correct answer to the question, by the way, is this: "Fox News"