Mos Def and crew arrested for singing about gov's screwup of Katrina response

[imported_Aelius]

On the surface it may seem like a reasonable response. Authorities concerned over security, or alleged lack thereof, at an unscheduled outside concert. Concerned for the welfare of citizens and the performers they were taken into custody. I'm sure many consider this reasonable.

So why this now? Why not arrest U2 for performing on a roof or any other number of performers whom have given free concerts (if you can call one song a concert), even performing at a bar and having people line the streets outside just to listen.

You can see my response coming long before I type it I'm sure. It's the content. This sort of selective practice of law, this fascist crap makes me want to puke.

It reminds me of when the Green Party and Libertarian party leaders were both arrested while trying to serve a court order at the last Presidential election debate.

America and many Western nations are turning into what they, supposedly, try to gut out every day.

How low can a nation sink? Not far enough apparently. The US is setting a new low almost every week. Personally I thought it couldn't go lower when the President of the United States was allowed to hold his office after verbally defacing the very Constitution he swore to uphold. Personally I think it's treason.

I will also not swallow that a few local cops or officials took this uppon themselves to do. Nobody puts their career on the line unless they have an ace up their sleeve. Besides, Americans will forget it ever happend by Monday morning. Assuming they pay any attention to what happens in their own country at all. Survey says they are as dumb as a doorknob on this subject.

It's just a personal observation, but I think Canadians are the same way and likely so are other Western nations. Virtually everyone I know doesn't want to hear about any of this stuff because they don't have time, don't care, or it disturbs their fragile sensabilities and would rather get drunk fishing or think happy happy thoughts doing something else.

I truly wonder how many realize how close we are to a fully controlled fascist police state.

Police arrest rapper after street show outside MTV awards

Rapper Mos Def was arrested Thursday night after performing an impromptu show outside Radio City Music Hall in New York City, where the MTV Video Awards were taking place.

CBC Arts
According to MTV News, the hip-hop icon and actor showed up in a flatbed truck at 10 p.m. and performed a version of the song Dollar Day in New Orleans (Katrina Klap), his scathing indictment of the U.S. government's response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

Authorities asked Mos Def and his crew to shut down the operation due to safety concerns. When they did not comply police arrested them and charged the rapper with disorderly conduct.

He was released Friday morning.

Mos Def, born Dante Terrell Smith, originally released the song online as his criticism of U.S. President George W. Bush's government. His publicist told MTV news he did not break any laws.

"His only goal was to heighten the awareness of a serious situation that still exists in our country," said Carleen Donovan. "He does not want people to forget that although it's one year later, the people and cities hit by the hurricane still need the help of the American people."

Mos Def has appeared in such films as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 16 Blocks and Bamboozled, but first made his mark as both a solo artist and alongside fellow socially-conscious rapper Talib Kweli in the duo Black Star. The two also performed together on the film Dave Chappelle's Block Party.

EDIT: source link won't work

However I found the story elsewhere: here

 

[Rainsford]

While it's a favorite line of the pro-war crowd, the truth is that freedom really isn't free...it takes a lot of work to maintain, and the fact is, this country is filled with lazy idiots. That's why freedom tends to go in cycles, it takes a lot to knock Joe Sixpack out of his stupor and get him angry enough to DO something. People put up with a lot of crap from the federal government until Nixon took it a few steps too far, and now we're back to that point again, clearly having forgot the lessons of the past. Not that arresting Mos Def means Hitler and the Gestapo are right around the corner, but it all starts somewhere.

 

[BoberFett]

Governments have no power over law abiding citizens. Make the average citizen a criminal, and they'll be at your mercy. Disorderly conduct and all the other "nuisance" laws including those against victimless crimes (drugs, prostitution etc.) let the government harass anyone they want and the citizen has little recourse.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Or then again... he was blocking traffic in a flat bed truck.

Either way, I don't think Bush had anything to do with his arrest.

 

[imported_Aelius]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Or then again... he was blocking traffic in a flat bed truck.

Either way, I don't think Bush had anything to do with his arrest.

Police cited "security concerns" when asking them to stop. Not a traffic violation. Then they pooked around for a reason to validate the arrests.

Police aren't supposed to be the goon squad. They are supposed to be the good guys.

I don't think anyone would have complained had they acted reasonably and didn't try to railroad the reason for the arrests. At least they didn't pepper spray the whole crowed or water board Mos Def.

At best this was a poor exercise in police goon squad tactics, which highlights their bias (training (brainwashing)).

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Aelius

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Or then again... he was blocking traffic in a flat bed truck.

Either way, I don't think Bush had anything to do with his arrest.

Police cited "security concerns" when asking them to stop. Not a traffic violation. Then they pooked around for a reason to validate the arrests.

Police aren't supposed to be the goon squad. They are supposed to be the good guys.

I don't think anyone would have complained had they acted reasonably and didn't try to railroad the reason for the arrests. At least they didn't pepper spray the whole crowed or water board Mos Def.

At best this was a poor exercise in police goon squad tactics, which highlights their bias (training (brainwashing)).

