Top three reasons why next american idol judge should be outsourced from India

by: bryansmith

Wed Mar 03, 2010 at 05:06:45 AM MST

Here are few reasons why an Indian would make the cut for the next American Idol judge:

1.Save on huge pay checks with an Indian judge

Now, we come to the real reason why outsourcing an Indian judge makes perfect business sense. You don't have to pay your Indian judge $36 million-per-season. In fact, you can just pay him 1/10th of Simon Cowell's salary and a free two-way ticket to LA from Mumbai. A visa to continue to work in US after the season's is over is all the incentive an Indian judge will need. Now, that's huge savings for the show, isn't it?

2.Everything else is being outsourced from India, so why not this?

From custom software development to call center support. From clothes to shoes to toys. Many things are outsourced from India for the US markets. Indian Java programmers are working on US banking software; Indian web designers are working on American e-commerce websites; Indian dressmakers make clothes for American women; so, an Indian judging on American Idol will only be the next progressive step. What say you?

3.A slumdog judge is what American Idol really needs!

Did you see how A.R.Rahman appears on every other award show these days - be it the Baftas or the Oscars or the Grammys - and collects a few of those coveted statutes every time. And now the whole world talks about Indian film music. It's simply called the 'Slumdog Millionaire' effect. American Idol, too, can ride on this 'Slumdog Millionaire effect' to boost its popularity ratings, by outsourcing an Indian judge.

Author Bio:

I work as a web designer in toronto web design company . Writing about outsourcing and indian software outsourcing is one of my passion.

Should We Ask Ourselves Why the Texas Plane Incident Occurred?

by: Matt Singer

Fri Feb 19, 2010 at 10:57:53 AM MST

Matt Yglesias has a useful meditation on the incident that I'd recommend, but I think going a step further and asking ourselves about the other frustrations here are fair.

I read most of the "manifesto" posted by the alleged pilot yesterday and a number of things popped out at me. Some of it was simply the libertarian populism disdainful of both big government and big corporations. But a lot of it was someone saying if government can take care of all of these big companies, why the hell can't it do anything for someone like me?

I've spent the last week preparing business tax returns for DP Productions LLP, the very small business I run with a friend producing Montana is for Badasses merchandise. The operation basically produces a little beer money, has assets under $5,000 and gross revenue well under $10,000 per year. I've still got to tackle something like 5 federal and state tax forms that total about 15 pages in length, mostly of duplicative information (and these forms have hundreds of pages of fairly dense instructions). It strikes me as pretty absurd. And I think anyone else who has tried to do their own taxes would come to much the same conclusion.

There are safety net questions in this incident. Making sure people hit hard by economic situations often outside their control have access to support would probably reduce these sorts of incidents. But there's a form of government reform here that could also help. It is less about making the government smaller and more about making it work for people instead of the other way around.

I heard recently that one reason taxes are so complicated is that companies that make tax software actively lobby to keep it complicated so people have to buy their products. The fact that members of Congress don't laugh such lobbyists out of their office (assuming this story isn't apocryphal) is unreal.

Building Power Lines

by: Matt Singer

Mon Feb 01, 2010 at 13:16:50 PM MST

Some of this is that we really did all sorts of stupid by deregulating and selling off some of the biggest assets in the state, meaning that our rates went up and Montanans aren't making the profits from jacked up rates.

The flip side is, as someone concerned about global warming, I'm not clear how we really use Montana's wind and solar potential to make a significant dent in fossil fuel usage without building out the grid. And wind and solar can generate, at least, some royalties for land owners in affected areas.

But what does that mean for in-state rates? Good question. They might very well go up. Without the grid, Montana also can't take advantage of innovations that may lower prices nationally.

My gut, honestly, is that once deregulated, we might as well build out the technology that makes all the effects real.

Bleh. Tell me why I'm wrong.

