Cat Stevens can kiss my Mother Fucking Ass

[Must_B_Free]

"Yusuf Islam's comments in 1989 concerning Salman Rushdie after the publication of Rushdie's novel The Satanic Verses provoked controversy. During this time period an Iranian fatwa (religious ruling) was issued, holding that it was an obligation of Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie. Yusuf Islam publicly stated that Rushdie was indeed guilty of blasphemy against Islam, and Rushdie deserved to be killed." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_Stevens

Anyone who says that an author deserves to be murdered for "Blashpheming against God" isn't welcome in my country, as far as I am concerned.

[bpilgrim]

1. gotta link?

thanks :hi:

peace

[Must_B_Free]

2. there you go brother pilgrim

sorry I rushed to post.

[bpilgrim]

5. thank you

though i see nothing in quotes there... does anyone have a transcript?

peace

[Maple]

3. This is different from some of your fellow Americans

wanting to nuke Afghanistan and Iraq killing millions of innocent people over the actions of a few Saudis?

[Must_B_Free]

4. Nope, they can kiss it too.

[Maple]

7. All this deportation

over an opinion eh?

Sure is a free speech type country you have.

[NightTrain]

6. A slight clarification

<<Yusuf Islam has since clarified that he believes that a death sentence can only be carried out by the authority of a court in an Islamic society, and that he is opposed to anyone taking the law into their own hands by murdering Rushdie.>>

Just thought I'd mention it....

[Media_Lies_Daily]

17. Oh, you know nobody here is interested in an insignificant detail....

...like that. They would rather hate someone based on a misquote.

[donheld]

33. thank you

Some people just don't want to be confused with facts. It's hard to wait to pass judgement till facts are all in. What Yusuf said is no different than if any christian said the bible says us gays should be stoned for what we do. he was NOT saying someone should go out and DO it.

Hate is UGLY no matter who's doing it.

Peace Train
by Cat Stevens

Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun

Oh I've been smiling lately, dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be, some day it's going to come

Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again

Now I've been smiling lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun

Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller

Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train

Get your bags together, go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer, it soon will be with you

Now come and join the living, it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer, soon it will all be true

Now I've been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating, why can't we live in bliss

Cause out on the edge of darkness, there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country, come take me home again

:bounce:

[Judi Lynn]

37. You betcha, donheld. Seeing the lyrics was wonderful

Reading the words reminded me I have a permanent memory of the way he sang his excellent songs. He is so unique there's nothing comparable. Many cuts above the other musician/singer/songwriters.

[tinanator]

44. whatever they thought they heard the media say is good enough

must be clueless.

[TexasSissy]

49. Executing Rushdie legally rather than illegally is what he means.

Well, then, that's okay, isn't it? I'm glad Yusuf clarified that.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

8. Good luck finding a quote. The spin, however, is easy to find.

I'm not a fan...AT ALL...but I'll keep my opinions on that to myself.

He basically says in the statement below that Islamic law CALLED FOR Rushdie to be killed for his "blasphemy" but he was not suggesting that anyone should take the law into their own hands.

He has the right to exercise his freedom of speech, as well as the right to deal with the consequences of anyone who misinterprets his words. You speak, you deal with the response. That's life.

http://catstevens.com/articles/00013/index.html

Yusuf Islam Issues A Formal Statement On The Rushdie Affair
By Yusuf Islam
March 2nd, 1989

Under Islamic Law, the ruling regarding blasphemy is quite clear; the person found guilty of it must be put to death. Only under certain circumstances can repentance be accepted.
On 21st February, I was speaking to a group of students at the Kingston Polytechnic, and in response to a question, I simply stated the Islamic ruling on the Rushdie affair. Suddenly. my picture was splashed on the front page of newspapers all over the world next to the headline: 'Kill Rushdie says Cat Stevens (Bio)'. It is very sad to see such irresponsibility from the 'free press' and I am totally abhorred.

