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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Passenger Cat Stevens Gets Plane Diverted
By LESLIE MILLER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - A London-to-Washington flight was diverted to Maine when it was discovered that passenger Yusuf Islam — formerly known as singer Cat Stevens — was on a government watch list and barred from entering the country.
United Airlines Flight 919 was en route to Dulles International Airport when the match was made Tuesday between a passenger and a name on the watch list, said Nico Melendez, a spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration.
The plane was met by federal agents at Maine's Bangor International Airport around 3 p.m., Melendez said.
Homeland Security Department spokesman Dennis Murphy identified the passenger as Islam. "He was interviewed and denied admission to the United States on national security grounds," Murphy said.
He said Islam would be put on the first available flight out of the country Wednesday.
Officials had no details about why the peace activist might be considered a risk to the United States. Islam had visited New York in May for a charity event and to promote a DVD of his 1976 MajiKat tour.
One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Islam, 56, was identified by the Advanced Passenger Information System, which requires airlines to send passenger information to Customs and Border Protection's National Targeting Center. The Transportation Security Administration then was contacted and requested that the plane land at the nearest airport, that official said.
Melendez said Islam was questioned by FBI (news - web sites) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
Another federal official, who is in law enforcement and spoke anonymously because of agency policy, said that after the interview, Customs officials decided to deny Islam entry into the United States.
Flight 919 continued on to Dulles after Islam was removed from the flight.
Islam, who was born Stephen Georgiou, took Cat Stevens as a stage name and had a string of hits in the 1960s and '70s, including "Wild World" and "Morning Has Broken." Last year he released two songs, including a re-recording of his '70s hit "Peace Train," to express his opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq (news - web sites).
He abandoned his music career in the late 1970s and changed his name after being persuaded by orthodox Muslim teachers that his lifestyle was forbidden by Islamic law. He later became a teacher and an advocate for his religion, founding a Muslim school in London in 1983.
Islam founded Islamia Primary school in London in 1983. In 1998, it became the first Muslim school in Britain to receive government support, on the same basis as Christian and other sectarian schools.
A statement posted on a fan-supported Web site where his music is promoted said Islam being on a watch list "is certainly an error."
"It's also a very sad state of affairs when a man best known as a peace loving pop star can be grouped into the same category Osama Bin Laden just because of his chosen faith," the statement said.
Islam drew some negative attention in the late 1980s when he supported the Ayatollah Khomeini's death sentence against Salman Rushdie, author of "The Satanic Verses." Recently, though, Islam has criticized terrorist acts, including the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the school seizure in Beslan, Russia, earlier this month that left more than 300 dead, nearly half of them children.
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." |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Well, this is where your tax dollars are going folks. Hundreds of uninspected freight containers are allowed into our ports every week, but Cat Stevens can't get in.
I saw a recent interview with him where he said that he does not support any kind of terrorism and did not not support the Salman Rushdie death sentence. He seems to be very sincere about his beliefs, and is clearly a peace advocate.
Good thing he was not allowed to get into the country. We wouldn't want anyone advocating peace! Jeesh! |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | "Be Afraid, Be very Afraid"
It really is time for a change! |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | This will probably get my name on the list if it isn't already. |
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Location: Converse, Texas | I should probably not comment on this... |
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Location: SoCal | I read this story last night, and even tho' I'm very conservative (almost libertarian) I agree with the sentiments of what's been posted. You will note that it was straightened out. Keep in mind that no system is perfect but that it often works well. When Wong and I flew by to Ovation in March, he was searched much more than I. Obviously, the system was working.
As to the borders, I just recently heard that to effectively shut down the borders, we would need a military several times larger than the one we have. Not practical, so other measures are needed, other routes followed.
My wife is a nurse and I'm a p.i. We both know that you do what you can, not necessasarily what you should. |
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Location: Omaha | Unfortunately, what that article FAILED to say is that Islam/Stevens has, in the past, given money to organizations who are sympathetic to the terrorists agenda. He was rightly stopped and questioned based on these facts.
...when you want to know what's REALLY going on, follow the money; our checkbooks say much more about what we believe than our lips do... |
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Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | "Recently, though, Islam has criticized terrorist acts..." Call me a cynic, but could his "recent" conversion back to being a peacenik have something to do with his attempt to re-start his music career? I note he came to the U.S. in part to promote a CD.
For many years he was part of the problem, not part of the solution. I wonder how many minds were poisoned with anti-western venom in that school he started.
