Lemme tall ya why I'm SO PISSED about Amy Winehouse and...

[TreasonousBastard]

the way some pecksniffian bureacrat is able to take time out between bouts of sniffing bicycle seats to anonymously deny entry to musicians, novelists, scientists, foreign businesspeople, and anyone else they decide isn't "good enough" to visit the Land of the Formerly Free. And no explanation is forthcoming due to some imaginary "security" concerns. The bureaucrats are backed up by their equally reclusive superiors and no one ever is responsible for the decision, or need explain it.

I keep seeing this, and it's not just after 9/11-- these assholes have been doing this for years.

Once got caught with a joint? Notwithstanding that the US is the biggest drug market IN THE WHOLE FUCKING WORLD, you've got a terminal case of moral turpitude and can't come to further encourage our own junkies, crack heads and speed freaks.

Overstayed a visa years ago by a couple of weeks? You can't come back. Ever.

Your name is similar to someone we once threw out, or have on a secret list? Too bad-- we can't afford to take the time to check and so you take the next flight home. And don't come back. Ever.

Ever said anything nice about any Communist, particuarly that one off Florida? Or his friend in Venezuela? Nope-- the pure, free, and wholesome American people can't be exposed to that sort of thing. Might cause riots, or worse. (Say they suck, though, and we let you right in, give you money and an apartment. Soon, we'll have lots of foreclosed houses to give to our anti-Castro friends.)

Now that we're focusing on the Middle East, and how everyone there is a terrorist until proven otherwise (except for Israelis-- they're on our side in this) be careful that they don't confuse Turks with Persians or think Sikhs are Arabs. Since it is no longer required that anyone employed by the US government know where the fuck any of these countries are on a map, much less any of their histories, you are in deep shit if you're slightly darker than the average German, flying any airline other than El-Al, or have a name they can't prounounce.

Welcome to the US. Enjoy your stay.

[gateley]

1. I read where the US had reversed that decision, and did decide to grant a visa.

She decided not to come, though, because of all the hassles it would involve. But that's not your point, and I understand that.

I agree with you TOTALLY. I am so ashamed of this country at times.

[emilyg]

3. I read that, too. She was granted a visa.

[WinkyDink]

9. Where?

[emilyg]

13. i think on aol - yesterday

[emilyg]

14. and here

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=24126

[riderinthestorm]

8. I worry for Amy Winehouse on a personal level; that chick needs rehab!

All of it! No corners cut. She needs to stay and figure her demons out. No matter if the US gave her a visa or not, she needs to stay and get her shit together.

I sincerely hope she decided to forego her vacation in the US, and persists in getting therapy. She needs it. We need her. I love her music and really hope she can beat her addictions.

[Blue_In_AK]

37. I agree with you there.

She's such a talented girl. I'd hate to see her go the way of Janis, Jimi, Kurt and so many others.

[TreasonousBastard]

11. Yeah, AP yesterday said it came through, but not in time...

for her to get here by tomorrow. Figures...

Didn't catch that earlier when I just happened to be listening to Back to Black and was thinking of all the people thrown out of here for lesser reasons. Or none at all.

I'm still pissed, though. Probably even more pissed that a pop singer can go through hoops and get it reversed, unlike most people.

(Not that anyone should have to go through those hoops...)

[americanstranger]

22. Back To Black just doesn't do it for me.

They caught the musical feel of Motown, but somehow they missed the joy of Motown.

Even in the saddest Supremes song or the most desperate Four Tops song, there was an exuberance there that Winehouse and her producer never captured. BTB just seems so dreary to me. Maybe it's all the drugs, I dunno.

- as

[roguevalley]

33. I'm glad she can't come. she can't walk without someone holding

her up. she belongs in rehab. she needs that as her only focus right now rather than stepping into the serpent pit of show biz and all the dicks just waiting to give her dope and take the pictures. good. stay home and get well, amy. you'll get whatever grammies you are intended to get whether you are there or not.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. The criminals in the White House run free to murder and steal, but we're busy denying entry to

innocents.

[davidinalameda]

4. she's a drug addict

I could give a rat's butt if she's kept out

[shugah]

18. wow dwickham!

i never think of you as so vehement.

[davidinalameda]

21. I'm just saying that people should save their outrage for someone else

she is not worthy of it

[TreasonousBastard]

26. Ummm, I thought I made it clear the outrage was for others.

[davidinalameda]

29. I apologize for any confusion on my part

you made some great points

[shugah]

38. to be honest

i have no idea who it is :shrug: i only clicked on the thread looking for a clue.

:hi:

[mike_c]

20. she's nonetheless a brillient vocalist who's been invited...

...to a music awards ceremony. She isn't here to sell your kids drugs.

[PassingFair]

30. So was Janis Joplin. And large percentages of the Rolling Stones, at times.

And Bronte and Dickens abused Laudanum.

http://drugs.uta.edu/laudanum.html

Not all geniuses are squeaky clean.
Are you afraid she'll INJECT you with something in your sleep?

[Hissyspit]

34. Personally, I have plenty of outrage to go around.

[Turn CO Blue]

5. Oh, I thought you were mad at her because she only shows up

for like 2 out of every 5 gigs.

[PDJane]

6. Farley Mowat was denied entry to the US during Reagan's

administration.

