There was just a news bulletin about singer Cat Stevens (who converted to Islam many years ago) being on a airplane flight to the U.S., and the jet was forced to land because of some national security concerns about Stevens.

Anyone else hear anything about this?

Is it the one that was came from the UK and was diverted from Dulles to Boston or something like that because the name came up on the watch list?

I have FoxNews in the background and all they said was a news alert: a plane from the UK has been re-directed because a name of a passenger matches someone on the watch list. Nothing about Cat Stevens, or whatever he calls himself these days.

The scariest thing is this - why the hell didn't they check the passenger list/watchlist BEFORE the plane left the ground?

It's a wild world. :p

This whole terrorist watch list is getting out of hand. True, it can help check planes for real but it's being abused. It's being used against dissenters, Ted Kennedy and now Cat Stevens, now known as Yusef Islam. How the hell are they threats to national security?

What a wild world indeed.

I have it on very good authority that the FBI/CIA received some really hot intelligence that he was actively targetting recording studios and had detailed plans to make another record.

Seriously, the BBC reported this morning that this stems from Yusuf Islam (as he styles himself now) trying to make a visit to Israel in 1999. At that time the Israelis accused him of making a $10,000 donation to Hamas (something he strenuously denied). So his name was put on a security risk list where it has remained since. BTW the plane was diverted to Bangor, Maine. He is now awaiting a plane back to London, though his 21 year old daughter was allowed to travel on to Washington.

He was allowed to come to the US in May, but now he is not allowed? I thought he was a jerk back in the 1980's with the Salman Rushdie death sentence support, but he has been very clear that he condemned the 9/11 attacks and the Russian school seizure.

From his website:

In a statement on his Web site, he wrote, “Crimes against innocent bystanders taken hostage in any circumstance have no foundation whatsoever in the life of Islam and the model example of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.”

After the Sept. 11 attacks, Islam issued a statement saying: “No right thinking follower of Islam could possibly condone such an action: The Quran equates the murder of one innocent person with the murder of the whole of humanity.”

Here's the article for those who may have missed it.

Unfortunately, I think this is now the time we live in. I certainly don't think Mr. Stevens (or Yousef) is any kind of threat to anyone, (and love his music btw). This is something that we will have to learn to live with IMHO.

Cat Stevens

TIS

He was cleared up what was misinterpreted as support for the death sentence on Rushdie. I think it was on "Behind the Music".

The only thing Yusuf Islam is guilty of is being a religious conservative. If they can keep him out, then I can think of a whole lot of people I'd like to see expelled for the same reason.

TIS, that may be because YOU don't have access to his file.

If those who do have decided that the former Cat Stevens is a security threat, then they probably have good reason to other than that he is simply a Muslim. If it turns out they are wrong and he's apologized to...so be it.

As some may have learned from 9/11/01 - better safe than sorry.

Best,
Apple

TIS, that may be because YOU don't have access to his file.

If those who do have decided that the former Cat Stevens is a security threat, then they probably have good reason to other than that he is simply a Muslim. If it turns out they are wrong and he's apologized to...so be it.
[/b][/quote]Well, if there was some bad mamma jamma stuff on him that we don't know about it is even scarier, as DJ said above, that he was allowed on the plane and was able to fly around a bit on it at all.

In the words of Cat Stevens:

Everyone jump on the Peace Train...
Oh, Peace Train sounding louder, everyone jump on the Peace Train.

I seriously doubt anything came up in the last 3-4 months that warranted inclusion on the no-fly list. He was here in NY in May, then flew to Los Angeles right afterwards, so he wasn't on any list at that time.

I can see how a mistake could be made since it looked like his name could easily be mixed up (Yusuf vs Usef). It would seem to me that if it was a mistake they would have detained him and then let him continue on his way to Washington. They let his daughter go on, but kept him overnight and sent him out of the country today. For some reason he is no longer welcome here.

Appleonya is right. Obviously if they didn't want him in the country, there is a reason. Us saying he should be allowed in the country without knowing the facts is naive, what do we as normal citizens know about Cat Stevens other than we like his music?

Of course we don't have access to his file...and anything is possible. In my opinion this will amount to nothing, but if it does, than naturally it should be investigated.

However, my point is only that we are living in the world now where these security checks are of increasing importance and only pray these security forces are at their deligent best when a true terrorist tries to board a plane.

TIS

We know that there must be 3 levels of risk:

1 - DO NOT ALLOW TO BOARD.
2 - ALLOW TO BOARD, BUT DIVERT THE PLANE LATER
3 - OK TO BOARD.

And Cat Stevens falls in risk level 2 here.

We also know that the state of Maine is expendable.

TIS, that may be because YOU don't have access to his file.

If those who do have decided that the former Cat Stevens is a security threat, then they probably have good reason to other than that he is simply a Muslim. If it turns out they are wrong and he's apologized to...so be it.

As some may have learned from 9/11/01 - better safe than sorry.

Best,
Apple [/QB][/quote]Come to think of it, why don't we just give him the chair. We'd be 100% sure then, plus probably cheaper than a flight back to London.

If there is information on Yusuf Islam held by the US authorities why don't they share it with the British authorities so he can be arrested and charged in London??