I like his music; I don't think I like him. |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | My point is, I really don't think that Cat Stevens was going to come to this country to commit a terrorist act. As far as the money goes, if we really followed the money trail to the terrorists, our "friends" Saudi Arabia would be a parking lot right now. Let's face it, our country puts up with terrorism as long as it benefits us. The U.S. supported Saddam in his war against Iran and supported the Shah of Iran before that. Both of whom were oppressive dictators who tortured and killed their own people. We didn't seem to have a problem with it at the time. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Ay caramba! What a brew:
Politics, terrorism, religion and music.
I have to say though, I really liked his music. |
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Location: south east Michigan | A recent magazine article on "vacation cabin manners" stated that if a guitar is around "friends don't let friends play Moonshadow". |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | But I like Moonshadow!!Actually, not allowing him in is a little extreme.
Especially since he's obviously been here many times before. They may have very well made a mountain out of a mole Hill were Islam/Stevens is concerened. :cool: |
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Location: Upper Left USA | OK, paranoia time.
What did Elvis and Mike Tyson have in common? They followed the will of their Handlers to what ever end.
Although Yusef is as peaceful as a lamb is there a tie in the persons or group that he listens to. I don't mean Islam, I mean the actual group of "Handlers" that he may trust and follow.
Just another view. I am more afraid of a pissed off Postal Worker with a pocket full of sharp number two pencils.
And I love to play Moonshadow to warm up. Good stretch. |
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Location: Tennessee | According to my sources, Yusaf Islam (Cat Stevens) was on the list and denied entry into the US because the government has undeniable evidence that he is a major financial supporter of both Hamas and Al-Qaeda. The government simply does not want him raising money in the US to support his causes. I believe in his heart Yusaf is a peaceful man, but the organizations he supports are anything but. |
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Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | So I guess I can stop waiting for the Cat Stevens signature Ovation guitar to come out any time soon. :D :p |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | Maybe so Paul. But now that you've brought it up Martin will do signature model and have it ready in a coupleof weeks. :rolleyes:
Did I really say that? yep! :D |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Actually I find the funniest part of all this that "Cat Stevens was denied entry to the United States, so they sent him to Maine instead." That's pretty good.
No system is perfect. Do you want to wrongly deny entry to those who are entitled to it, or blindly let in all those who may pose a threat? Tough call. Maybe deep down inside Cat is a true red blooded American peacenik. Or then again, maybe Osama is sitting around the campfire strumming on Cat's old Slothead. |
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Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Steve, will that be the Martin "Jihad" signature model? I now own a Martin, so I probably rate a Martin signature model. After that, they can come out with the Martin "Jake" signature model, named after my Welsh Terrier. |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | Duncan,
Strangely enough martin has done just about everyone. But they have somehow missed cat Stevens adn The Jake model. No wthat we typed it, Engineers have read it and it will evntually happen. Stranger things have come to pass! :eek: |
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Location: SoCal | Just read that due to his associations with various groups, ol' Cat was deported. |
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Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Well, I'm still waiting for the Martin "Charles W. Kaman" signature model... :rolleyes: |
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Location: Upper Left USA | That might come in when their done putting together the Mary K. Letournou model for young hands.
When a Sitcom goes too far you can trasck it at "Jump the Shark". When did the C.F. Martin jump? |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Duncan, I'm waiting for that too!
Actually Ovation heard that he was coming and playing a Taylor so they pulled strings and had the kitty tossed out like litter. GFR! |
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Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | When did C.F. Martin "jump the shark"? I dunno - maybe the "Andy Griffith" model? The "Diane Ponzio"? |
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Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by leftovertion:
...when you want to know what's REALLY going on, follow the money; our checkbooks say much more about what we believe than our lips do...
I guess I believe in the mortgage company, the power company, the cell phone company, the local grocer (haha, yeah right...the local chain grocer outlet is more like it) and, uh, PayPal (for those impulse buys) . |
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Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Slipkid:
A recent magazine article on "vacation cabin manners" stated that if a guitar is around "friends don't let friends play Moonshadow".
Dang, that was the first serious fingerstyle piece I learned. I still enjoy it. And it has the added benefit of cheesing off the Mrs. who had to listen to me play it over and over whilst learning. :) |
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Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by MWoody:
That might come in when their done putting together the Mary K. Letournou model for young hands.
How about a Martin Lorena Bobbit model with really high action that will really slice up your, uh, fingers.
Man, this place is starting to affect my thought patterns... |
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| Wow another off ovation topic? Been living under a rock I guess, I did not know about Cat Stevens recent history? To bad I used to like his music. I'll personally never play another one of his songs!