He was deemed a security risk because of his environmental writings and views. An apocryphal story has him being denied entry because of his opposition to training flights of US heavy fighters around Newfoundland. He was supposed to have said that He would have liked to have, somewhat paraphrasing, shoot one down. He later said he knew that was impossible; the ensuing explosion would have destroyed all of Newfoundland. No, I have no idea if it's true or not, but it's a fine tale.

He was also supposed to have said that he wanted to be reincarnated as a buzzard; nobody wants him or needs him or hunts him, and he can eat anything.

[WinkyDink]

7. I am a MAJOR AW fan (SO sad that she cancelled her earlier U.S. tour!), and think

the banning decision is BOGUS.
I Googled "news", and there is nothing about this being reversed.

Her moment will be when she waltzes away with a Grammy.

[REP]

10. She was granted a visa

[ben_meyers]

12. She was granted a visa

But too late for the Grammy Awards.

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jhn1cU_LLUez0-d8KegERz4gyejw

Now her British Pub has burned.

http://www.nme.com/news/nme/34221



Pub the Hawley Arms is damages in the Camden Fire

[-..__...]

15. I hope they verified that she got all her shots before they let her in.

That walking train wreck is one scary, messed-up skank.

Lets just hope she doesn't hook up with Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan.

[emilyg]

16. That should be the concern. Help first and foremost.

[alfredo]

17. Welcome to the United States.

Frank Zappa - Welcome To The United States


Reiner Romer: Ladies and gentlemen, here he goes, Peter Rundel, he seems to be disgusted. Whatever. Ridero ridera! <...> Ha ha ha! LAUGH NOW! (HA HA HA HA HA!) Be quiet! Von seiner Werkbank zu uns heute Abend hergekommen ist unser Hermann Kretzschmar wolle merm reinlasse? Laugh now! (HA HA HA HA HA!)

Welcome to the United States

This form must be completed by every nonimmigrant visitor not in possession of a visitor's visa.

Type or print legibly in pen in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. USE ENGLISH.

Item 7 - If you are entering the United States by land, enter LAND in this space. (LAND!) If you are entering the United States by ship, enter, unh-unh, SEA in this space.

Do any of the following apply to you? (Answer Yes or No)

(No! No! Yes! No! Yes! No!)

A. Do you have a communicable disease; (COUGH NOW! Coughs . . . ) physical or mental disorder; or are you a drug abuser or addict?

Tell me, Bill, Yes or No. (No) Louder. (No!)

B. Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime involving moral turpitude or a violation related to a controlled substance; or ever been arrested or convicted for two or more offenses for which the aggregate sentence to confinement was five years or more?

Answer Yes or No. (Yes! Yes, sir! Yes! No! No! No!)

Or been a controlled substance trafficker; or are you seeking entry to engage in criminal or immoral activities?

Answer Yes or No. (Yes or No) Thank you!

C. Have you ever been or are you now involved in espionage or sabotage; or terrorist activities; or genocide; or between 1933 and 1945 were you involved, in any way, in persecutions associated with Nazi Germany or its allies?

Answer Yes or No. (Yes)

Thank you very much! And welcome to the United States!

Reiner Romer: Thank you very much! Here they go! Frank Zappa and Hermann Kretzschmar! Back on stage, Peter Rundel!

[mitchum]

19. Dave Marsh on Amy Winehouse: "What is this shit?"

[taterguy]

24. Too bad we can't deport Dave Marsh

Of course since I've never knowingly heard Amy Winehouse sing I have no idea if his critique is accurate.

[girl gone mad]

23. She got her visa..

but decided to film via satellite instead.

Honestly, though, SHE is the one who chose to be a crackhead rather than clean up her act and be the toast of the grammies. I have little to no sympathy for her because she knew it was coming for months. Many people around her were encouraging her to get it together so she could avoid this very situation. She still gets special treatment as a celebrity. Undeserved. Maybe you should save your rant for actual victims.

[Fly by night]

25. Why should we be denied the sight of another soul-dead celebrity committing slow-motion suicide?

Now, THAT'S entertainment.

Honey, pass me the remote ....

[Mike Daniels]

27. Meanwhile U2 and Radiohead and other groups who are critical of Bush

tour the country and sell millions of records.

Amy Winehouse wasn't denied entry for any political reasons any more than the Kinks were denied entry for political reasons in the 60's. In other words, politics has nothing to do with it.

Do you honestly think the gov't is politically worried about an artist who is such a trainwreck that no-one would take anything she said seriously anyway?

[TreasonousBastard]

28. Did I say that? Gabriel Garcia Marquez was denied entry for...

political beliefs. Winehouse was denied because she's a garbagehead.

My point is that denial of entry should not be for such spurious reasons. The US is a political entity, not the personal private property of some pinchnosed crotchsniffer to close to anyone they feel is not "proper."

[americanstranger]

32. Great point, Mike.

Amy Winehouse is no threat whatsoever to the White House. Politics doesn't dictate every decision in this country.

Sometimes things are exactly what they appear to be.

- as

[Rosemary2205]

31. I thought you were talking about Canada.

They forced a cousin of mine to get back on the plane and go back to the US when he flew to Canada with his family for vacation. He got busted with a joint in 1972 - not even so much as a parking ticket since. They told him it was because of that drug arrest in 1972.

[marshall]

35. Has she endorsed anyone for president?

That could have something to do with it too.

[Quantess]

36. Clever of you to mention Amy Winehouse in the title.

You made me look! K&R