Travis Dickerson Recording Studio Forum

Cat Stevens, now called Yusuf Islam, is being deported "on national security grounds."

Yusef Islam\'s a Muslim.  he condemned the 9/11 attack, as most true Islamic followers did.  he has condemned the beheadings even as he disagrees with and possibly condemns the war.  is Peace Train a threat?  no.  monotonous, yeah i could see that, but not a threat.  none of his music is a threat, and he\'s a peaceful man - how is he a threat?  so far as i have heard, here anyway, no one much seems to be hitting the airwaves in outrage.  

dangerous precedents are being set and few people seem to be raising the alarm.  i know, it\'s a dangerous thing to do, to stand up and say "i love my country enough to tell it when it\'s wrong - and this is wrong."  i applaud all those who do - and fear for them - as i fear for my own safety when i drive around with my peace stickers, NION, downing the so called Patriot Act, and asking people to vote Bush out of office.

some people may ask why i\'m railing on this site - a music related site.  i do so because this is a musician being deported for his views.  as the government obviously knows, music is an art, it reaches the minds and hearts of people all over the world.  all artists are messengers for their points of view - whatever they may be - and i call on all artists to be watchful and vigilent in keeping their word true to their point of view.

the next person deported could be you, if you allow a government to hold such control on thought and speech - whatever your point of view - i greatly fear your right to express it is in danger.

[glb]"Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes!" Maggie Kuhn[/glb]

Article link: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/6511671/catstevens?pageid=rs.NewsArchive&pageregion=mainRegion&rnd=1095888089984&has-player=true&version=6.0.12.872


If you want to read the future of the U.S. , read the Orwellean classic, "1984".

It was actually penned about the government of Great Britain, and was initially titled "1948 " , in keeping with the contemporary politic of Orwell\'s time . However, fearing Government censure GO changed the title to project a system of "Big Brother" politics of the future.

There are many aspects portrayed in that fictional work that are so similar in nature to those offices and policies at work in our U.S. government today, and or hold potential to enactment in future, that it\'s almost as if Orwell was a prophet rather than an author of  literary works.

I think it\'s criminal in itself that Yusuf Islam was denied entry into a country that boasts pride in affording it\'s citizens freedom of religion, simply because of his religious faith. I think it examples ignorance at the highest level, and with this President ignorance is par for the course, that Yusuf\'s music would further the reasons for his being on a watch list.

Given the breach to security that has passed through airport screening systems right here in U.S. airports , this action toward a man who has never exampled himself a threat in any way toward the U.S. , seem\'s even more suspect in that they detained him only because he was on an inbound flight and solely because they suspect he\'s linked to terrorists because he\'s a Muslim who sings.

Since when is it Un~American or supportive of terrorism, to disagree with or hold an opinion, about  the President or U.S. politics? And since when is it considered a terrorist threat that anyone outside the U.S. holds an opinion as well?!

Did I miss the Bill before Congress that provided a measure that it is criminal to think outside the box!?
Oh hell, no I didn\'t. * Smacks self *  It\'s the U.S. Patriot Act ! What was I thinking!?

Did I vote for this!? Did You!?

It\'s all so very pathetic and yet, as GkG said, a dire warning to every citizen of this Country.
It\'s easy to look at this latest news and say,

 "Well, if it helps to make us safer, I don\'t mind giving up a few rights!"

Until it is You.

And meanwhile you know your no threat to the U.S. . You  know your not affiliated with terrorists, and that you love your country and yet you have the right, indeed you have been raised to believe it is a right, to speak freely in this Country.

 That is the crux of freedom and democracy, yes?!

And yet it\'s you that is now detained, or trespassed against by that democratic government your told you elected into power. As it effect\'s trespass against your freedom and rights, because somewhere out there there\'s someone else saying that same thing you did long ago;

 "Well, if it helps to make us safer, I don\'t mind giving up a few rights!" *

*I actually witnessed a woman interviewed by the press say this exact quote, when asked about her opinion regarding Federal agents and local police detaining and searching the car of 3 Arab medical students , on their way to a U.S. University, after a woman in a Diner reported them as terror suspects. Remember that news flash and the live coverage that followed!?