BTW Apple, have you ever read 1984?? I'm sure when they have files on all of us and no-one is allowed to travel, you will be the first to complain.

TIS, that may be because YOU don't have access to his file.

If those who do have decided that the former Cat Stevens is a security threat, then they probably have good reason to other than that he is simply a Muslim. If it turns out they are wrong and he's apologized to...so be it.

As some may have learned from 9/11/01 - better safe than sorry.

Best,
Apple [/b][/quote]Come to think of it, why don't we just give him the chair. We'd be 100% sure then, plus probably cheaper than a flight back to London.

If there is information on Yusuf Islam held by the US authorities why don't they share it with the British authorities so he can be arrested and charged in London??

BTW Apple, have you ever read 1984?? I'm sure when they have files on all of us and no-one is allowed to travel, you will be the first to complain. [/QB][/quote]Yeah, since we all know why the government wanted him off the plane...I forgot, the US sends intelligence breifings to all it's citizens.

As long as we're using your logic, let's let all the terrorists on planes, after all...we wouldn't want a vast right-wing conspiracy to protect the US now, would we?

Obviously, we have no idea what the reason is that he was allowed to enter the country. Taking the high road here and assuming that he is a dangerous person, there are several disturbing problems with this incident.

If this man is on a terrorist alert list, what was he doing on a plane headed for the US? The idea of the list is to prevent incidents, not let these people board the planes and hope to divert the planes to different destinations somewhere en route. This shows that the system needs to be tightened if it is to be effective. It also shows why the recommendations of the 9/11 commission need to be enacted.

The other disturbing aspect of this incident shows a lack of cooperation and intelligence sharing with our closest and most suportive ally. The British foreign secretary complained directly to Secretary of State Colin Powell about the incident, indicating that the British disagreed with the action. Basically, if the man is dangerous to the US, he is also a threat to the British and for us not to share the info with them is alarming.

FYI - Here is a little more info with Stevens' comments.

Story


TIS

I think the US authorities should have held on to Cat Stevens and sent him to Guantanamo Bay. There he would have had to play round the clock warbly versions of Moonshadow, Lady D'Arbanville, Morning Has Broken and I Love My Dog. Let's see how long even the most dedicated Al-Quaeda member would have lasted under that sensory deprivation.

Wonder if this would have happened if he was a Yank?

Mick

Actually, I'm glad. I think it's nice to see people, who bash the US and it's policies, not be allowed into the country (security threat notwithstanding).

Almost like the recent Bobby Fischer thing.

---

I'm sure deporting him is entirely racially motivated. Yeah, and OJ was innocent, too.

I don't think OJ's guilt or innocence has nothing to do with this.

How is Bobby Fischer even remotely related to this?

How is his statement that calls the 9/11 attack and the Russian school attack deplorable bashing the US and it's policy? Because he re-issued Peace Train?

If the reason that he is on this list is because he donated money to a charity that has since been tied to a terrorist group - then fine - that is a good reason.

Don't ever leave the US SaladBar!!

Now, I'm no expert on the US Constitution but I seem to remember something about "speech" and "freedom".

Don't ever leave the US SaladBar!!

Now, I'm no expert on the US Constitution but I seem to remember something about "speech" and "freedom". [/b][/quote]I think Double-J didn't phrase that right. The dixie chicks spoke out against Bush and the whole U.S. and they were allowed back in. The difference is that when you take sides with another organization speaking out agains the U.S. (showing your loyalty to them) then you shouldn't be allowed back in.

I don't think OJ's guilt or innocence has nothing to do with this.

How is Bobby Fischer even remotely related to this?

How is his statement that calls the 9/11 attack and the Russian school attack deplorable bashing the US and it's policy? Because he re-issued Peace Train?

If the reason that he is on this list is because he donated money to a charity that has since been tied to a terrorist group - then fine - that is a good reason. [/b][/quote]Piece by piece...

1.) OJ - because Capo wondered if Cat Stevens was a Yank, and whether that has any bearing as to him being on the watch list. I was comparing it to a racially motivated case, albeit a different context.

2.) Bobby Fischer has done something different, but by playing his chess match during a time when the US banned commerce with Yugoslavia (if I recall...?), he technically committed treason. Consequently, he has gone across the globe, spouting his anti-American message, as well as an anti-Jew message, despite the fact that his mother is jewish.

3.) Yusef Islam apparently (I don't have any links to confirm) did donate to some charity or whatnot that has ties to Hamas, but that also wasn't my point. He spoke out against the war in Iraq and US foreign policy (which is fine, he is entitled, but that doesn't mean I approve of it).

My point is that people love the freedoms and protections of the United States, yet they feel compelled to bash us as well.

I frankly, don't think it works both ways, especially if you aren't a US citizen. Go back home, Yusef.

I am all for this "watch" list and all for investigating people who "may" be of suspicious character, hopefully before they board a plane, :rolleyes: no matter who they are. But for crying out loud, don't you think this investigation should run it's course before we send Cat Stevens out to slaughter???? I'm sure this is being looked into, and if there is just cause we will find out.


TIS

An amusing article I read today in The Independent (Sat 25 September 2004) by John Walsh.

The long article goes on and on, but I don't seem to have the energy to type any more.

Mick

Only in America do we care more about the incovenience of a security-risk than we do about the innocent lives on the plane.