Last week's American Idol shows left me wondering:  Could Barbra Streisand have won this competition?  This week, the top 12 semifinalists were chosen.  Two of the best singers were eliminated.  The absolute worst, Sanjaya Malakar, on the other hand, has made the final 12.  While it's obvious America respects voice, it is also obvious other factors are considered and are maybe more important.  AI has yet to produce a voice comparable to Streisand's or Celine Dion's or Karen Carpenter's or Julie Andrews or...  Still, would Barbra or any of these legendary singers survived this show?  I don't think so.  So far, only two idols appear to have any hope for longevity:  the original Idol Kelly Clarkson and the new Country Queen Carrie Underwood.  BTW, was it me or did Carrie look like she really didn't care to be singing on American Idol.  Her performance this Thursday was truly mechanical.  Will it be long before she fires her AI management company?  I don't think so.