Officers found nothing after their search and interview of these "suspects", and yet the three students whom a woman reported as speaking Arabic and also saying in English that they supported the horror of 911, lives were ruined forever. And the Arabic conversation she over heard from 3 booth\'s away?  Of the three young men in question, in truth, only 1 spoke Arabic.  Makes for a very one sided conversation, don\'t you think!?

Makes for one heck of an example of profiling and breach of privacy, as well as exampling lack of probable cause, as well.  And yet all that means nothing because these three innocent men were denied access to the University they were bound for when detained and because of fear and racism, their dreams of becoming Doctors so as to help people, were smashed in the moments it took to dial 911!  The irony that Arab students futures were destroyed because a racist dialed 911, is amazing!

Can you smell your freedom burning.....yet!?



[size=13]First They Came for the Jews[/size]
Pastor Martin Niemöller

First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.



You see, tyrants effecting oppressive agenda\'s always make history. However it\'s complacence in the face of the oppression that is the sad epitaph of contemporary history.

thank you Ocean!

the main thing that runs through my mind is that we were attacked for what we stood for - the liberty and justice for all, the right to freedoms for all - and as we tear down these rights and liberties, as we deny justice, they have won.  we lose who we are, and they have won.  we cannot allow that to happen.

to paraphrase Jewel: "Freedom can\'t deny the temptation, becomes the oppressor"

if we allow that precient line to come to fruition we cease to be the America we were on the day we were attacked.   we become an embittered, petty and spiteful caricature of the nation we were.

denying POW rights and justice to those who attacked us, may have attacked us, once thought of attacking us, we imagine wanted to attack us, might some day long to attack us - that goes against everything we stand (stood?) for.

Bravo ladies... Thank you for having the courage to speak as you have and share this information with us. It is extremly important for all of us to pay attention to our world around us and use our voices in all aspects as we can. I have received an education here and I am greatful.

Bravo ladies... Thank you for having the courage to speak as you have and share this information with us.

Ditto!  
Peace
Bella )O(

As long as Bubba remains in the oval office we can continue to watch our rights - especially FREE SPEACH - circle the bowl.

I have recently read some articles sent by a friend back in NYC from the NY Times.  For the Repub Convention, the ONLY permit for demonstration that was issued and allowed to be directly across the street was.... wait for it.... Right to Lifers. EVERYONE else was resticted to stay at least 8 city blocks away!! Since when can the governmentt tell us where and when free and peaceful assembly can take place. What did they think that the groups that practice civil disobedience were going to go against their entire ideology and beat Bush to death with their Berkinstocks??  

The FBI went to the leaders of the most prominet and active protest groups and intimidated many to staying away from NY during the convention.

That the FL state police under the direction of Bubba\'s brother - you know the one, the govenor that helped him steal the 2000 election - the one with the VICATIN addicted daughter - to harrass the leaders in the black community to not rally the black vote in FL. So that they can try to steal another election.

Having been a former NYer, I really USED to like Giuliani. He was a good mayor. There were more cops and less crime. I was positively ill at his comments at the convention. (as much as I was disgusted- it\'s like a bad car accident- you have to look).  The sad truth is that Giuliani, like the Bush administration remains locked into nation/state thinking. Terrorism is like communism, they seem to think, and you defeat it by flipping counties into the freedom collum. In fact, it has become a sort of "hidden hand" belief on a par with faith that free markets cure all woes. "The hatred and anger in the middle east arises form the lack of responsible governments," Giuliani said. Freedom will defeat terrorists, "The long term answer to ending global terrorism is goverments that are free and accountable." Tell that to the families of the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing!

