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?