Although I feel that dam watch list is a good thing (in the times we live) I do feel it needs to be constantly updtated and investigated better. As it is now, It's got big problems But, I would rather piss off Cat Stevens than let some nut fly my family into the White House!
Ya know if we all lived in that perfect world, where some seem to think we live, Peace, Religion, and Politics could all exist quite nicely together. We could all play music, earn a living and not worry about how the crooked politicians or the twisted religious leaders were going to screw with us today! but hey we just do not live in that world! Not even close bud! Right?
As far as I am concerned I hate to say any one group is evil but the facts remain that many (IF not all) of the terrorists who have and are still willing to die to hurt our country and way of life are Islamic. And where are the big mouth Muslem's who used to try and take center stage in the past like Mr. Faracon or how ever you spell his name and so many others, and why, "WHY" are they not out front in condeming these attacks in this country and overseas every day? If this "Religion" has such a good and wise doctrine to follow why are so many of these lunatic Islamic leaders twisting it's translation so often and creating generations of children and adults who "Hate" for Hates sake? While the rest of the Islamic world sit's on it's proverbial ASS and does nothing! Yeah I wonder just how much of this hatred coming from the Radical Islamic world has the blessings of the rest of the supposedly peaceful Muslems?
I am befuddled at the people who are willing to argue about a list of names while these Fu&^**#g Ba#%^rds are rounding up civilians based upon nationality and beheading them over there! Just for the effect! and tell me if they had a NUKE how long would they have to think about setting it of in NYC? bet about a half a second! Who's the bad guy's here? As far as I am concerned I was all for civil liberties up until 9/11. NO more. I have to say if you are a liberal you have to take a step back. Personally It does my heart good to see a good security check before I and/or my family gets on a plane!
I sure hope I have not offended anyone with these simple minded redneck sort of views about this watch list thing but ya know; I am the poor bas^$rd who is going to be the FIRST ONE to stand up and kill one of these pricks if I was on a plane being hijacked! And I'll bet there will be a few "Liberals" who would try and bring charges against me for murder when we landed!
NOw that's the world we live in and these are tough times! "To He*l with Cat Stevens" I'll take that list of names for now!
Randy |
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| And another thing! |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Back to Guitars - everybody get out your Pete Seeger songbook and play with me.
To every thing, turn, turn, turn... |
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Location: Florida | Borders, language, culture... |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Yes, Borders do have books on language and culture and all them other things too.
It's good to know that the system is in place and working. Now maybe he is OK and no problem, maybe he should have checked this out before getting on the plane? There is a little more comfort in a screening plan that catches too many than not enough. |
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Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | It's just wild, Cat Stevens, a terrorist. Who knows what he is doing. Yea, I guess no Cat model LX in the works. Hey, Morning has Broken........
Tommy |
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Location: Florida | IF he has raised or given money for/to groups supporting terrorism... its as good as pulling the trigger, or pressing the button man. |
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Location: SoCal | Wouldn't you like to see a modern Folklore, 12 frets to the body, with an LX body and neck? How cool would that be? |
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Location: Zion, Illinois | Originally posted by leftovertion:
Unfortunately, what that article FAILED to say is that Islam/Stevens has, in the past, given money to organizations who are sympathetic to the terrorists agenda. He was rightly stopped and questioned based on these facts.
...when you want to know what's REALLY going on, follow the money; our checkbooks say much more about what we believe than our lips do...
The article I read did NOT fail to mention this. He claims he gave money to what he thought were humanitarian relief (food/meds/etc), not to promote terrorism. His many many anti-terrorist statement echo the sentiment of most TRUE believers of Islam - terrorism and murder are wrong and totally against what he and they believe in.
And maybe it did warrant questioning him, but why divert the plane? Hey, they know who Cat Stevens is, why not wait for the plane to land instead of putting everyone out of their way? And also, if he's on the list why was he permitted to board??? If he was a terrorist, wouldn't half way across the ocean a little too late??? |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | That would be a nice guitar but I sure wish the off topic area were open. Or maybe not |
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Location: Zion, Illinois | Originally posted by willard:
That would be a nice guitar but I sure wish the off topic area were open. Or maybe not
Did I ever mention that Cat is one reason I started playing Ovations in the first place???? |
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Location: Central Oregon | I don't see how anything pertaining to music or musicians could really be considered off topic. Especially if some of 'em played Ovation guitars. All of the most fun threads we have on here are the ones that wander around some. Some wander around *a lot*. Good.