I was raised in the church of politics. I was taken to my first protest rally (No Nukes) when I was 6. I have marched in NY 3 times and on Washington twice, and never have I heard of such abuses to the 1st Amendment. I thought that all ended with thepassing of the Miranda Act and the Equal Rights Amendment. The Bush administration has dragged us back into one of the worst episodes of our domestic history of the last century. If he successfully STEALS another election, I will protest so loudly from AZ right up to the BARRICADES in front of the White House. And they can arrest me if they want to, but I will NEVER stop speaking my mind!

[glb]Pinko Liberal Commie Democrat[/glb]Beatnik  

Well said Beatnik!

And bravo to everyone who shares and reads this thread. That\'s how we learn , and that\'s how we unite to change that which we do not approve of, in a "representative" democracy.
Dialogue is the first step to changing the world. It\'s like they say, if you don\'t stand for something you\'ll fall for anything.

This November 2nd is election day in the U.S. and  is also All Saints Day , per the Christian calendar . Yet another irony considering George W. has stated on the record that "God" told him to run for office! I wonder what God told him to later steal the election through Brother\'s complicity!? *cough*  

And this November 2nd is the first election where I will not vote for a Presidential candidate.
For so many years I have posted my choice for what amounts to the lesser of two evils, remembering, as I cast my vote, that admonishing about the responsibility inherent in  lending a voice to my National future; "If you don\'t vote, don\'t bitch!"

Well I\'ve voted and I\'ve bitched. And regardless of whether or not I cast my choice into the lot, someone wins!  This year I refuse to be pressured into electing any evil into office. That is my vote! To not be the one responsible for putting my trust, my vote,  to elect evil into power over my country and my people.

George W. is the worst president to sit the seat, in the history of this Country. He points his finger at Nation\'s abroad and calls their leadership  dictators and oppressors and yet we the people of the United States know, have experienced, that dictator and opressor are applications right here in this free republic. That is, every single day, becoming less so.

When the U.S. Patriot Act was passed, under this president, the freedom in America died! It became the property, under the oversight, of the government we\'re told we elected into office.  

In the early twentieth century the watch word from Big Brother government was "Communist". It was a word that struck fear into all who heard it, and destroyed all who were afforded it\'s brand, much like the scarlet letter of old.

Black Lists were born in Hollyweird, and actors , artists of the stage, lives were destroyed . Average citizens were coaxed into becoming spy\'s on their neighbors. Told it was their "patriotic" duty to report any suspicious activity, for the "good of the Country".
Much like the atmosphere of the 16 and 17th century, were then the watch word was "Heritic" and "Witch", and that good neighbor\'s report to the local magistrate would result in that other neighbor disappearing in the middle of the night, never to be seen again until they were hanged, or chained to the pyre and burned for the good of the village.

Today in the 21st century the watchword is "terrorist". And yet again it is proven that if we do not learn from our history we are condemned to repeat it.  

Right after 911, when our hearts were still cleaved in twain and some networks broadcast the activity at ground zero around the clock so that we would never forget the tragedy that changed our Nation forever, National news encouraged citizens to watch their neighbors for any suspicious activity. We were told it was our duty to protect our future and help prevent another attack on our home land.
I remember how my company and those who served the local community and gained access into client/customer\'s , homes were told to report to the local authorities if we saw anything of a terrorist nature or suspicious as anti~American propaganda!

I wonder to this day how many innocent people had Federal Agents knocking at their door because the gas man took the admonishion seriously and reported them because he saw a Che Guevara poster through a window!?  :-/

The admonishion from our Government today has quite literally made us our brothers (and sisters) keeper.

Look around at your local neighborhoods and you\'ll witness the change that\'s taking place in this free country and right before your eyes. Big Brother eyes stand watch at intersections, holding a panoramic access to every day life.
We\'re told it\'s for traffic control even though the ticket\'s issued for violations at those intersections are in violation of the 6th Amendment, and yet we pay the ticket when it arrives in the mail because we don\'t think we can dare fight it.  I wonder though if we ask why those camera\'s stand watch over pedestrian intersections!?  
Did you know there\'s a software in place through that monitoring system that can ID you through facial characteristics, even if your wearing a disguise or have had reconstructive plastic surgery!?
Such a system is in place and the authorities are so proud of it that they allowed the media to report on the security system currently in effect in Ybor City Florida.