My only crime was, I suppose, in being honest. I stood up and expressed my belief and I am in no way apologizing for it. I expressed the Islamic view based on the Qur'an, the Prophet's sayings (peace and blessings be upon him) and the rulings of the Caliphs and renowned schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

However, that is not to say I am encouraging people to break the law or take it into the

ir own hands: far from it. Under the Islamic Law, Muslims are bound to keep within the limits of the law of the country in which they live, providing that it does not restrict the freedom to worship and serve God and fulfil their basic religious duties (fard'ayn). One must not forget the ruling in Islam is also very clear about adultery, stealing and murder, but that doesn't mean that British Muslims will go about lynching and stoning adulterers, theives and murderers. If we can't get satisfaction within the present limits of the law, like a ban on this blasphemous book, 'Satanic Verses' which insults God and His prophets - including those prophets honoured by Christians, Jews as well as Muslims - this does not mean that we should step outside of the law to find redress. No. If Mrs. Thatcher and her Government are unwilling to listen to our pleas, if our demonstrations and peaceful lobbying don't work, then perhaps the only alternative is for Muslims to get more involved in the political process of this country. It seems to be the only way left for us.

The fundimental issue which has put the non-Muslim world at loggerheads with Islam, is not that of the book or attempts to ban it. Indeed it is encouraging that many non-Muslims, including the Archbishop of Canterbury endore the request of Muslims that the Blasphemy Law be extended to cover the Islamic faith. When Jim Allen's play 'Perdition' was harassed out of existance by angry jews - some of whom burned an effigy of the writer - the British reaction was muted. The present attitude of the Government and press is obviously as a result of their opposition to the Islamic legal ruling that Rushdie should be executed and the fact that it has come from an Islamic country. The fact is that as far as the application of Islamic Law and the implementation of full Islamic way of life in Britain is concerned, Muslims realize that there is very little chance of that happening in the near future. But that shouldn't stop us from trying to improve the situation and presenting the Islamic viewpoint wherever and whenever possible. That is the duty of ever Muslim and that is what I did.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

10. what a tool that guy is

you really think its spinning his words to say that he supports killing Rushdie?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

13. I thought he sucked while he was "Cat Stevens," I like him less now

He's spinning his words, I believe, because he DOES support killing Rushdie but doesn't want to pay the consequences for having the balls (or whatever) for standing up and just fucking SAYING it.

He's "hiding behind the "law"...the law HE has chosen to embrace...and is shooting off his mouth while back-pedaling and saying "It's not ME, I'm not suggesting Rushdie should be killed, it's THE LAW."

HIS fucking law. Not MY law.

And now he's become a poster child. We have bigger fish to fry. FUCK HIM.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

18. Just how old are you, anyway?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

19. Old enought to have thought he sucked when he was Cat Stevens

:toast:

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

25. "Attack the post and not the poster"

You really have a way with words. I hereby declare this flame war over.

[Must_B_Free]

11. His very own words, his own web site

He regarded Rushdie as a criminal, said he should be sent to Iran for his just desserts. Does he feel the author of "The Satanic Verses" is deserving of mercy?

"I don't want to talk about that."

But it's important, I say. Should he be allowed to live?

"Again, this is one of those things that once mentioned becomes a headline . . . My views were misrepresented."

How?

"Again, I don't really want to get into this. I think we should move on."

Why?

"Because it might focus people on it."

http://catstevens.com/articles/00006/

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

15. He's a coward with a big mouth

If he "doesn't want to get into it," one option...just ONE POSSIBLE OPTION, Yusuf..or Cat..or whatever...would be to shut the fuck up.

OR...as I've already said...deal with your freedom of speech and the consequences that go with it.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

21. So, what's the difference between what you're doing and....

...what the GOP-paid Swift Boat Vets were doing to Kerry?

Aren't you attempting to misrepresent what he actually said, just like the Swift Boat Vets tried to misrepresent Kerry's actions during the Vietnam War?