Personally I never really paid much attention to Cat Islam or whoever he is. Heard his music way back when. It went in one ear & out the other. As for CCR/Fogerty, I like a lot of the tunes. I never really paid much attention to the words to his songs, other than '..there's the bathroom on the right', or was it 'there's the bedroom on the right' or 'here's m'a bedpan on too tight' or was it 'there's a dead man on my flight'?
I haven't been able to understand the words to songs for years anyway, for the most part. Probably better that way. I would probably be pissed off if I knew the words to half the songs I've been listening to for 35 years. Hell I didn't know Guantanamera was in Spanish until the other night when I saw ol' Whatsisnose on TV singing it & the closed captioning was in Spanish.
/\/\/
Btw, Randy- it took a lot of balls (or booze :) ) to make that post. Since it was coherent I'm thinking it' was the former. Although I can't say I agree with you 100% I applaud you for having the guts to state your opinion! |
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Location: SoCal | re: "And I'll bet there will be a few "Liberals" who would try and bring charges against me for murder when we landed!"
naw, they would stand up, get in your way, and want to talk about it..."can't we all get along?" or spout Carterisms. |
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Location: Portsmouth England | Originally posted by Bradley:
He claims he gave money to what he thought were humanitarian relief (food/meds/etc), not to promote terrorism.
It's sometimes a little difficult to tell the difference, eg. the Irish Northern Aid Committee. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. |
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| Yeah I'll admit, Nils, Balls I got but brians? That we don't know.
I gotta start a Geeetar thread? |
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Location: Tennessee | My last thoughts on the topic and then (click).
And maybe it did warrant questioning him, but why divert the plane? Hey, they know who Cat Stevens is, why not wait for the plane to land instead of putting everyone out of their way? And also, if he's on the list why was he permitted to board??? If he was a terrorist, wouldn't half way across the ocean a little too late???
The name on the list was Yusuf Islam, not Cat Stevens, and it's not likely the intelligence analysts made the connection. There are a lot of names on the list. The British acknowledged that they didn't get the passenger list scrubbed against the US do-not-fly list in time. Once the flag popped up on US systems, the plane was diverted to the nearest available airport, which was Bangor. Setting the plane down was the correct course of action given the circumstances and our national security posture. A name and profile are just that ... and there are no gray areas in matters of this nature. I know there are red faces within our security agencies over this, but it's reassuring to know our security precautions are indeed working. Whether Yusuf should be on the list at all is a matter that will no doubt be discussed in many venues, especially within our security agencies.
One of my business partners (a Muslim), knows Yusuf personally and has in fact had him as a guest in his home. We talked about this yesterday and he is shocked at what has transpired. He told me that he has never met a more gentle, peace-loving, sincere individual than Yusuf. The tracking of the money to terrorist organizations is clearly a mistake, either on our government's side, or perhaps even on Yusuf's side by donating to organizations who diverted the money to causes other than what Yusuf intended.
Finally, this is not simply a Muslim thing. Remember, the same restrictions were on Garry Adams back in the '80s and '90s during the violent Belfast days. |
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Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | I agree with you Paul. I would love to see/have a guitar like that. I have a Pacemaker 12, and I love it. I'd love to have it's little brother to go along with it.
The news last night showed an older picture of Cat playing his six string slothead joined to the body at the 12th fret... Sure looked nice...
If a person were to, say start looking for one, what would the model number be?
Dale |
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Location: SoCal | Acoustic electric Folklore -- model 1614. It was discontinued in the early 1980's.
I never thought it had a great unplugged sound. But I have to believe that if Ovation went back and did it with the LX bracing and bowl, it would be a knockout sound. |
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Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | Thanks Paul, I might just keep my eyes open for one... For the right price of course...
Dale |
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Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma | This is a long one so hang on to your hats or just click to the next reply..
A couple of months ago I bought Cat Stevens "Majicat" DVD... Recorded in 1976 and a great concert... There is a interview with Yusuf Islam in the extras section... Pretty interesting interview about being in the music industry in the seventies... I'd still love to hear him do a live concert of his old music... I'm not privy to all the information that John Ashcroft has on me or on Yusuf... I just know that every time I go thru security at the airport they do everything but strip search me... Don't know why, just happens.... Our government does go overboard at times to "try" to stop potential terrorists from entering the country but I think alittle on the safe side is ok... But, I'll continue to play Cat Stevens music and believe that "Tea for the Tillerman" is one of my top 20 favorite albums... I don't dismiss peoples music because of their political or religious beliefs... Look what happened to the Dixie Chicks... If I like the music it is of little or no regard to me whether a person is Democrat, Republican, Christian or Muslim... After all, do we all denounce (Casius Clay) Muhammad Ali now because he's Muslim... What about Kareem Abdul Jabbar?... The list goes on and on... I know that Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and the such are just as dangerous in closing minds and hearts to the acceptance of others as some of the Imans in mosques... Now, people who preach violence in the name of religion are truly a physical threat to our way of life but that's been going on for centuries... The Spainish in settling the New World, The Catholic Church during the crusades... Religion has corrupted the thinking of millions over the centuries because organized religion only works when it has money which equates to power... Control peoples hearts and minds by telling them what God wants and you control their wallets, that equals power.. I'm a non pracicing Catholic from 12 years of Catholic schools... Registered Democrat that will vote for Kerry and I'd be the first one to die trying to stop a terrorist from taking over a plane... Liberal doesn't mean un-American, whimp or liar... Taken from the dictionary Liberal means:
Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
I'm proud to be associated with this description...
