According to Pitchfork, M.I.A. was blocked by immigration from entering America when she was coming to record her next album.

..What the hell? This has to be a knee-jerk reaction to her lyrics. Some people can't tell the difference between violent and nonviolent dissent. This kind of thing puts the whole immigration debate in a whole new light -- is this who we're trying to keep out? M.I.A. and Cat Stevens?

yes keep them out.

and you probabbly are wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by Imprezu21:
yes keep them out.

and you probabbly are wrong.

hahahaha!

The practical part of my brain thinks MIA should just try to get in across the Mexican border. Everyone else gets through there, why can't she.

The cynical part of my brain hopes this is an example of America's new Department of Musical Quality keeping crappy, overrated indie faves from darkening our doorsteps.

i aint got nothing against mia or catty stevens.
but if the rules are set, i certainly dont think musicians and/or celebrites should get preferential treatment.

otherwise let joe immigrant come and insulate my house for cheapy.dont bother him.

I don't think exceptions should be made to the rules.

I think these people being denied entry into the country is a sign of rules overapplying to people who aren't a risk, and underapplying to people who are.

quote:

Originally posted by Bobthespirit:
I don't think exceptions should be made to the rules.

I think these people being denied entry into the country is a sign of rules overapplying to people who aren't a risk, and underapplying to people who are.

how do u know who is or isnt a risk?

do u personally know cat stevens os m.i.a?

quote:

Originally posted by Bobthespirit:
I don't think exceptions should be made to the rules.

The rules should be exceptions. How many people in the US are not immigrants?

quote:

Originally posted by Filmore Mescalito Holmes:

quote:

Originally posted by Bobthespirit:
I don't think exceptions should be made to the rules.

The rules should be exceptions. How many people in the US are not immigrants?

??

It could be because her Dad is part of rebel group called the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka.

(I think he is.)

quote:

Originally posted by Bobthespirit:
I don't think exceptions should be made to the rules.

I think these people being denied entry into the country is a sign of rules overapplying to people who aren't a risk, and underapplying to people who are.

Fantastically well put Bob...
The fact that MIA was denied entry to the US is, to my mind, ridiculous, but not remotely surprising. And I am not an anti-American, before anyone starts into that shit. Where I'm at has problems too...

Um, do you guys seriously think she was denied access because someone in the state department didn't like her lyrics? They have all types of bureaucratic hoops people have to jump through, and she probably just got caught up in one. And yes, her father belonging to a terrorist organization might be a red flag.

they must have heard cat steven's lyrics too

blatently offensive...

keep MIA out...she sucks, and now she wants to be a missy elliot kling on.

quote:

..What the hell? This has to be a knee-jerk reaction to her lyrics.

Really? For some reason, I really doubt that any feds are listening to 'Arular' and raising a red flag due to her lyrics...

I'm something of a simpleton in these matters, but why would she be able to come here to perform, yet not to record? And why is there so much hate for M.I.A. on this board? What the hell? She's the only good thing in mainstream music. Period.

And yes, that's my freaking opinion. I said it very nicely.

MIA is mainstream?

I thought she was. I don't listen to the radio, or have TV, so I just kind of assumed she was. Tons of people seem to know who she is, but then I live in New York.

I give up.

quote:

I live in New York.

Can I touch you?

Cat Stevens simply has a common muslim name (Yusef Islam) which was, unsurprisingly, flagged in the airport's computers. His denial of entry had nothing to do with who he is or his actions.

MIA is another story. Apparently, her website has been investigated by the FBI. Someone has learned her background and that of her father's, listened to her lyrics and decided she's a threat. She's an outspoken person in her public life, apart from her music--so she's probably on record in the press as having said some politically dangerous things.

Weren't The Kinks denied entry to the US to perform back in the 60's or 70's? They were critical of the Queen and other British matters, but they weren't even close to being terrorists.

Well, if all the anti-terrorism barriers put in place were just to prevent terrorism, I would be surprised at MIA being denied entry. We all know that the Republicans just use terrorism as an excuse to do all sorts of shady things they want to do anyways though, so I'm not surprised.