Hey, unless you were there to hear exactly what Stevens said, you know nothing more than what you've read or heard, right?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

24. You're right, I wasn't there, and as I said in my 1st post in this thread,

...I could not find a quote of "Cat Stevens" or "Yusuf Islam" saying "Rushdie should be killed."

That, my friend, would be the rationale behind my saying "good luck finding a quote." Because I could not find one. If I could have, I would have posted the whole thing here and then whizzed on a copy of "Tea For The Tillerman."

That's also why I posted, in this thread, Stevens' (or "Islam's") response from his own web site.

I appreciate raising the flag, but I am NOT pulling a "Swift Boat" as on Stevens...or Islam...or whatever. He made a comment that made people ask "what did you mean by this" and then he became a coward.

That's pretty much what I'm saying. I respect your opinion, as I respect the opinions of other posters on DU, but don't put words in my mouth and I won't put them in yours.

[JudasBetrays]

43. What does that comparison have to do with anything?

Good is good and bad is bad. If Cat Stevens condones the killing of Rushdie then he is bad.

[progdonkey]

58. good editing job

I'll assume you forgot to include the three lines that immediately followed in the article:

So we should forget the fatwah?

"It distorts Islam, its precepts, its conditions, its values. Law itself has so many aspects it cannot be narrowed down."

Now, that hardly sounds like someone who believes in the Ayatollah's fatwah, but I'm sure you just left that out by accident, right?

[Must_B_Free]

61. Nor did I include the paragraph after that

"His language may sound tortuous and obfuscatory, but on its own terms he is treading a new path every bit as radical as when he suddenly announced he was Cat Stevens and then Yusuf Islam. He does not seem interested in condemning and dividing these days.

i.e. implying that he once was, in fact, interested in condemning a fact which supporters seek to deny.

But he's in a tricky position. He can't be seen to be too critical of old friends -- the traditionalists or fundamentalists, call them what you will -- who remind us at every opportunity that Rushdie should be dead."

So it sounds like he's trying to have it all ways at once. This sums it up. He stated his belifs and he is proud of them yet he doesn't want to pay the price for owning up to these beliefs. He wanted to "be seen" as something else.

That is neither honest nor integral, but rather, it is hypocritical and cowardly.

[leesa]

9. I think this is not true but thanks for the inflammatory post without fact

[Must_B_Free]

12. I don't have to agree with his beliefs

I think that a law that calls for the death penalty for someones words is wrong and I don't support anyone who tries to defend such sentiments.

[nosmokes]

14. follow your rules or leave, izzat what you're saying?

i'm so glad we have the constitution.

[Must_B_Free]

16. Nope, that's your straw man

What I'm saying is, support state sanction murder for use of Blasphemous words, and get an invitation to kiss my ass.

Someone supports this view and then complains that they are a "target"? If that's the kind of thinking going on in his head, it's no wonder he got singled out. It makes me wonder if maybe he did support terrorists.

Seems like Deportation is bad reward for someones words, but Murder is OK? That's a tough position to defend people.

[nosmokes]

23. he never advocated for murder,

you're putting words into his mouth.

and what he said, or didin't say re: rushdie is not why he was disallowed entry into the states. which is an asinine move and is already having negative repercussions against us in the arab world. and we sure don't need any more of that, ffs.

[Must_B_Free]

52. "he should be sent to Iran for his just desserts"

"just desserts" in Iran (under islamic Law) is the death penalty. Those are his words from an article on his website.

[FlemingsGhost]

20. How does one respond to such an emotional outburst?

Oh, that's right ... you ignore them.

Their anger is fueled from something far deeper and more personal than what has been presented.

Good luck.

[Eloriel]

26. I saw a clip -- he did NOT say "deserved to be killed" -- he said

that that was the punishment under Islamic law. That's what he was EXPLAINING.

Sheesh. People trot out these wikipedia articles and some of them are NOT very good.