Schweitzer on Republican Fundraising Letter:They want someone who can actually balance a budget

by: Matt Singer

Tue Jan 26, 2010 at 10:35:15 AM MST

Montana Schools Doing Well

by: Matt Singer

Thu Jan 21, 2010 at 14:15:53 PM MST

Montana was recognized for increasing student achievement in reading and math for both American Indian and White students over the past six years. Montana was also one of six states recognized for achieving significant progress for low-income students. The state can point to gaps between low-income students and higher-income students that are among the smallest in the nation.

We Have to Close Polling Places Because...Uh....Uh....ADA!!!!!!

by: Matt Singer

Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 17:08:55 PM MST

Murdock said while folks may be resistant to the change initially, the move would help streamline the election process and save the county money.

"The world's changed in Gallatin County," Murdock said Tuesday. "Instead of 28,000 people, we have 100,000 people. It would have cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars to make [all the non-compliant polling places] ADA-compatible."

Sigh...

Not that Missoula is faring much better. Jean Curtiss is very enthusiastically explaining what her job ain't in this morning's Missoulian. Success for Missoula County's elections office would apparently be 3 voters with no allegations of fraud. Good to know.

Update -- And this is statement is like a line from a John Toole Kennedy novel:

"The biggest problem is people are having a problem understanding what the problem is," she said.

Smurfit-Stone Closing; Big Hit to Missoula Economy

by: Matt Singer

Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 10:39:07 AM MST

In specific terms, the plant closure means the loss of 417 high-paying jobs, with an average annual salary of $70,000.

"Those jobs represent about 4 percent of the Missoula's economy," Barkey said. "In terms of what it represents for the economy - that's about a $45 million loss annually.

The only bright spot in the dark day was the fact that employees will receive benefits under the Trade Assistance Act - but only because those federal benefits were approved within the past year during the plant's last round of layoffs.

As the day wore on, as Houseman went from one management meeting to the next, taking short breaks to explain the news and its repercussions to his fellow union members and coworkers, his exhaustion and heavy heart could be heard in his voice.

Weary, he talked about upcoming meetings with Smurfit representatives to discuss severance packages and about the many union meetings to come.

His voiced cracked, and Houseman paused for a moment to say quietly: "This is not a very good day."

Who Knew?

by: CharleyCarp

Sun Dec 06, 2009 at 09:42:59 AM MST

Are they looking past Biden and hoping for Nancy Pelosi?

Do they have some argument for the invalidity of the Twelfth Amendment?  Are we to see Twelvers join the Birthers, Deathers, Ninthers and Tenthers?

Thank You Straight, White Women!

by: dgsma

Thu Nov 19, 2009 at 19:12:39 PM MST

In the cities, ACT UP raised awareness of our anger and sadness, Gay Men's advocacy groups sprang from pain and suffering and LGBT Social Service Agencies were born out of frustration and feelings of helplessness in the face of open discrimination by established services. Our Lesbian sisters became our mothers and nurses. Our mothers and sisters became our advocates and protectors. And those very brave souls who self-identified as Positive became our Pioneers.

In rural America, it was different

Analysis: Additional Insight on Health Care Reform from MSU-Billings Poll

by: Montana Cowgirl

Tue Nov 17, 2009 at 19:44:56 PM MST

One way to interpret the results would be to conclude that the health care reform plan of a Democratic president is profoundly unpopular to the people of Montana.

A second way to look at the poll results, however, would be to compare the approaches to reform of the two major figures who have been the most outspoken on this issue: Senator Baucus (who has tirelessly worked on this issue and should be commended for his efforts) and Governor Schweitzer (who has been an unabashed proponent of progressive reform, praising the Canadian system in the media and at public events-including at President Obama's town hall meeting in Bozeman.)

Thoughts?

The Choice to be Gay

by: Matt Singer

Fri Oct 30, 2009 at 10:31:45 AM MST

Read it.

