I'm Being Followed by a Goon's Shadow

Associated Press, via SF Gate:

A London-to-Washington flight was diverted to Maine when it was discovered that passenger Yusuf Islam – formerly known as singer Cat Stevens – was on a government watch list and barred from entering the country.

United Airlines Flight 919 was en route to Dulles International Airport when the match was made Tuesday between a passenger and a name on the watch list, said Nico Melendez, a spokesman for the Transportation Security Administration.

The plane was met by federal agents at Maine's Bangor International Airport around 3 p.m., Melendez said.

Homeland Security Department spokesman Dennis Murphy identified the passenger as Islam. "He was interviewed and denied admission to the United States on national security grounds," Murphy said.

He said Islam would be put on the first available flight out of the country Wednesday.

Officials had no details about why the peace activist might be considered a risk to the United States. Islam had visited New York in May for a charity event and to promote a DVD of his 1976 MajiKat tour. [emphasis added]

What, were they afraid that the former Cat Stevens would undermine American resolve by singing a song that could touch the hearts and minds of the people? GMAFB.

Meanwhile, Jeralyn Merrit points out that despite more than 5,000 arrests and detentions since September 11, 2001, the Department of Justice under John Ashcroft hasn't successfully convicted a single terrorist. Even Terence Hallinan had a better conviction record than this. If Ashcroft were the DA of a big city, the law-and-order lobby would be howling for his blood.

But you can sleep soundly tonight, knowing that America is safe from second-rate has-been singer-songwriters.