[Must_B_Free]

27. His own article on his own website states that Cat said of Rushdie

"he should be sent to Iran for his just desserts" and as you say, he states that the law in Iran calls for death penalty.

Spin all you like, but its right there.

[HEyHEY]

29. It's been well known and talked about for years

that Stevens wanted him dead.

[progdonkey]

59. well, it's good to see not all DU'ers reject rumor-mongering

[OneBlueSky]

28. well, just to counter your ass-kissing, think I'll go out and . . .

but a couple of Cat Stevens CDs . . .

I saw a lengthy documentary on Yusef Islam awhile back, and he seems to be a peaceful and generous individual who does amazing work with various charities (mostly for kids) . . . he also works to help others understand Islam better -- what it is, and what it isn't . . .

as for the Rushdie business, his comments were explanatory of what a fatwah is and were misinterpreted . . . he is a man of peace, and I doubt that he wants anyone killed . . . I believe he has explicityly renounced the Rushdie fatwah, but I can't find the documentation right now . . . I'll keep looking . . . but I'll take him at his word, since his life and work speak volumes about the kind of man he is . . .

[McKay]

30. He renounced the Rushdie fatwa?

If that's true, more power to him - that would take some courage. I would like to see that documentation, though, if you can find it.

If he didn't renounce it, then shame on him for supporting such a horrible law; a genuine "man of peace" would know better. But that still would be no reason to keep him out of the country (yes, I know there are other allegations against the guy, but since when is it a deportable offense to contribute money to suspicious causes? If that were the case, we'd have a government in exile).

[JCMach1]

31. Saying you 'understand' it is VERY different from saying you

'support' such a killing...!!!

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Arianrhod]

34. So, what actions are you taking

to have Robertson, Falwell, et al deported?

Just curious.

[Andromeda]

38. I think that's a wonderful idea!

If it were up to me Robertson and Falwell would be living on the island of Komoto.

[TankLV]

35. Ahh - the usual suspects spouting crap as fact.

And most of them are here in one single thread!

Must've been tough holding your breath to let go of this brain fart.

Just more noxious fumes from your end.

Thanx for polluting the air, once again, along with all your cronies!

[Must_B_Free]

36. Thanks for the reply

I always judge a rebuttal on the basis of the facts presented. Thats quite a persuasive batch of facts you provided. And Thanks for the informative links.

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Voldermoritst]

39. nto good

that is rather extreme. I don't like that.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dem2theMax]

41. Yusuf Islam Talks about the Satanic Verses Controversy

I read another article close to this one but cannot find it at the moment. The web site I think it is on is bogged down due to heavy traffic. So for now, this will have to do.


Yusuf Islam Talks about the Satanic Verses Controversy
By Yusuf Islam
CatStevens.Com
March 12th, 2003

Firstly, it is very difficult to educate people in the midst of a political battlefield of smoke and antagonization, which is what I believe represented the atmosphere between the West and Iran back in the early 1990’s when I simply attempted to answer a question presented to me during a lecture.

Sadly, 14 years later and right up to today, some people still try to connect me to this issue, whereas I had nothing really to do with it; I was tricked and foolishly fell for the trap.

My view today with regard to respect for treaties and international law has obviously developed since those early days of ‘fire and brimstone’; the keeping of the peace and respect for the sacred is to me at the heart of Islam’s and other Religion’s prohibition against Blasphemy. But there are deep legalistic questions connected to this subject of which there can be many views, this is not necessarily the subject of this particular essay.

So…back in February 1989 I was delivering a talk about my journey to Islam at Kingston University in London, when somebody (probably a disguised journalist) mischievously posed a question about Islam’s view on apostates and blasphemers. As a student who had studied the issue for the first time, I simply did my best by answering direct from legal texts which I had read.

