Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: open mike
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 07:29 PM

an absolute irony!!

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: M.Ted
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 07:24 PM

There is a certain irony to the fact that Ferrer and the Buena Vista Social Club represent the music of pre-Castro Cuba, and were essentially forgotten there after the Revolution--

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: open mike
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 05:00 PM

There was recenlty another musician, flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia,
whose tour was cancelled or postponed due to visa issues from his bass
player, who is a Cuban National. They were from Spain.
The real terrorism seems to be the abuse of power and the arrogance of
the visa restrictions. The real loss is the opportunity forinternational
relations and cultural exchange. Terrorism indeed!
I attended a Nordic music fest where the scandinavians who were to
perform were made to jump thru hoops about visas, too. Senator
Paul Wellstone waas an immense help in negotiations. It was one
of the last actions prior to his fateful plane crash.
Perhaps a legistlator coudl intervene on behalf of the Cubans?
the links below point to 2 cuban music sources.

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: Pied Piper
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 10:49 AM

So the US government pisses on its chips again.
Why doesn't this surprise me?

PP

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 10:07 AM

It's not just being reactionary - it's being stupid with it.

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: freda underhill
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 08:08 AM

our own government is just as reactionary.

the problem is, if a government (or preacher, or person) focuses too much on some perceived evil, they end up becoming like that themselves..

as you think, so you become...

when can we move into a world where positive qualities are strengthened,
rather than living in one where everyone is obsessed about their enemy.. and works hard to keep people enemies...

uuggghh

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 08:00 AM

A few years ago the US refuses to allow Canadian writer Farley Mowat into the country. How do all these cuban baseball players get in, by the way ?

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 07:45 AM

Fair do's - the Taliban in Afghanistan were (and are) about as right wing as you can get. They just weren't the right variety of fundamentalist to be in Bush's good books. And the evidence that they actually had anything whatsoever to do with September 11th or any real control over Bin Laden is pretty shaky.

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 02:06 AM

Maybe it would take the sinking of a US passenger ship or some other comparable atrocity before they'd maltreat the citizens of a RIGHT-wing country? Who's going to compose the lyrics for this one?!?

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: Metchosin
Date: 10 Feb 04 - 01:27 AM

Possibly honour a group of wonderful old Cuban musicians, unthinkable! The current US administration is like a bunch of syphlitic old Cardinals during the Spanish Inquisition and would want the perpetrator to name other goats of similar inclination. They would make McCarthy and Nixon proud. I guess if Nixon's admonition was "I am not a crook!", Bush's will be "I am not a dunce!"

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 10:59 PM

Terrorism is not the only reason visas are being delayed or refused from many areas now. Immigration also is under orders to be strict because of the illegal immigrant problem.
Caribbean websites warned illegals in the US from their islands not to try to enter Canada for the Caribfest in Toronto. Not only would they just be turned back, but Canadian Immigration has turned some over to US Immigration and they face deportation.

The US has an unknown number of illegals from many countries, mostly Latin American and Caribbean (conservatively one million but probably double that) and some TV commentators are fanning opposition nightly (Robb report on CNN for one). Bush has suggested some sort of amnesty and job cards for those from Mexico, but this has stirred up more complaints (which may be what he intended).

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: mack/misophist
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 09:47 PM

Vote Early. Vote Often. Just like the bush family does.

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 09:30 PM

It's not just Ibrahim they've banned, of course, but a whole bunch of Cuban musicians. ("Ibrahim Ferrer; Manuel Galván; Barbarito Torres; Guillermo Rubalcaba; Moíses Hernández, conductor of the National Concert Band; the Ignacio Piñeiro Septeto Nacional")

Here's a piece in the Miami Herald pouring scorn on the ban - "What is lost by denying visas to these artists? The usual. Hearts and minds. Both the U.S. government and the Miami exile community -- reviled by Castro as "the Mafia" -- look like yahoos. Once more."

And here is Granma, from Havana - Apartheid continues:

Perhaps they might get to hear over there what the venerated Rubalcaba commented with fine irony: "I am concerned at being labeled a terrorist, as the only terror I have is of is a piano sounding bad."

I see the US Government has now said it's not that they really think that Ibrahim and the others are terrorists, but they are worried that some of the money might get back to the Cuban Government.

They somehow never seem to have those kind of worries when it comes to putting money in the direction of the Chinese Government.

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: ranger1
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 08:26 PM

There have been several cases of either booting musicians out of the country for visa problems or just plain not letting them in recently, it seems. A few months back the Center for Cultural Exchange in Portland, Maine had to cancel a concert due to the group not being allowed into the US for "security" reasons. I can't remember the name or nationality of the group (I think they might have been Cuban), I just remember being disgusted and incredulous. The only danger I can see is that the American people might figure out that "they" are just like us, just normal folks. Oh, horrors! Here comes the end of "Western Civilization" as we know it! Quick, get out the plastic sheeting and Duck tape!

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: artbrooks
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 08:17 PM

US citizens: are you registered to vote? Do you plan to vote to get rid of this idiot in November? That is the only legal way to stop foolishness like this.

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 08:14 PM

Just recently the US kicked out Molly Meldrum and sent him back to Australia with alleged problems with a visa. He was on his to the USA to promote some big name US artists/earners for the record companies...

Robin

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: Cuilionn
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 07:48 PM

Och, they've been daein this lang syne; tis naethin new. Back in 1988, Ah attendit an international gaitherin o high-school-aged youth, put on by the United Methodist Church. The gaitherin wis held near Chicago, an the hale idea wis jist tae get aa these young folk frae aa ower the wairld in ane plaice, tae meet ilka ither, mak friends, discuss issues an seek peace, justice, & understandin.

Weel, wuidnae ye jist ken it-- the U.S. Immigration hie-hied-yins decidit that three o the delegates were tae "dangerous" tae let intae the U.S.-- A student frae El Salvador, a student frae Cuba, an ane ither, frae China or some ither "communist" kintra. Och, sure, an werenae these young folk "threats tae national security," infiltratin the kintra tae attend a kirk conference?!?

The mair things change, the mair they stay the same...

--Cuilionn

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: Amergin
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 07:04 PM

well considering the us has been stepping up the sanctions against Cuba...I am not surprised...Castro himself says he is not afriad to go to war with the US...

Subject: RE: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: Deckman
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 06:48 PM

I am very thankfull that you posted this event. As an American, I am ashamed of this action. If the truth be known, this is NOT the first time in last few months that I have felt ashamed of my country's actions.

Would that I could make such beautiful music when I am that age. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson (by the way, if you want to come visit me, I am the third house from the corner ... yellow).

Subject: Cuban musical 'terrorists' banned
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Feb 04 - 04:49 PM

Just saw this item of news - US blocks Cuban Grammy nominees

US authorities have refused to let five Cuban Grammy Awards nominees travel to Sunday's ceremony in Los Angeles. Musicians up for best tropical Latin album award - including veteran star Ibrahim Ferrer of the Buena Vista Social Club - have not got visas.

Ferrer, 77, told press in the capital Havana: "I am not a terrorist. I couldn't be one. I am a musician."

A US diplomat in Havana said the US administration could suspend the entry of people deemed to be "detrimental to the interest of the United States".

This site should have some RealAudio streaming sound files of Ibraham Ferrer doing his terrorist stuff on record. They don't seem to work though - maybe the vigilant US thought police have moved in this too...