Cat Stevens & Marillion

Come on, folks...the heading is "Discussions not related to music", after all. Not "Discussions not related to music except anything that might arouse strong feelings". If you don't want to be over-stimulated, avoid reading topic threads that are likely to cause such a reaction. It's that simple- just change the channel if you don't like this show...'cause I'm about to rant.

I'm willing to bet that few people read my first post in this topic without thinking of 9/11...for the record, the ex-Cat Stevens has been on the sh*t list for over a decade now. No government, agency, or private residence should be criticized for denying entrance on the basis of previous violent statements.

How about this: you see someone in the street shouting incoherent violent slogans. They come to your door. You don't let them in. The rest of the neighborhood calls you names. Sound fair? Sound civilized?

How about you oh-so-fashionable anti-american folks make a reasonable point for once- maybe even cite a specific instance or fact? There's plenty in the US Government to criticize, especially in foriegn policy; instead you offer generalizations that a junior high debating tem would have little problem tearing to shreds.

For all his shortcomings we need people like Mr. Moore because traditional within-the-system opposition is about as helpful as sending a letter to your congressman. He's just the latest in the long line of muckrakers that are significantly historically responsible for improving our civil rights. Speaking of which, Phil Ochs was a folk singer- Cat Stevens was just another guy with an acoustic guitar. Now he's not even that much.

But despite the fact that most of you come from countries with escalating violence against immigrants and minorities, you find some sort of moral upper hand to attack Americans. Good trick! Why don't you bring the National Front round for tea sometime and tell me again how denying entrance to an ADMITTED FANATIC SUPPORTER OF MURDER is indicative of a failure of American judgement.

Reed Lover wrote: threefates wrote: Reed Lover wrote: Spoken like a true woman TreeFights. How would you know? Arent you confusing me with someone else around here, you naughty girl..............

I have a 16 yr old daughter from a 3 yr relationship with a woman when I was 19-22 yrs of age so I am not totally ignorant on the ways of women thank-you

Reed Lover wrote: Spoken like a true woman TreeFights.

How would you know?

threefates wrote: And thats my last statement on it!

Hi Emidar.. honey

Mr. Islam being pulled off the plane doesn't really have anything to do with the war in Iraq or Mr. Bush's or Mr. Blair's methods... it has to do with homeland security... and that I'm behind.  I'm not sure about what good the war in Iraq has done or not done... I'm sure that will always be a center of debate for years to come.. and both sides will claim some sort of victory... Thats just the way that works.

I also disagree with you about their motives being born from deeply held theological beliefs.  Like every other war, they continue to use that as an excuse and it might of started that way many years ago... but that is not what it is about today.  I know many muslim clerics here in NYC.. actually I've worked with the head of the Muslim community here in NYC, Imam Al-Hajj Talib W. 'Abdur-Rashid' and we've had many discussions in regard to how non-religious these terrorist groups really are.

Its not much different than the hatred instilled in the young brought up in Northern Ireland.  Its what your bred to think, not whats really truth any longer. I spent quite a lot of time with Muslim families in Malaysia.  You should of heard what they've been led to believe about Americans.  Of course, by the time I left, they probably had a whole different idea of Americans...

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Spoken like a true woman TreeFights.

And thats my last statement on it!

sigod wrote: Er..does anyone know if Marillion have played any Cat Stevens songs? They are keen on the odd cover, I've heard them doing a version of Substitute by The Who.

I don't know but (former It Bites vocalist/guitarist) Francis Dunnery does a great cover of Cat Stevens' Father & Son on his (almost) essential Tall Blond Helicopter album, where vocally he sound like Stevens, then Gabriel before reverting to his own voice. Have said there are vocal inflection changes, it is still a very heart-felt version recorded as a tribute to his father who had just died.

Blacksword wrote: So the evil Mr Islam was about to bring down America

Evidently nothing brings down American... we just don't prefer being vulnerable anymore!

Blacksword wrote: Its incredible how a pacifist ex-pop singer can cause a minor security alert because of his faith. But, 19 Saudis with forged ID's can take flying lessons in the US, without any checks being done, then hi-jack 4 planes and fly them into the WTC and the Pentagon withouut the CIA, NORAD or anyone else for that matter batting an eye lid.

I think you got that backwards, Blacksword... it wasn't because of his faith, many muslims come and go thru our airports daily...its because of his past and the fact that Interpol has him as a terrorist financial supporter... And afterall we are still on orange alert here.. which means we can't afford to ignore any information regardless on who he was... or even who he is now.  And thats due to the hi-jacked planes... not instead of...

Its fine that we only come here to discuss wonderful music.. and funny issues like Mariah, but it saddens me to see that so many seem to be able to judge our need for protection... when it wasn't the skies falling in on them. 

And I read all your attached articles... I don't see where it means we should alter our security rules for individuals who might of been pop stars 30 years ago.

And thats my last statement on it!

What happened on 9/11 was a terrible act of murder, but I hope America doesn't wear out the sympathy of the rest of the world by over playing the victim card.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1308176,00.html

(read the last four paragraphs to see what I mean)

Love to all on both sides of the pond.

You can bet your bottom dollar that this incident (the plane boss, the plane!! ) will surface in a song on a forthcomming Marillion album.

That's my prediction, you heard it here first...