But like a lot of conventional wisdom, including ideas propounded about the CAOs, preconceived notions can make us look pretty foolish.
Our County and the world may be in turmoil, but on this Thanksgiving Day, we at least have a temporary ceasefire in Gaza between Hamas and Israel to be thankful for. To celebrate that event, I offer this link to Yusuf Islam's Peace Train.
It sounds even better than it did 35 years ago, and Cat Stevens is still as cool as the other side of the pillow. Enjoy, Happy Thanksgiving to all, challenge your preconceived notions, think for yourself, and believe in evidence!
ECK, FYI Cat A/K/A Yusef supported the enforcement of the fatwah calling for the summary execution of Salman Rushdie after his publication of "The Satanic Verses"
ReplyDeleteI am, ensha' allah, Nick Power
I was waiting for someone to bring that up Nick Power :-)
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that he's been a controversial figure, but if you're going to be in the public eye, you always run the risk the chance of being misunderstood.
Cat/Yusuf was trying to explain the twisted logic behind how a fatwah could be issued against Rushdie, and in engaging in that explanation, people mistakenly believed he was supporting the fatwah.
He never did support it (as I understand it), but the belief still exists that he did. In more recent years, Yusuf's more peaceful image has been renewed, and even he sang at the Nobel Peace Prize concert a few years ago.
He's a complicated person, just like there are complicated issues. Thanks for raising the topic though so it's out there for people to examine with their own minds.
Please see
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_Stevens'_comments_about_Salman_Rushdie
I am Nick Power, and there is no Wikipedia entry for me.
Is that the same Nobel Prize thingy that was just awarded to the EU. ROTFLMAO.
ReplyDeleteI am Nick Power, and wholly unencumbered with Nobel Prizes.
Yes ... that's the one ... lol ...
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record too, there also is the controversial incident when Cat/Yusuf also was banned from entering the US during a trip in 2004 (or thereabouts). The ban resulted from the fact that he has the same name as a person who is on the banned list ... not that he is banned.
However, talk-show host Michael Savage is banned from entering the UK because he is one of 16 people that the Home Office believes promote violence in the UK.
I guess they believe he is uncivil.
And for the record, the Trojan Heron doesn't believe in fatwahs against anyone for any reason, especially not fatwahs regarding free speech or First Amendment Rights ... not against Rushdie, not against Cat/Yusuf, not against Savage ... not even against people who might criticize or be uncivil to the County government either.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure that's a view shared by some people in our government though. If they could issue a fatwah against some of their critics, it sometimes seems like they might.
Yes, I wonder what Cat/Yusef's thoughts are on the Fatwah against Mike Carlson.
ReplyDeleteGood point.
Interesting question ... he probably would be for it, then against it ... then he would sing a song about peace ... lol.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't think some in our County would be so forgiving towards someone with "questionable" CAO views.
Nice to see mention of Dr. Michael Savage.
ReplyDeleteHe summed it up best with his now popular phrase (and subsequent book title).
Liberalism is a mental disorder.
After seeing the pictures of those involved with this whole CAO / FOSJ process, one thing I am thankful for today is that there is no "Women of the CAO/FSOJ Swimsuit Calendar".
ReplyDeleteVery very thankful....
I'm waiting for the Annual Kevin Ranker Ocean Hero Wet T-Shirt Contest Calendar.
ReplyDeleteShow us some skin Your Dude-Ness!