I'd have no problem with it really... currently on my street (about 3 blocks long) there is a Rabbi, a Baptist minister, two Islamic scholars (from UofT), party members from all the politcal parties in my riding... all in all each person is respectful of each other's beliefs and values, and they don't seek to impose them on each other... in fact there has been some interesting debates at some dinners.

The way I look at Cat Stevens is about as much of a threat as any "celebrity" that is devoted to there faith... yes everything they say is scrutinized and sometimes they make mistakes - I tend to judge people more by their actions and not their statements, Cat Stevens has supported numerous charities (both Islamic and otherwise) that do a great deal of aid through out the UK and even here in Canada... unfortunately some of his aid has reached radicals of his faith; much as I'm sure that some of my donations or work as unfortunately benifited radicals of mine... its all realtive.

Oh yeah... besides I'm a fan of some of his music :)

Having your plane rerouted because a 70's folk singer who advocated the killing of Salman Rushdie is aboard...ooo baby, baby, its a wild world.

*Cough*He's donated to *cough* terrorist organizations like Hamas and has relations with them.

-Rudey

I used to like his music - but the guy is involved in some questionable activitivies/organizations. I'm not surprised at all that he's red-flagged.

I keep giggling at Cat Stephens, a white dude from America, being racially profiled. I bet black people all over America are saying, "it's about time it happened to someone else."

But it's still not racial profiling and people need to stop throwing these kinds of words and labels around.

-Rudey

Ahem... He's donated to Muslim Palestinian aid organizations that have had (or still do) connections to Hamas... which is why he was denied enterance into Israel in 2001. Its the same problem of you never really know were your aid may end up... whether it be used as you intended or funnnelled ti radicals - happens with many international aid orginzations that are tied to religious movements... Christian, Muslim, or Jewish.

"It’s alleged he gave thousands to the militant Palestinian group Hamas, and to the son of blind cleric Omar Abdel Rachman who was believed to have masterminded the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Yusuf Islam denies giving money to terrorists, and claims he thought he was donating to the poor."

Right. He was donating money to a man off the street and the man gave the money to terrorists. Right.

-Rudey

Do either of your Islamic Scholar neighbors donate to Hamas? Would you be okay being their neighbor if they did?

Questions everybody should be asking:

1) He's a real terrorist suspect - so why was he allowed on the plane?
2) If he's not a real terrorist, is there a way one can clear his or her name?

Both questions should be answered, I hope somebody asked it.

To the best of knowledge, have they directly donated money to Hamas... no. However have they donated money that has ended up going to Hamas... yes; it's why the RCMP interviewed them. Have they expressed views I disagree with... yes; as I have expressed views they disagree with.

I'm more than happy with them donating money to Muslim based aid groups, its the policing of those groups that I have issues with... much as I have issues with Christian aid groups that provide funding to groups that I don't support, or Jewish aid groups that provide funding to groups I don't support. Case in point the Rabbi was also interviewed because some of his donations found there way to some pretty hardcore "Settler Movements" (or so he told me).

They donated money that ended up going to Hamas.

That's different than donating money to Hamas. If they intentionally did it, they are financially supporting murderers.

Jewish people settling unsettled land is different from giving money to buy bombs to kill innocent women and children.

Honestly though, I have no problem with anyone who has conflicting views or opinions apart from my own. It's when they go ahead with those views and get involved with that I have a problem with. Donating money to terrorists, I think they deserve to be banned or blacklisted. Let 'em live in Canada, as long as it's not someone I have to sit next to on my next plane ride :)

Either Canada is with us, or against us ;)

I say we invade :D

We can't. What's left of our Army is in Iraq. How about a rousing game of chess?

Worth repeating.


Frankly, I think it's the beard. I think Osama bin Ladin may be hiding in it.