--more at link--


http://catstevens.com/articles/00236/index.html

[Bucky]

46. Yusef/Cat's clarification: kill Rushdie after trial, not by murdering him

His clarification is that Rushdie should be executed for his blasphemy, but not just murdered by some single individual's fatwa. Huh? That's a better stand to take? He can sing good and write great, but he's dead dead wrong about this.

Should we deny him entry to this country for being a butthead? Hell no. We welcome buttheads in this country. Sometimes we even put them up in mansions and cover their living expenses.

[Must_B_Free]

50. Upon further research

it was not actually the Blasphemy that was the offense that Cat wanted him execued for, it was the crime of Apostasy, which is defined as attempting to leave the faith.

I did a good bit of research on The Satanic Verses and Islam itself last night. The crux of the arguement is this:
The Satanic verses are/were a section of the Koran where Muhammad acknowledged the three fates - three super gods from the polytheistic time repesenting "creation", "life" and "death".

The main focus of Islam as a movement then had to do with the destruction of Pagan culture and transformation into a "one God" system.

Therefore when these verses were in the Koran, they were later revised out with the explanation that these particular verses were a vision put into Mohammad's head by Satan and therefore were removed.

It was speculated that they were originally included
A. as a selling vehicle to appeal to Pagan converts by including some character of their former religion
B. were snuck in by some converts who wanted to retain some right to their old ritual.

The argument presented in The Satanic Verses, a work of fiction, is that Mohammad couldn't have been divinely inspired as he claimed if he included these problamatic verses. In the book, Rushdie reveals his intention to leave Islam because he considers it a sham - for this he received the death sentence from an Islamic cleric.

[NNadir]

55. So Mr. Islam wanted to kill someone for coming to their senses?

That makes me feel much better, suggesting a Death sentence for "thought-crime."

[Ardee]

45. one of the more disgusting threads in

a long history of sophomoric and stupidly thought out concepts here at DU (not personally directed at this particular thread starter)...free speech?, accuracy in citing facts?, considered opinions?????....who needs any of that when we can vent tetosterone induced drivel at the top of our lungs.

I am sooooo happy that this uber patriotic display of Karl Rovian like philosophy comes from the supposed opposition to those like Rove.

My vision for America does NOT INCLUDE banning folks for their opinions...I am truly sorry that your vision so mirrors Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and the rest

[Must_B_Free]

47. If I have this correct

You say that it's "sophmoric and stupid" to talk about banning people for their opinions, but's it's A-OK for Cat Stevens to talk about executing people for their opinions.

Would that be an accurate characterization of your opinion? Execution = good, Banishment = Bad?

And by the way, I don't necessarily think he should be banned from the country as I stated, it was rather a euphamism for saying "I'm not jumping on board a Peace Train that endorses accomplishment of it's methods by use of execution."

And also, by the way, I presented the facts in the form of words attributed to him on his own website - evidence that is both accurate and factual, which you seem to have conveiniently ignored.

In fact, you seem to have chosen no factual rebuttal and only a personal attack.

[Ardee]

70. how clever you are not....

I did not post a gutter language diatribe against the rights of free speech, that would be you. Thus it is rather ironic to see you now ask for factual rebuttal to a post that deserves only the loudest of condemnations.

You reply:
You say that it's "sophmoric and stupid" to talk about banning people for their opinions, but's it's A-OK for Cat Stevens to talk about executing people for their opinions.

Would that be an accurate characterization of your opinion? Execution = good, Banishment = Bad?

I say that if this is the best you can do to think about what people post then it is a rather huge waste of time debating with you. Where in your tiny little understanding of my post does it say that supporting free speech correspond to supporting execution. I doubt seriously if you even know what Yusef Islam meant by his remarks, which were an explanation of Islamic law and not a call for murder.

You are not my idea of an American citizen cxalling as you do for banishment and silencing of opinions. Yuch!

[Cocoa]

48. you need a nap

you're acting like a little boy. Maybe girl, but my guess is boy.