Wow... overreact much?

 

[Enig101]

The policemen's concern seems reasonable at first glance:

"An NYPD spokesperson said officers asked Mos Def and members of his entourage to shut down their operation due to crowd conditions and the overall safety of everyone involved."

However, when police were told there was a permit, they let him continue. Obviously public safety was not an issue to them until after he began his performance:

"The source said additional officers then approached the rapper demanding the operation be shut down immediately. The order wasn't communicated to Mos Def immediately, so the rapper didn't end his performance right away, the source said."

It is fishy for certain. I am interested to see the video tape that was taken.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Enig101
The policemen's concern seems reasonable at first glance:

"An NYPD spokesperson said officers asked Mos Def and members of his entourage to shut down their operation due to crowd conditions and the overall safety of everyone involved."

However, when police were told there was a permit, they let him continue. Obviously public safety was not an issue to them until after he began his performance:

"The source said additional officers then approached the rapper demanding the operation be shut down immediately. The order wasn't communicated to Mos Def immediately, so the rapper didn't end his performance right away, the source said."

It is fishy for certain. I am interested to see the video tape that was taken.

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Or then again... he was blocking traffic in a flat bed truck.

Either way, I don't think Bush had anything to do with his arrest.

Chief Moron here.

I may be the head Moron but I can certainly see the tone starts at the top.

Silence the dissent so the brainwashing is unfettered.

 

[shadow9d9]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: Aelius

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Or then again... he was blocking traffic in a flat bed truck.

Either way, I don't think Bush had anything to do with his arrest.

Police cited "security concerns" when asking them to stop. Not a traffic violation. Then they pooked around for a reason to validate the arrests.

Police aren't supposed to be the goon squad. They are supposed to be the good guys.

I don't think anyone would have complained had they acted reasonably and didn't try to railroad the reason for the arrests. At least they didn't pepper spray the whole crowed or water board Mos Def.

At best this was a poor exercise in police goon squad tactics, which highlights their bias (training (brainwashing)).

Wow... overreact much?

Underreact much? Read history, don't be a follower.

 

[Tom]

In the MTV story it says they didn't actually have a permit, but they told the police they did.

Anyone know what is correct ?

If they didn't have a permit, it seems pretty clear cut the police could shut them down justifiably.

I doubt the fact the song was about Katrina had anything to do with it. If he performs like most rappers I doubt anyone knew wtf he was saying. 😉

 

[BoomerD]

While I believe in free speech, and singing about Katrina and the government's lack of response should not be against the law, I despie rap, so I believe that all rappers should be arrested...:roll: The "gangsta rap" should be considered to be "terrorist activity" and banned...:roll:


OK, that's probably going too far...almost makes me sound like a Repugly...
But rap DOES suck...

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: Rainsford
While it's a favorite line of the pro-war crowd, the truth is that freedom really isn't free...it takes a lot of work to maintain, and the fact is, this country is filled with lazy idiots. That's why freedom tends to go in cycles, it takes a lot to knock Joe Sixpack out of his stupor and get him angry enough to DO something. People put up with a lot of crap from the federal government until Nixon took it a few steps too far, and now we're back to that point again, clearly having forgot the lessons of the past. Not that arresting Mos Def means Hitler and the Gestapo are right around the corner, but it all starts somewhere.

Who are you to talk about freedom? To you freedom is just being allowed to say what you want. You apparently have no qualms with the government confiscating huge portions of people's income.

 

[alchemize]

"I truly wonder how many realize how close we are to a fully controlled fascist police state."
Aelius: I thought you were canadian?

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
While I believe in free speech, and singing about Katrina and the government's lack of response should not be against the law, I despie rap, so I believe that all rappers should be arrested...:roll: The "gangsta rap" should be considered to be "terrorist activity" and banned...:roll:


OK, that's probably going too far...almost makes me sound like a Repugly...
But rap DOES suck...

And we are oh so glad you told us.

 

[miketheidiot]

Originally posted by: Aelius
On the surface it may seem like a reasonable response. Authorities concerned over security, or alleged lack thereof, at an unscheduled outside concert. Concerned for the welfare of citizens and the performers they were taken into custody. I'm sure many consider this reasonable.

It doesn't seem like a reasonable response on anylevel.

 

[imported_Aelius]

Originally posted by: alchemize
"I truly wonder how many realize how close we are to a fully controlled fascist police state."
Aelius: I thought you were canadian?

I am.

Before I became a Canadian I grew up in Hungary. 11 years under Communism with every international call intercepted and mail opened. Sound familiar? It should.

I think I have a unique perspective on this subject. I saw the pot reaching boiling point years before 9/11.

Canada, the UK, Australia etc all followed the US's lead after 9/11. ALL of them passed laws against their own Constitutions and Bill of Rights.

The UK is a testbed for the confiscation of firearms from the general public. Australia is one step behind. Canada is moving that way too.

Doing everything all at once was too much. There was too much resistance from the general public and they had to back off. It's the same old boiled frog trick. Turn the heat up too quick and the frog will jump from the pot. Turn up the heat gradually and allow the frog to get used to the heat and eventually it's too late.