And, I'll be happy listening and playing a very diverse list of songs from a variety of songwriters including, Toby Keith, Dixie Chicks, Cat Stevens, Charlie Daniels ect.. ect.. ect..
Just my two cents worth, (Kicking Soapbox out from under me)..
Gerald
"Man must fight for freedom sure that's what most other people would say
Look for a body to lead them but there's too many to lead them away.
Why wait until it's your time to die before you learn what you were born to do'?
Come on now it's freedom calling but there's only one freedom for you."
Cat Stevens: Foreigner Suite |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | One last thought. It’s unfortunate that in order to “bring freedom to the rest of the world”, some think it’s OK to sacrifice our own? We’re currently having a Cat Stevens day here in the office with the tunes playing loud and free. Interestingly, the people here who support the governments actions have absolutely no idea who is singing. Figures! |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I think that a 1624 redux would be a popular guitar. Problem is I already have one. |
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Location: SoCal | Ok Bill. I tend to support the government's actions in regard to the terrorist and I know who Cat Stevens is (was?).
Now tell me what you would do to prevent further terrorist attacks in the U.S.? Don't tell me what you wouldn't do as I'm certain you wouldn't have gone to Iraq. What would you have done? What proactive actions would you, President Willard, have done to prevent further attacks?
Aw, this is pointless. I hate blanket statements regarding the stupid of some group of which you're not a member. |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | I just hope that after the elections are over we can all be friends again at least for another 4 years. |
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Location: SoCal | Can't we just all get along? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | The 1624 WAS re-issued as a kick-ass 12 fretter. It's the FD14. My prediction is that in time these limited 50 guitars will be very highly sought after.
As far as all the politics, I am 100% positive that after the election we will ALL be best of friends again. |
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Location: Omaha | Mwoody wrote:
"Back to Guitars - everybody get out your Pete Seeger songbook and play with me.
To every thing, turn, turn, turn..."
Actually, if you look that up in the Bible (Ecclesiastes 3.1-8) you will find that is does say, "...a time for war, and a time for peace." (v. 8). We happen to be living in a time when war has become necesary to defend ourselves and those who cannot defend themselves. |
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Location: SoCal | Let's not forget that we are all friends.
Hey, if you can't snipe at your friends..... |
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Location: Converse, Texas | OK.. last night on America's No. 1 news channel -- FOX NEWS -- they showed a clip of Cat Stevens playing an Ovation slothead. ANyone know which model it is?
AND ... for the record ... some of the Muslim organizations in which he raised money for had ties to Al-Queda. Therefore, why should we let him in our country to raise money within our borders for organizations fighting against our military? :eek: |
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Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma | Don't you think if the Government had proof that Cat Stevens had "In Fact" financially supported terrorists they would have arrested him and charged him?.... We're seeing it done in this country right now... Why hasn't one of our best allies (Britain) done the same thing?... He is after all a British citizen and resides in London...
Gerald |
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Location: Texas | Dave,
You meant, the FD14 Limited Edition is a reissue of the Folklore 1614, not the 1624 Country Artist.
Cat's slothead is a Folklore 1614.
Serge
www.sergiolara.com ;) |
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Location: Tennessee | Wouldn't it be cool if the slotheads being shown on the news (I haven't seen the clips) were one of the two elusive Adamii slotheads he got from the factory? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I find a funny aspect to this whole Catbox thing is that many of us on this thread think Yusif should have gotten special treatment because he used to be Cat Stevens or used to play Ovations, etc. Well, isn't that kind of discriminatory against all the other muslims with suspected (or real) ties to terrorism? I mean if I was just your average american hater or bush hater muslim who didn't used to be Cat Stevens, wouldn't I be pissed of that Yusif got in and I didn't? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Serge is correct, 1624 is the nylon string 14 fretter. Also a nice instrument. |
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Location: Las Vegas | The whole incident is a complete publicity stunt for the government. Do any of you know how easy it is for ANYONE to gain access to a runway on ANY of our nations' airports to slip a canister of Sarin gas on a plane while "cleaning" it? And do any of you know how easy it is, once you knock out the entire plane with that gas, to take over the controls via ground-based remote control and then fly that plane into anything or anyone you want to? That our own military has had this capability for DECADES? And that all the airport "security" nonsense in the world THEY ARE CURRENTLY PUTTING US THROUGH cannot stop this from happening?