[Must_B_Free]

51. please address the facts and refrain from personal attack

[TexasSissy]

53. Here's one of his clarification statements.

Yusuf Islam Issues A Formal Statement On The Rushdie Affair
By Yusuf Islam
March 2nd, 1989

Under Islamic Law, the ruling regarding blasphemy is quite clear; the person found guilty of it must be put to death. Only under certain circumstances can repentance be accepted.
On 21st February, I was speaking to a group of students at the Kingston Polytechnic, and in response to a question, I simply stated the Islamic ruling on the Rushdie affair. Suddenly. my picture was splashed on the front page of newspapers all over the world next to the headline: 'Kill Rushdie says Cat Stevens (Bio)'. It is very sad to see such irresponsibility from the 'free press' and I am totally abhorred.

My only crime was, I suppose, in being honest. I stood up and expressed my belief and I am in no way apologizing for it. I expressed the Islamic view based on the Qur'an, the Prophet's sayings (peace and blessings be upon him) and the rulings of the Caliphs and renowned schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

However, that is not to say I am encouraging people to break the law or take it into their own hands: far from it. Under the Islamic Law, Muslims are bound to keep within the limits of the law of the country in which they live, providing that it does not restrict the freedom to worship and serve God and fulfil their basic religious duties (fard'ayn). One must not forget the ruling in Islam is also very clear about adultery, stealing and murder, but that doesn't mean that British Muslims will go about lynching and stoning adulterers, theives and murderers. If we can't get satisfaction within the present limits of the law, like a ban on this blasphemous book, 'Satanic Verses' which insults God and His prophets - including those prophets honoured by Christians, Jews as well as Muslims - this does not mean that we should step outside of the law to find redress. No. If Mrs. Thatcher and her Government are unwilling to listen to our pleas, if our demonstrations and peaceful lobbying don't work, then perhaps the only alternative is for Muslims to get more involved in the political process of this country. It seems to be the only way left for us.

The fundimental issue which has put the non-Muslim world at loggerheads with Islam, is not that of the book or attempts to ban it. Indeed it is encouraging that many non-Muslims, including the Archbishop of Canterbury endore the request of Muslims that the Blasphemy Law be extended to cover the Islamic faith. When Jim Allen's play 'Perdition' was harassed out of existance by angry jews - some of whom burned an effigy of the writer - the British reaction was muted. The present attitude of the Government and press is obviously as a result of their opposition to the Islamic legal ruling that Rushdie should be executed and the fact that it has come from an Islamic country.

The fact is that as far as the application of Islamic Law and the implementation of full Islamic way of life in Britain is concerned, Muslims realize that there is very little chance of that happening in the near future. But that shouldn't stop us from trying to improve the situation and presenting the Islamic viewpoint wherever and whenever possible. That is the duty of ever Muslim and that is what I did.


www.catstevens.com
I think he thinks the above makes everything okay. That he doesn't support lynching, but does support a state-sanctioned execution for the publishing of a book that in the view of some is against his God speaks volumes (pun intended).

He sounds like a dangerous zealot to me. To contribute to Hamas fits in with his reported views. He has no legal right to come to this country. However, if he thinks he should not be a list barring his entry into Israel or the U.S., he can certainly hire a lawyer and start the proof required...producing income tax and charitable contribution records, etc. Since other muslims have been allowed into the country, I tend not to believe this was an action against a muslim, per se, or anything personal against the singer. His name is on a list because Israel says he contributed to Hamas, a terrorist organization. He has not denied this; he has denied giving to a terrorist organization, which is not the same thing. Some people do not admit or accept that Hamas is a terrorist organization, or they split the organization into terrorist and charitable. That argument has been over for ages. Hamas is a terrorist organization. That it also does some charitable work does not change that fact.

