Remember when Yusuf Islam, fka Cat Stevens, was on a plane that was prevented from landing at its US destination because he was apparently on their 'No Fly List'? His heinous crime was that he sang songs about peace and was an outspoken Muslim convert - and that his name was similar to another name that was on their terrorist watch-list. Democratic US Senator Ted Kennedy was also prevented from flying on several occasions because he was on their list, and again the Feds said, "oh, no, there's a terrorist using the name T. Kennedy; can't take any chances, Senator." Which makes me think, what if the terrorists used the name 'John Smith', or better still 'George Walker Bush'? They probably do, but come on, we all know that the Feds are not that stupid. The name-similarity excuse is feeble to say the least, and when it seems to be just those who disagree with the Bush regime, it's not hard to see what's really going on. I was reminded of this when listening to the radio a couple if days ago, and there was an interview with a writer called James C. Moore. He wrote a book (and subsequent documentary) called 'Bush's Brain', which was about the role of Karl Rove in Dubya's rise to Presidency. Lest we say it does not show this administration in a favourable light, especially not Karl Rove. Anyway, this guy James Moore, who has won Emmy awards in the past for his TV reports, found out too that he was on the infamous no-fly list, or the 'No-Fly Watchlist' at least. He tried to get onto a plane, and was refused entry, and told to call agents in Washington. eventually they let him on, but now evert time he flies his name is flagged, and he has to go through the same measures, calling Washington, extra attention in security, extra proof of who he is. In short, this is a form of Government harassment. Because he wrote a book about Karl Rove, he is labelled a dissenter to the regime, and will now be treated as such. And how easy is it to get off this list? Not very, he says. It could take many months, or years. We tell children at school that bullying is wrong, and that we should stand up to bullies, yet there they are, in positions of power, and if you stand up to them, well you don't get to sit on a plane, or at the least you get the rubber glove before you do. They can't use the "oh your name is similar to a terrorist" gambit again (how did that ever work? The real world isnt like soap operas, more than one person can have the same name). It's obvious that Karl Rove just saw Moore's book and said, "hello, we'll fuckin' have this bloke." What implications does that have for the rest of us? Better cancel that holiday, pete, you said Bush was a prick! Isn't it nice to know that we are being governed by bullies?
that excuse doesn't fly
9.1.06 20:50
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(10.1.06 17:39) You'd think that in the post 9/11 environment, where the US air industry has still not recovered, they'd be encouraging people to fly rather than attempting to ban them from doing so. "Ah, welcome aboard, Mr bin Laden. It's so nice to see you again. Can I take your bag for you? What's that? You'd rather keep it with you. Oh, OK then. A bit fragile, is it? Can I get you anything? A drink perhaps? Oh no, of course not. How culturally insensitive of me. Well, I hope you enjoy the in-flight movie, I believe it's Fire Over Afghanistan today. Oh,perhaps you'd prefer the in-flight radio. There's a British post-punk special today. I've always been partial to 'Killing An Arab' by the Cure, you know." You know it makes sense. |
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(10.1.06 19:43) nice to see you, monsieur cooper! yeah, just more of the madness of president george. But of course Bushy isn't interested in Bin Laden any more, as he recently said when asked about the ongoing 'search': "you know, i just don't spend that much time on him." |
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