Lest we forget...Obama on Baucus

by: Rafiki

Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 16:16:38 PM MST

Also, on the biggest sticking point: public plan. Aside from the fact that public plan isn't the crux of health care reform (worth fighting for? yes! the ONLY thing going on in health care reform? certainly not), I challenge you to find a quote from Baucus saying he personally opposes the public option. He's said consistently that he doesn't think it can pass the Senate, but never that he personally opposes it (it was in his November white paper, if you recall).

It comes down to this: Baucus's job was to pass a moderate bill through committee. He took a lot of crap from us in doing that. But it's out of committee now, and 4/5 bills have public plan. As a result, it's highly unlikely that any bill that emerges from conference WON'T have a public plan. Baucus, Reid, and Obama knew this all along. The GOP probably did too, and thats why they dragged their feet so much with Baucus. Frustrating as it may have been, we'd be a little naive about the process to focus all this ire on Baucus.

Just came across the MT Dems list serve:

Statement of President Obama, Oct. 2, 2009

"Thanks to the unyielding commitment of Senator Baucus and members of the Senate Finance Committee, we have reached another milestone in our effort to pass health insurance reform. Over the past two weeks, the Committee has engaged in long hours of thoughtful deliberation and vigorous debate. They have considered hundreds of amendments, and incorporated many of the best ideas from both parties. And they have shown a spirit of civility, a seriousness of purpose, and a willingness to compromise that embodies our democratic process at its very best.

"The Finance Committee's work is the culmination of tireless efforts over the better part of this year by the five committees and many members of Congress involved in health reform - holding numerous hearings and bi-partisan meetings; reaching out to stakeholders across the spectrum; and striving to find common ground. As a result of this work, we are now closer than ever before to finally passing reform that will offer security to those who have coverage and affordable insurance to those who don't. We have a long way to go, but I am confident that as we move forward, we will continue to engage with each other as productively as the members of the Finance Committee, and will get reform passed this year."

Let's lay off Baucus for being pragmatic about things.  

For the Record

by: Matt Singer

Mon Jul 20, 2009 at 22:04:53 PM MST

I'm not leaving Forward Montana. I've had some other opportunities come my way and I've had conversations with some people about those opportunities. Since I don't think all the ins-and-outs of my life are fit for public consumption, I'll leave it at that.

Other question I've gotten asked a lot lately is whether I'm happy about this outcome. I'll just say that I'm very happy.

We've just added a bunch of talented board members, have an enthusiastic teams, and some big plans coming up in the near future.

Other note: I'm leaving for a long-planned vacation soon, floating the Grand Canyon with my family. While down there, I plan to open it for oil drilling and pee in the river. Half of that statement is true.

A (Mostly) Meaningless Post on Health Care

by: Matt Singer

Sat Jul 18, 2009 at 12:02:07 PM MST

If we're serious over the long-term about health, cost reduction, and financial security, some mix of

1. universally provided (and heavily pushed) primary care through a NHS model
2. HSAs funded through refundable tax credits with auto-deposits into retirement accounts if money is unused and
3. a single-payer high deductible insurance system that insures everyone against financial ruin in the face of accidents.

Of course, I haven't really thought through how this system would integrate with the ideas of health homes and other innovations beyond the fee-for-service structure that we're now discussing. It is possible (and quite believable) that the bills being discussed in Congress are better than this little system that I dreamed up at the age of 22.

As noted above, my opinion doesn't mean much, so I'll keep advocating for the Baucus/Obama/Kennedy/House framework that also strikes me as pretty smart, just as I would probably be advocating for single-payer if it had the momentum right now. Mark T called me malleable in comments as though it was an insult. I'm taking it as a compliment.

Your Stupidity is Not Proof of Someone Else's Harassment

by: Matt Singer

Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 13:59:19 PM MST

Trevis Butcher, Montanans in Action's treasurer and chief spokesperson, called Unsworth's findings "spurious" and "absurd." He said the investigation was part of a political vendetta stemming from Butcher's past support of term limits for Montana politicians.

