The 2007 series of Indonesian Idol will soon begin just as American Idol, which has a large following here, enters its final episodes. Indonesians have long dismissed the value of this reality show as an effective way of spotting talent. None of the previous four (or is it five) winners, like past winners of rival AFI Indonesia (copied from Mexico’s La Academia), have been able to cash in on their victory, and few survive the grueling show biz challenges in order to become second-rate TV actors.

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The world has waited far too long for America to provide the necessary leadership to stop global warming. The situation has deteriorated and earth has gotten warmer (with all of its ecological consequences), while America keeps arguing that big developing countries like China and India should contribute more to the efforts to arrest global warming. We have waited long enough to know that neither side will back down, and that the debate in the coming years will still be confined to “I’ll do my part if you do yours” instead of discussing the actions that need to be taken.

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