Yusuf Islam is an Ass

Here's a little reading for you...

[url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/opinion/2005/June/opinion_June53.xml§ion=opinion&col=]Yusuf Islam Comments on Live8[/url]

Yusuf Islam is an ass.

I like Cat Stevens, he's one of my favorite songwriters, but this conceited popinjay called Yusuf Islam, who criticizes others yet has never once taken responsibility for the mistakes in his own life really needs to shut his mouth and go away.

This entire column was just a jealous little tirade by a washed up artist who seems to know how to pull defeat from the jaws of victory when it comes to his career. I keep giving the guy second chances and the benefit of the doubt, but he manages to dissappoint me every time. I am ashamed I bought Indian Ocean and his box set now.

Western Pop Stars are shallow and aren't solving ALL the worlds problems all the time like you are Yusuf? Big news here, we know. We also know it would be impossible for these people to solve all the worlds problems, it's not their profession, but solving this one ain't so bad. African debt is one part of a very complex equation that keeps Africa in the rut of poverty.

Pop-Stars creating a big gang and forcing the G-8 to give up debt is good, but apparently not as good as Yusuf going to Darfur a few weeks ago on a walk-around-holding-babies photo-op tour? Please! Apparently someone has a case of injured and petty pride.

I love the bit about Joseph in there, trying to tie the parallel to ol "Yusuf" himself. Big news dude, most people don't know your story, but I do. Yusuf is Joseph in hebrew, and you chose that name becausehe was your hero. You think we westerners are going to somehow tie his works to yours? Most Westerners don't care what you do because as usual, you preach AT them Yusuf.

The same goes about musical influences, the concert itself is a tribute to black artists, the entire world plays their music! The pressure is going to come from millions of people watching. They aren't going to tune in to see unknown artists. That's not racism bubba Islam, that's smart politics.

As for the evil of the G-8, let's not forget that most of those loans were misspent by governments who asked for them. No one FORCED African nations into these loans, and they are fairly OWED to the G-8. Forgiving debt means forgiving responsibility. THAT is something Yusuf Islam is extremely familiar with.

Hamas money - He has contributed twice.
Rushdie comments - Former pop-artist calls for an author's death.
Supporting KLA - He was arrested roaming the hills of Kosovo with $60,000 in cash
Hatred for pluralism - After 9/11 he spoke in Qatar saying it was good!

Yusuf Islam models himself a latter day saint, he has a Muslim-only charity he has been given awards for. I do not argue that. But in reality, he's a flawed human, just like these "pop-stars" he spews vitriol on. Sir Bob Geldohf has done far more than Yusuf while remaining a pop-star. He didn't need to run away from his career to do charitable works. He never has had a real controversy of conscience. It's incredibly classless and souless for Yusuf to rain on Sir Bob's parade. If he is as committed as he says to getting as much help as possible to Africans, why criticize ANY help? To say these things and possibly get a few stars to cancel is unconscionable. This guy just doesn't get it.

He's entitled to his opinion, and I am entitled to think he's just a jealous little boy trying to bring down live 8 to promote his own charities.