Yeah, I KNOW I'm a conspiracy "nut". Call me Mulder, the truth is out there, you just have to have the cynicism and courage to find it and face it. And I'm not going to clutter up this post with the hundreds of urls you can all find on the subject.
Only ONE GROUP of folks in this world is benefitting from 9-11 and the "war on terrorism" and it doesn't take a genius to figure out who or WHY. And it sure ain't a bunch of guys in rags hiding in caves.
Les |
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Location: SoCal | Les, you gotta get back on your meds, man. |
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| Sorry for adding so much juice to this post.
I am not going to rebut any of the political stuff this can lead to nothing but hard feelings within this group. Lets just say we all have our views and this is good. We all live where we can state them without getting our heads cut off with a dull knife!
It's just too bad the world we live in is filled with monsters and we need monsters to keep them at bay!
And I sure hate to be closed minded about Cat Stevens music but, hey! you can't say I am closed minded if I don't want to play his music??? I'm sorry wasn't it Cat Stevens who has already given up playing his own stuff?
Ohh yeah I almost forgot I'll bet he has not given up collecting those royalty checks or given them to beeaalzibub, or to whomever he answers to?
Randy |
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Location: NJ | This Just In:
BY ANDY BOROWITZ Los Angeles Times
". . Hours after being refused entry into the United States last week, 1970s
recording star Cat Stevens lashed out at the U.S. government, vowing to
resume his recording career "immediately" as the ultimate act of revenge.
Appearing on the Arabic-language satellite TV channel Al Jazeera, a
visibly angry Stevens -- now known by the name Yusuf Islam -- threatened
to attack the United States with the full force of his insipid folk-rock
music.
Brandishing an acoustic guitar, the erstwhile pop star warned that "no
one in America would be safe from my insidious melodies" before
launching into a spirited rendition of his 1971 hit "Peace Train."
A spokesman for the CIA said that experts needed more time to study the
chilling video but that it appeared to be authentic: "We do not believe
that anyone but the real Cat Stevens remembers the lyrics to 'Peace
Train.' "
On the campaign trail, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry
blasted President Bush for the Stevens incident, saying Bush's reckless
actions had resuscitated an irritating singer's long-dormant recording
career.
"When George Bush took office, Cat Stevens was not a threat," Kerry told
a rally in Akron, Ohio. "Through a successful policy of containment, his
music had mainly been limited to classic-rock stations. But now, thanks
to George Bush's misguided decision to provoke Cat Stevens, we may be
subjected to renditions of 'Morning Has Broken' and 'Moonshadow' and
'Wild World' for years to come."
Aides to Kerry passed out lyrics of songs by Stevens, including this one
from 1970: "I wish I knew, I wish I knew; what makes me, me, and what
makes you, you. It's just another point of view, ooo. A state of mind
I'm going through."
For his part, Bush defended the decision, telling a Denver audience,
"Cat Stevens is the first front in the war on terror, with Seals and
Crofts a close second. . . ." |
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Location: SoCal | I LOVE IT!!!!
Who actually wrote it? Nobody on the L.A. Times is that good of a writer. |
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Location: south east Michigan | QUOTE..."Bush told a Denver audience"
As in John Denver? |
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Location: NJ | Wouldn't that be fish? |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | Cliff,
You are too much man!! I'm laughing so hard I can hardly work myyykeyboard. :D |
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Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by xbj:
...the truth is out there...
This begs the question:
If the truth is 'out there,' what exactly is it that we have 'in here?'
No, wait... |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | RIMSHOT/CYMBAL!!! :D |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Cliff, wonderful post. Leave it to Kerry to have the words to Cat Litter's songs, of course maybe it was the ketchup lady. |
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Location: Las Vegas | You guys are just SO hilarious.
Hope you find the upcoming NK/Chinese nuclear attack, in honor of Bush's re-election by Diebold, EVERY BIT as funny.