Some think the pot won't each boiling point for decades, if ever. Personally I think it boiled a long time ago. The frogs just never noticed.

Dinner is served.

 

[alchemize]

So then what's this "we" crap? Or were you just addressing the canandians on this US message board?

 

[imported_Aelius]

Originally posted by: alchemize
So then what's this "we" crap? Or were you just addressing the canandians on this US message board?

Do you have to be American to cherrish civil liberties?

I cherrish it enough that I'm freely willing to eat a bullet for it if neccessary.

If you meant something else I'm not sure what you meant. Clarify please?

 

[alchemize]

Originally posted by: Aelius

Originally posted by: alchemize
So then what's this "we" crap? Or were you just addressing the canandians on this US message board?

Do you have to be American to cherrish civil liberties?

I cherrish it enough that I'm freely willing to eat a bullet for it if neccessary.

If you meant something else I'm not sure what you meant. Clarify please?

Is "a fully controlled fascist police state" the US? Do you live in the US? I'm confused why you would say "we" when as far as I know you are not part of "we".

I'm pretty sure this is just typical elitist trolling on your part by trotting this incident out as an example of "fascism"...and calling anyone who disagrees with you stupid.

(and by the way, U2 was stopped by the police for performing on the roof for that video almost 20 years ago.)

 

[yllus]

Sounds like the work of a few local cops who made a politically unwise decision.

I somehow doubt they were plugged into the Evil Bush Network and given assurances that song must be stopped at all costs - but hey, this is P&N. I'm sure President Bush himself was one of the cops on the scene, disguised under riot gear.

 

[imported_Aelius]

Originally posted by: alchemize

Originally posted by: Aelius

Originally posted by: alchemize
So then what's this "we" crap? Or were you just addressing the canandians on this US message board?

Do you have to be American to cherrish civil liberties?

I cherrish it enough that I'm freely willing to eat a bullet for it if neccessary.

If you meant something else I'm not sure what you meant. Clarify please?

Is "a fully controlled fascist police state" the US? Do you live in the US? I'm confused why you would say "we" when as far as I know you are not part of "we".

I'm pretty sure this is just typical elitist trolling on your part by trotting this incident out as an example of "fascism"...and calling anyone who disagrees with you stupid.

(and by the way, U2 was stopped by the police for performing on the roof for that video almost 20 years ago.)

Funny I don't remember U2 being stopped every time. They apparently have done it several times or have I been missinformed? If I recall it was Metallica that also performed at a bar and nobody touched them. Either that or someone has been feeding me a pure line of BS since I asked someone more familiar with this subject as to what they knew of this.

As to the "we" part; the last time I checked the US is a Western Democracy. At least on paper. So are the nations I mentioned earlier that also share that form of government and similar ideology concerning civil rights and protecting the state at any cost. Well the governments maybe, but I don't think the population does to a large degree. Not fully anyway, not yet. We are all in the same fix.

Hence "we". I hope this is crystal clear now?

As to your accusations of elitism. If the conduct of the other side of the coin that is our ideology is a measure of elitism then I shall take it as a compliment.

As for fascism; I do not pick and choose what title is attached to the actions of an individual or group. What they do is already defined in the dictionary. They have no need of me doing it for them. I'm simply pointing out what's already there to see in plain sight.

I also don't think you are stupid, but you refuse to see things my way. That's your right. Perhaps if you would be willing to frame it instead of attacking me for my view constantly you may actually build up some respect. Right now you have none and I will not be drawn into a debate about this until you do.

You want to debate? Explain why you think this isn't a calling card of fascism and why the US, and other Western nations aren't a fascist state.

 

[imported_Aelius]

Originally posted by: yllus
Sounds like the work of a few local cops who made a politically unwise decision.

I somehow doubt they were plugged into the Evil Bush Network and given assurances that song must be stopped at all costs - but hey, this is P&N. I'm sure President Bush himself was one of the cops on the scene, disguised under riot gear.

At least you have come up with a reason to believe what you believe. That's a start.

I don't neccessarily think they were told anything by anyone to do this act. There is no evidence to suggest this. I find it disgusting that you people blow it up into something stupid, on purpose, so it paints myself and others as something we are not.

Either debate reasonably or don't expect a debate. That's all.

 

[yllus]

Then start by bringing up something intelligent to debate, which usually doesn't include hinting at the sinister forces of fascism stopping the truthmonger Mos Def from performing in a street concert.

 

[alchemize]

Originally posted by: yllus
Then start by bringing up something intelligent to debate, which usually doesn't include hinting at the sinister forces of fascism stopping the truthmonger Mos Def from performing in a street concert.

Or trotting out debunked yellow journalism stories as examples...

"The US is setting a new low almost every week. Personally I thought it couldn't go lower when the President of the United States was allowed to hold his office after verbally defacing the very Constitution he swore to uphold. Personally I think it's treason."

 

[kylebisme]

For those interested, a copy of the song.