Ahhhh Orwell, you sly devil! Big Brother is watching indeed!

I wonder, in the years to come , how we shall answer if we allow ourselves to  believe those excuses afforded our National opression. What we shall say when that child, the precious innocent new life facing a dire future,  toddles up , tug\'s on our pant leg and gazes at us in wide eyed innocence and asks,

"Mommy, what was freedom like?"

 what will be our answer!? Will we then be able to say we don\'t remember because it was taken away for their own good!?  Will we then believe it ourselves!?

Article Link: http://www.ndtv.com/ent/musicworldstory.asp?section=Music&slug=Stevens+reacts+on+deportation&id=3017

[glb]Stevens reacts on deportation  [/glb]
Thursday, September 23, 2004 (New York):


It\'s been one of the most high profile fallouts of the American anti terrorism campaign. One of the greatest pop singers of the 70\'s Cat Stevens was deported yesterday from the United States.

His fault is to have converted to Islam 30 years ago. His name is on a US watch list for terrorists.

The 56 year old Stevens changed his name to Yusuf Islam when he converted to Islam and stopped his singing career in 1977.

He was travelling with his daughter on a United Airlines flight on Tuesday from London to Washington when American officials diverted the plane 600 miles to Bangor, Maine and prevented him from entering US territory.

"I am totally shocked, obviously, I mean, half of me wants to smile and half of me wants to growl. I was travelling to Nashville, actually with my daughter to initiate some recordings and, you know, suddenly we were forced to land and suddenly I was being interrogated by all these FBI officers," said the singer.

"The whole thing is totally ridiculous, everybody knows who I am, you know, I am no secret figure. Everybody knows my campaigning for charity, for peace, and there has got to be a whole lot of explanations - hopefully there\'ll be that," he added.

The move has outraged British Muslims and led Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to complain personally to US Secretary of State Colin Powell at the United Nations. But according to the US Homeland Security, the United States had information that Yusuf Islam, who last visited the United States in May, had donated money to the militant Islamic group Hamas.

In fact, Yusuf Islam was denied entry to Israel in 2000 after the authorities there accused him of supporting Hamas. He denied the charges then and said his charitable donations were for humanitarian causes.

Among the charities he has supported are children affected by war in Bosnia and Iraq as well as victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks against America, which he condemned.

But, as he discovered, with a name like Yusuf Islam he\'ll always be followed by a shadow of suspicion when he visits the US.  

there are millions of people, americans among them, who donate to charity all over the world.  some of the largest donations to the IRA come from the USA.  i understand that the majority of donations to the Israeli settlement groups comes from the USA.  most people give to organizations on humanitary grounds.  i would believe that sometimes they are completely unaware that those donations may be passed on to violent counterparts.

Excellent point.

And I wonder how many of those American\'s who donate , for humanitarian reasons and in ignorance of where their money may go, realize that under the U.S. Patriot Act , they can be arrested , held without access to an attorney or telephone for up to 3 days, for contributing to those terrorists they had no idea were the actual people receiving those funds?

and if the gov\'t decides to play hard ball they can pull what they did to Jose Padilla.  it\'s a really bizarre country right now.

For those who may not know about Jose Padilla, a quick FYI:

[glb]Motion for speedier trial for Jose Padilla denied[/glb]

(Charleston-AP) Aug. 25, 2004 - A federal judge has denied a motion for a speedier hearing in the case of a man being held in Charleston as an enemy combatant.

The government alleges that Jose Padilla was part of an al-Qaida plot to set off a radiological bomb. US Magistrate Judge Robert Carr wrote says the court will not be rushed to judgment. But Carr also says the case will not be delayed.