Four more years... not quite. |
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Location: SoCal | You know, this is not the place for taking a strong political stance. I'm not certain what the prolbems of North Korea and China have to do with Ovation guitars. If somebody wants a political rant, then go to the appropriate website.
But this ain't it.
I won't go there. I won't talk about Clinton taking vast sums of money from China and allowing serious technology to be sold to the Chinese government. I won't talk about Clinton and Carter and their "treaty" with North Korea.
I won't talk about anything like that until Miles puts an independant and separate chat place on this board, geared just for discussions like that.
Then I'll avoid that area like the plague. I'm not on here to discuss politics. I'm here to discuss my love of 1) Ovations, 2) Guitars in general, and 3) music. |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I started this thread because it involved a musician that I would think that most poeple were familiar with, and was an Ovation player. Sometimes, politics and other "off topic" items become attached to guitar related topics. Are you suggesting that we simply not bring those things up? I have read nothing but interesting, spirited, and funny posts on this thread. Is this something that should be frowned upon here? |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | We can bump up against it and get our toes wet but once the water is over the feet we've spent too much time there. That is unless it's guitars we're talking about.
As far as to the election, well I have a favorite and you can probably guess who it is but that's my choice and if you want to talk about it we can, just not here. As far as who will win it's going to be a close call and in the end the country will survive either way. Enough of this political spoo. |
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Location: NJ | I heartily agree that politics be left OUT of here, but in xbj's defense, HE didn't go there first . .
It seems that (on BOTH sides), when somebody tosses $&^#$ over the fence and they get a volley of $^%*# back in return, it's always ". . hey! this isn't the place for "politics" . . "
If you really "don't wanna go there", then just JUST DON'T GO THERE . . .
A friend of mine e-mailed me the bogus "Cat Stevens article" and I thought that it was QUITE funny because (like the JibJab thing) it poked fun of the absurdity of the WHOLE situation. Since it had not contained any of the "bad" words that are unravelling the moral fibre of our society (THERE'S an oxymoron for ya!), I thought that it would be "safe" to put here. Evidently, I should have had the foresight to %^$^%-out the political names as well.
. . . . more *&^#$* that I need to learn t'keep to myself . . . |
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Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Unless my memory is playing tricks on me (it starts to happen a lot immediately after you turn 50), Cat Stevens did not write "Morning Has Broken." It's a traditional folk song, with a melody I happen to think is quite lovely.
On the political side of this thread, there was an article in Canada's National Post newspaper two days ago about the Canadian government learning that Stevens came to Canada in the late 1990's at the invitation of an organization identified as a front for the terrorist group Hamas. In a speech made during that visit, he denounced Judaism as a "so-called" religion. |
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Location: NJ | Oh, by the way . . .
I posted the bogus "Cat article" on the AcousticGuitar message board also (there was a "Cat Stevens" discussion there as well).
The overwhelming response was that Cat Stevens should've just been blindfolded and immediately assassinated on the tarmac . . . .
. . . not because of any religioso/politico affilliation, but because he played an Ovation!!!
(No that really didn't happen . . . just a futile attempt on my part to bring this "back around :-) |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Well, if drifting into areas other than guitars is something that people are not comfortable with on this board, I will respect that. I just think that it's a shame because I have found that most people on this board are capable of expressing their opinions (even on politics) in a non-argumentative and intelligent manor. I for one found it interesting, but I'll keep my non Ovation thoughts to myself. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I heard that Cat may be signing with Guitar Center. There seems to be a little reluctance to change the website name to Yusefsfriend.com though. They are also working on training seminars for their GC Salesman. The training will take place at several undisclosed locations in Montana. Small groups are encouraged.
I formed my first left hand calusses with "Into White", Moon Shadow" and "Father and Son". That was then and it is the past. The world has changed.
You can't buy a hammer at Walmart without lending support to subdued human rights somewhere. You can't put your faith in a single human being without finding an attachment, alliance, collusion or distasteful leeching onto by some group.
God and guitars, keep it simple. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Keep it simple, a great song by Keb Mo, G, C7 and D7.
Speeking of *&^*&^political spoo flying over the fence I guess the debates start tonight. Sounds like a race between the Farmall and John Deare to see which one can spread it the furtherest and fastest. Allis Chamers may make a guest appearance and it's rumored that Massey Ferguson may be there as well but is on the disabled list.
There also is a serious question about the most effective method of debate, vertical or horizontal. Should it be the old type of spreadder that had two spinning vertical wheels or the new horizontal kind that fling it like the salt spreaders these Yankees use on the roads in winter. Tough choice. |
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Location: NJ | Anybody who's read through the "Rules of Engagement" that are to be applied to this so-called "debate" will realize that it'll be no more than "Dueling Soundbites".
