Ted Kennedy made the no-fly list and managed to clear himself...

Dee

I like any of us can't give the reason as to why he was denied. We don't know why visas are denied to chinese students either. That is just the way this system works.

Does the guy blow up planes? No.

Does he pose any danger flying on a plane then? No.

Would this guy incite hate through his support for terrorist groups? Yes.

Has he called for the death of another human being by Muslims? Yes. Rushdie is an example.

Could that be the reason for the reason he isn't allowed to be in the US? Possibly.

Let's mention again that this is an American decision based on American policy dealing with America. This is not the concern of Canadians.

Let's also mention again that it's sad that people throw around the word race when Cat Stephens is a white boy who fits no racial profile other than advantaged and unmonitored.

This guy supports terrorists and our country has every right to choose when to let him in and not to.

-Rudey

That'll work.

I agree with Rudey though. If the US doesn't want the guy here, fine. Neither do I really. He supports people that most certainly do not support us. He has forsaken the country that has given him everything. Let's see how his music sells in Pakistan.

I heard on the news that Cat Stevens' Muslim name Yusuf Islam is very similar to the name of someone on the no fly list. Did anyone else hear this?

See... funny thing is that this particular aspect of US Policy is of more than passing interest to Canadians... because this may come as a shock, but on occasion we do sometimes travel south... and it's not fun to be turned back at the border for no decernable reason other than someone whom you are travelling with (say for the sake of arguement a Fraternity brother) may be a practisoner of the Muslim faith.
Now this may come as a shock but travellers from other countries seeking to enter the US may be slightly concerned about the profiling policies of the US; as it might, just might, have an impact on their travel plans.

So you can see who some may be concerned about yet another asine example of profiling by the Homeland Gestapo... which has been thrust back into the spot-light because of the recent US Government's statments regarding the Arar case up here in Canada - you know the Canadian citizen that was deported by the US, to Syria where he was tortured...

Facts about Cat Stevens aka Yusuk Islam aka Stephen Demetre Georgiou
 

1) He is NOT an American citizen. He was born in London and currently lives there. That gives the U.S. government even more reasons to not allow him entry.

2) He considers himself mixed race (his mother is Swedish his father is a Greek Cypriot) and that he has dark eyes hair and skin. He says he was brought up Greek Orthodox and attended Catholic school. He also said he was taught to hate Islam as a child as his father was anti-Turk and Islam.

3) He claims to donate all royalties from immoral songs directly to charities. He also claims to not donate to chairites that support terrorism, and in fact runs his own charity called "Small Kindness".

4) He also claims to have never made statements about Salman Rushdie in 1989.

All this and more at his website

I wonder if he's looking for a head covered woman that rides on the peace train on another Saturday night when she's just got paid?

The soundtrack to "Harold & Maude" is one of the best ever.

Sounds like he's being followed by more than a Moonshadow.

I guess he can't keep it in, he's gotta let it out!

(I knew of all people on GC you'd be the one to appreciate Cat Stevens lyrics and references to Harold and Maude)

No. It is of no concern to you.

This is American policy, an American decision for America. You are a Canadian - one who constantly talks about America like some fat woman frothing at the mouth at the sight of a piece of cake.

You are making allegations:
You made an allegation of racial profiling. You hurt people who do feel racial profiling is an issue because this has nothing to do with race. Someone tried to say that Mr. Terror supporting singer is of mixed race but he isn't - he is considered white.

Obviously so many Muslims get into this country and out, so it's not religious profiling. And with religion, there is no mark on your passport that indicates it (like the color of your skin).

In fact it makes no sense that the government would take up a high profile case like this if it didn't have reason.

Again, this guy donated money to terror organizations, has made statements about killing Rushdie in support of fundamentalist Islam, and has made other vile comments before - including some that were clearly anti-semitic. He can deny it all he wants, but I'm glad he isn't in America because he is a hateful person who has supported terrorists and has done something of concern for our government to not allow him in.

-Rudey
--So again, if you care, let him into your no-standard country

He's not a white dude from America, and if he believes he is of mixed race, as he stated he is, then he could claim racial profiling. I don't see it as racial profiling myself, nor do I think he is mixed race.

I didn't TRY to say it, I DID say it. He considers himself mixed race. I was posting what he says about himself. I even included a link to his page where anyone else could read it as well.

I don't give a crap if he thinks pigs fly. He is not mixed race. That is all.

And the way you made it sound was that these were all facts. You didn't say that the moron says this stuff about himself and could be an idiot for thinking this way or a straight up liar.

-Rudey

In my post I said "he considers" "he claims" "he says" and "his website". With a link to his website. His website is http://catstevens.com

See again your missing the point - this actually is a concern of those who live on America's borders and those who have signed onto some of the joint security programs with the US. Now in the case of advanced passenger lists, which the UK signed on to, Mr. Stevens should have been flagged and stopped in the UK if there were any concerns raised by both the UK security system or the US security system - the fact that there was a possible failure in this system does cause concern for those participating in the joint security protocols...

As for my allegations of racial profiling - well sorry for using the term Mr. Stevens did, and my Fraternity brother, and Mr. Arar (the big security related case up here right now).

Finally... nice dig at Canada yet again... from someone who claims to have never made such comments. Interesting double standard you hold yourself to...

The title of your post was "fact about...."

Again, I don't care if he thinks pigs can fly. He is white.

-Rudey

Again, you can get on a plane and not be a danger to blowing anything up. That is different from what you do inside a country.

Again, I don't care that someone else used the term. YOU DID. You are responsible for this. You, as previously, have used words on race and such labels that you didn't understand and cheapened it for every victim who has experienced it. Let me put this in capital letters now: YOU DID!

And again, this is an American decision using an American policy for America. I don't care what you think you or your no-standard country thinks. That is not a dig. You don't use this standard. Again, don't make claims. We have chosen not to allow someone who has ties to terrorist countries in. Thanks for playing.

And again, the US had due cause I'm sure given that this would be high profile and would bring them attention.

And again, millions of Muslims have been able to get in and out of this country without any issues. Your religion is not a label on your passport. When his name was run through a system, it triggered something and it is an American decision that was made based on planning on a US policy to protect American citizens.

-Rudey