[mitchum]

54. Rushdie is a terrible writer, but he doesn't deserve death...

Face it; the fatwa was the BEST thing to happen to Rushdie's career and reputation. Now he is no longer a sophomoric, pretentious meta-novelist, but a "hero"

[Must_B_Free]

56. Summary of Ironies

1. I'm bad for having said that Stevens deserved banishment for his words and he's right for saying that Rushdie deserved the death sentence for his words.

2. Christian Reconstructionists who support the use of stones to execute heathens because stones are "cheap and plentiful" are insane, but the same in Islam is just fine.

3. The utter irony that the Whitehouse flipflopped on this when it turned sour on them and are now presenting on Drudge "MAG: Cat Stevens Incident Started With Spelling Error – No ‘Yusuf Islam’ on ‘No Fly’ List, But There Is a ‘Youssouf Islam’... "

4. Islam and Ollie North seem to support the same view "At the end of the day there's peach because the enemy is dead, dead, DEAD!" In the end, peace is an imprescise word because it doesn't distinguish between peach through understanding and respect vs. peace through obliteration of your enemy.

[neebob]

57. Okay, so he believes one version of the same basic story

that most of the world's population also believes, and he's very strict about it.

Unfortunately for him, he picked the wrong version to get into the United States. Two separate things. One doesn't make the other OK.

[Brian_Expat]

60. Amen Bro

I despair when I see the far left rushing to cover this guy's ass. He is a HUGE supporter of Islamic violence, including Hamas (which bombs school busses) and also a major supporter of the "fatwa" against Salman Rushdie.

The thing that always kills me is how, for so many ultra-lefties, Christian fundamentalism is evil. However, if a Muslim fundy says something equally fractured to a Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson, his opinion must be "respected."

[DulceDecorum]

62. Oh my goodness!

Do you REALLY do that with your mother?

What does your father have to say about it?

[Must_B_Free]

65. telling

that there have been only personal attacks and, as yet, no standing defense of Cat based on logic or fact.

I perfectly willing and open to being persuaded. Someone please do, I've seen the bio, I don't want to feel any ill will towards the man, but where's the logical or factual defense of this stuff?

I admit I used the profanity and deportation bit hastily; I felt jipped that I had defended Stevens for days, only to find out that, a tad below the superficial there are some disturbing details that he wants only to avoid, and his defense on the record offers little to appease one who suddenly gets the impression that if this guy were under Islamic law that called for him to participare in stoning someone to death, he'd do it.

Is this guy really a beneficial hero to a progressive movement?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

63. I am aware of this and I now say that Mr. Stevens should NOT....

be allowed back into the Country. Cat is an "Islamic Facsist".

This is what the Nazis wanted and Cat condoned it. He has his rights to this belief but he should live in Saudi (Nazi) Arabia then, not here in America.

Read this Cat Quote: "he should be sent to Iran for his just desserts"! Now as we ALL should know, the "penalty" for dissent in Iran is the DEATH PENALTY. The implacation is clear.

Cat Stevens in NO BETTER than the Falwell/Robertson "Chrisitan" Right, or should I say "Reich"?!?

[Crago]

64. "Yusuf Islam's comments

Anyone who says that an author deserves to be murdered for "Blashpheming against God" isn't welcome in my country, as far as I am concerned.>>

And "Your Country" is killing thousands in Iraq and Afgahnistan, so one author is more important then they? Your outrage is suspect!

[skooooo]

68. Wow, your 7th post and you're involved in this thread..

...that's interesting. Welcome!

[VOX]

66. Great. Let's join ASScroft, and incriminate people for what they **think**

And while we're at it, let's start deporting everyone who thinks in some why that's disagreeable. But why stop there? Let's also deport everyone who **looks** funny, too.

This kind of "otherizing" is how really, really bad things begin to happen.

[skooooo]

67. Isn't this the original Cat Stevens thread??

Are the mods shutting down all the dupicate threads, or just every one that came after this one and the one written by the guy defending fatwas??

[0rganism]

69. You keep your Ass away from my Mother, ya hear?

Yeah it's lame, I'm only on my first cup of coffee.