"The Commissioner's office uses what are supposed to be the people's courts," Butcher said in a statement Monday, "to say, 'We'll ignore you and the signatures of 125,609 registered Montana voters. We'll make you waste hundreds of thousands dollars in legal fees. And we'll continue to do things just the way we want. Welcome to Helena, your state Capitol. Oh, and if you happen to get one by us, like term limits, we will punish you by any other means at our disposal then, now, and in the future.'"

Here's the good news for Montanans:

"I honestly see this as a witch hunt, and we're going to stand up to it. Our legal team is right now reviewing this, and we'll obviously be prepared for whatever is ahead," Butcher said. "We really believe a citizen's right to free speech is fundamental to our form of government. This form of harassment is a real abuse to our constitutional rights."

The full 105 page PDF is available for review online. If anyone finds time to read it, let us know: unfair harassment or Dennis Unsworth doing his job.

Web 2.0 on Steroids: A FREE Portal to Netroots Nation

by: Netroots Nation in Second Life

Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 16:33:02 PM MST

This week our friends at Democracy For America are announcing another round of winners for their Netroots Nation scholarship contest. If you weren't on the list of winners and you can't find the money/time/energy to get to Pittsburgh August 13 to 16 for the convention, don't despair...there is another way!

For the third year in a row we'll be taking advantage of the rich multimedia capabilities of Second Life to bring you live streaming audio and video from Netroots Nation right to your own computer monitor. Through Second Life we're able to bring you not only streaming video, but also real time discussion and participation in the panels from the comfort of your own home, exclusive online panels and information displays from nonprofit organizations, online retailers and great progressive companies. Oh, and did we mention it's free?

Join us over the fold and we'll walk you through the particulars of how to participate and how to support our work with sponsorships.

Site Slowness Improved

by: Matt Singer

Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 10:24:57 AM MST

Montana Republican Chairmanship Up for Grabs

by: Matt Singer

Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 09:26:08 AM MST

[Rick] Breckenridge [of Proctor] said he wants the Republican Party to refocus on the conservative message that led to a groundswell of involvement in tax day "tea parties." [...]

Breckenridge is also touting the enthusiasm created by the Ron Paul supporters who got involved last year in an effort to carry the Montana primary for the former presidential candidate. He also will make a point to emphasize the anti-abortion portion of the party platform, alongside the key message of limited government.

"I think there is some fear of the enthusiasm that Dr. Paul has energized," he said. "But once we get everything working, I think the finger-pointing will stop."

Breckenridge's more mainstream opponent is Will Deschamps, a Missoula Republican I met briefly when we sat on a youth participation panel together a year ago or so.

Part of it is getting Republicans focused on the core message of fiscal conservatism that binds them all together. He said Democrats have done a better job of sticking together on the same message.

"We have to find some palatable place where we can go to and all move forward. The my-way-or-the-highway method doesn't work," Deschamps said. "I think the Republican message is the message that resonates best with the Montana voters. The problem has been communication and getting the message out and crafting it in a way that people listen to it."

What's likely to happen? I don't know. I'd guess Deschamps is the establishment pick (confirmed a bit by a visit to his Facebook group where he gets support from Conrad Burns, Jon Bennion, Duane Ankney, Liane Johnson, Bowen Greenwood, and Tim Fox). But this will be another test of the organizing prowess of the Ron Paul sector of the party. Who knows who has been putting in the legwork on central committees over the past year? (Hint: not me.)

Teabaggers Demanding More Government Spending

by: Matt Singer

Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 08:30:00 AM MST

Very Cool: Sierra Club Goes to Bat on Employee Free Choice Act

by: Matt Singer

Thu May 28, 2009 at 16:40:32 PM MST

This reminds me a bit of being at the state AFL-CIO convention and watching Pat Williams close his speech with a pitch for wilderness.

There are, at times, nearly inevitable disagreements between labor unions and the environmental movement, but as one friend and I discussed it, the alternative we face is clear cuts to forests and paychecks.

So when I see conservationists and unions working together, I feel a bit better about where our country is headed.