democracy with ryan secrist? well as you probably know the "american idol" finale was wednesday night. congrats contest singing competition. cnn looked at how knockoffs around the world are teaching democracy and meritocracy. the united arab of em em the rais have something called millions poet and afghanistan has afghan star. and then let's stone the singing gays to death. not one of my favorites. and as the writer notes, idle competitions create a unique opportunity for anybody to step up and be heard. one of the key words is the words i can't pronounce. to have an open platform which is what these guys are. it allows anybody to enter and rise literally on the basis of your own individual talent. this is a very radical concept. yes, it is their own talent.