Cat Stevens - agent of terror???
 

Well this ones for the older crowd... because many woun't even know who he is.

Passenger Cat Stevens to Be Deported
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...ane_diverted_9

I'd love to here the rationale behind this...

He is not a moderate like he pretends. He has made statements in the past that supported terrorist organizations as well as meeting with them, etc. I think he is more like Louis Farrakhan (however you spell the bigot's name). Regardless I'm happy.

Of course RACooper you can invite him to Canada.

-Rudey

Actually he is more than welcome here... he's only on the watch list (of course so are the Raging Grannies) :)

Then you can post a story or ask about something that happened in Canada and not the US. :)

-Rudey

I can't remember the details, but I seem to recall some rather vitriolic comments made by Stevens/Islam a few years ago against the U.S. government. I even want to say that he seemed to advocate violence -- but that memory is just too foggy.

I remember being surprized because I always enjoyed Peace Train and Morning Has Broken.

Does anyone else remember that, or is my memory over-reacting?

No he has done so repeatedly. He has supported terrorist organizations and not just in word but through money and energy. He even supported murder orders by an Iranian terrorist Ayatollah.

-Rudey

to my knowledge, I don't think he has made that statement. I know from watching VH1's "Behind the Music" that featured Cat Stevens a couple of years ago, He did mention he was unhappy and wanted to start a new chapter in his life.

His comments were pretty much what Rudey said... he supported the murder order against Rusdie issued by the Ayatollah. Of course he later recanted... but that doesn't get him off the watch list.

He has said more than that and supported more organizations that are on terrorist watch groups. Has he blown up a bus? No. Has he supported those that do (even though he may be against some)? Yes.

-Rudey

That's what it was.

Okay it's making the national news up here now... CBC is looking into the debate, because of numbers of people claiming racial profiling when entering the US. Also because of the recent declaration by the US Embassy regarding Arar... who also claimed racial profiling...

So turns out he was allowed in the US in May, where he performed at a concert to promote his new CD - where half of all funds raised were given the 9/11 relief fund. So the question is what has changed now? Has his views significantly changed since then... not that I can see...

It is the US, it is a US policy and a US issue.

-Rudey

But an issue that affects others.... that aside I noticed that CNN also has done a brief story on it; where again there was allegations of racial profiling or political interference in the movements of US citizens and foreign nationals.

It just seems like a bit much to divert a flight for one man; further why was he allowed to board in the UK if he was on the US banned list... I thought that advanced clearance was required as part of the Homeland Security policies? I was pretty sure that British Airways was onboard with the policy of submitting the passenger lists for all flights bound for the US... anyone here know more or different?

Yes it does seem a bit too much and a bit close to a conspiracy theory to think that Cat AKA Yusef was religiously profiled (he is white just like middle easterners and Arabs are white) and denied entry based on his religion while so many with the same religion have not been denied.

-Rudey

RA, would you want to live next door to Cat?

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.

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.