Padilla was arrested after the September 11th terror attacks. The Brooklyn, New York-native has been housed in the brig at the Charleston Naval Weapons Station and prevented from challenging his detention. His attorneys says he should be released because he has not been charged with a crime.

Article Link:  http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2220492&nav=0RaPQFFF

Somewhere , on the other side of the veil, the forefathers of our Country are weeping!  :\'(

QuoteSomewhere , on the other side of the veil, the forefathers of our Country are weeping!

my own father is right there with them.  on this side, we can\'t afford to weep - we need to act.  to stir to action.  there is far to much complaciency in this country.  one\'s inaction is implicit approval of the status quo and we cannot affort to continue down this path.

Ocean - I BEG YOU TO VOTE!! :\'(

I understand that it seems we always have to choose the lesser of 2 evils. But that IS politics. Every politician lies to some extent, oviously some more than others. But not to vote?! That is the attitdue that will get Bush back in for another 4 years. If you must dissent in the voting process, cast it for Nader! (if he actually gets on any ballots - with Repub funding no less -that is another tirade) The repubs want to sooo discourage sooo many from voting - because they know that is the only way to win the election.  Thsi country will NOT tolerate another stolen election - and I promote absolute rioting if they do. Not that I think Gore was a good choice - but he couldn\'t have been WORSE than Bush.

What the REAL discussion should be, is why isn\'t / hasn\'t Cngress changed the Constituion regarding elections? Let\'s face it - the true beauty of our Constituion is the ability to add and amend it.

[glb]THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE IS NO LONGER NECCESSARY!!![/glb]

It made sense when it was written in the late 18th century, as there really was NO mass communication. But folks we are in the information age!! It should be the popular vote that carries the winner into the Oval office and nothing else!!

Or if we can\'t agree on getting rid of it all together, than have the electoral votes SPLIT between candidates. It is absurd that a candidate can win by a margin of 1% and take ALL the electoral votes for that state. That does NOT represent the true populace vote of the constitents in that state does it?
Personally I have signed up to cast a [glb]PAPER BALLOT. [/glb]

The computerized voting machines have no paper records for a recount!! An the repubs are conting on that again as they did in FL in 2000. Besides, the computer code is so badly written in these computers that it would not take much to tamper with them just enought to skew results.

[glb]So here is my PAPER BALLOT! Recount this Bubba!!![/glb]

ROCK THE VOTE!!

Beatnik  

i understand the urge to say "cast a vote for Nader if you dissent" but in this particular election we are still bound by the electoral college, so that is purely and simply a vote for the status quo.  he had good intentions long ago, but now the man is on an ego trip funded by the GOP.

i agree that the electoral college needs to go, but that will be a long time coming.  in the mean time, we cannot really treat our consititution like something we can take up and let down with the styles.  it must be treated as a very serious undertaking with massive consent by the people.  otherwise we get into using it as an ordinary legislative tool, which it clearly is not and was never intended to be.  we have other, more appropriate, avenues for standard legislation.

if you\'ve been to my site you know i have a link to Rock the Vote - if you haven\'t been there and you need to register - go direct to the source:
//www.rockthevote.com

i strongly advocate absentee voting.  yes, some are trying to say that can be manipulated like the electronic voting - i say it\'s the best method we have right now.  you don\'t have to go to a polling place, you don\'t have to worry that someone hacked your vote, you don\'t really have to worry at all - why? i hear you asking - i\'ll tell ya kiddies, because you can do what Max and I have done for some time now - you can photocopy the mother before you mail it and attach it to the stub that you keep when you send it in.  

there you have in your hot little hand (date stamped if you\'re as anal as i am ) the item as you submitted it and if there is ever a reason for someone to recheck your vote you have your ballot number and the corresponding copy of exactly how you voted.

period, end of BS from GWB and Co. - no Supremes needed.