Can't do this.
Can't do that.
There is a predetermined (by both sides) list of criteria that can be discussed (and what can't be). . . .
The media is JUST as guity as BOTH of these chuckleheads.
The protocol of the Lincoln-Douglas debates should be re-enacted.
Personally, I feel that anyone who can't address a crowd without the aid of a teleprompter should not be allowed to run for public office . . |
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Location: Upper Left USA | So there won't be any questions called in from real voters? Dang!
At least American Idol let you call in! |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Watched a program on PBS the other night. Sorry, I can't remember names but the guy claimed that there hasn't been a real debate since the League of Woman Voters stopped hosting them with Barbera Walters. The Dems's and the Reps's got together and said "that's enough" and now they run the whole thing. They both got tired of answering real questions from real people. Even previous "town hall meeting" have all been staged with the questions being submitted days in advance and the people asking the questions were only allowed to ask what was on their card to the point that their mic was turned off as soon as the question was posed so they couldn't say "but..but...but what about an answer to the questions I asked". |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Ralph's lookin' better and better all the time> :D |
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Location: NJ | . . . let's not get "crazy" now . . |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | spoo, spoo, spoo, spoo, spoo, spoo ... spoo didity spoo ... I'd like a little spoo with my spoo please, without so much spoo |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Surely I jest! I liked Corvairs. I'll never forgive him for that |
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Location: NJ | We ALL make mistakes . . .
. . . I once bought a Fiat!! |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | My first computer was a Magnavox. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Cliff, that stands for Fix It Again Tony, with a little spoo on the side. |
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Location: Tennessee | The protocol of the Lincoln-Douglas debates should be re-enacted.
Better yet, how about Hamilton - Burr. Personally, I'd pay to see that one. |
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Location: Las Vegas | Well, my last comment was out of line and I apologize. I hope no one enjoys the coming NK/Chinese nuke attack... no wait, that's not right either!
I hope we all make it into bunkers, WITH our ovation collections!
Oh, and grab the wife and kids on the way!
There!
Les |
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Location: Las Vegas | Looks like a Cat Stevens resurgence.... was at Tower and started to laugh... huge hot of the press brand new expensive Cat Stevens box set... in the music book section brand new "Cat Stevens Complete". Looks like the gov did the same thing for Cat's career that Bill O'Reilly and Fox did for Al Franken when they tried to sue him.
Hey, maybe it's time for another Ovation endorsement deal!!
Les |
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Location: south east Michigan | A "Cat" owned Ovation sold on E-bay a few weeks ago. I bet the buyer is happy for all this recent attention. He could probably cash in on re-selling it. |
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| Political debates? What a Joke.
I guess Joe Walsh said it pretty good 30 years ago
"Back yard people when they work all day,
tired of the speaches and the way that the reasons keep changing...........
just to make the words rhyme"
I could have cared less to see these bags of wind blow air at each other while my YES concert that was scheduled to be aired thursday night was canceled!
They are running this Soundstage concert Saturday the 16th of OCT. if anyone else is interested at 11:00 PM. No Ovations but man these guy's are masters at their craft.
Randy Enjoy |
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Location: south east Michigan | Is Soundstage on PBS? |
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Location: NJ | Yes, it is.
(but you'd best check with your local PBS channel for the schedule) . . . |
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| Yeah most of the local pbs stations will carry it but they do buy these programs to run from the main site. You might want to check and see if they have it scheduled?
Mine up here in NY is WMHT and they are buying it but they can't tell me nor can I contact the right people at PBS to find out if there will be a DVD of this for sale after it has aired? If you have seen any of these sound stage performances they are quite good and the video as well as the sound are fantastic!
Randy |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Doesn't PBS stand for Public B@## S*%+? As we get to the erection it seems everyone feels compelled to throw in their two cents worth and that turns into three cents which gets upped to a nickle which..... |
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| A penny for your thought's?
Or should we say " Just draw what your thinking" |
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Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma | Everytime I've checked this string I laugh more ... It's good to be able to check a place like this and know that everyone that posts has an opinion and is somewhat respectful of other opinions... After all it's kinda like the diverse types of ovation guitars everyone has... We tend to love the sounds of the ones we have yet are respectful (and sometimes envious) of the other models... Yet some we don't like... But we don't tell others they have a piece of %*it... The banter has been great in this thread and that's just one of the reasons I visit often...
Gerald |
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| Darn! and I we tried so hard to offend everyone! Someone had to go and like it! |
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Cat Stevens