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Laurent Garnier - Fuck USA
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:14 am
by Komplex
Here's an article I've kindly pinched from inthemix.com.au.
Laurent Garnier has cancelled his USA tour dates because of what he calls unreasonable demands by the U.S embassy. "I am very sorry to have to cancel my forthcoming U.S. tour due to what I consider to be completely unreasonable demands by the U.S. Embassy in France in order to renew my work visa." the DJ said.
He continued, "In order to obtain this new visa, the rules have once again changed since November 2004 and I would now have to not only fill out an exceedingly probing application form, but also be interviewed by a member of the Embassy staff, and provide proof of ownership of my house, details of my bank account, my mobile phone records, personal information on all my family members and more. I consider these demands to be a complete violation of my privacy and my civil liberties and I refuse to comply.
"I am horrified by these new regulations and feel really sad that this is what some call freedom and democracy. It has now become almost impossible for an artist to come and perform in the United States. And until this new procedure changes I will unfortunately refuse to comply with this nonsense. Thank you for your understanding." said Garnier.
Now my questions for you guys are:
Is Garnier being a little bitch?
or
Is the USA totally fucked up?
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:27 am
by FaX-01
Lets just say Garnier isn't being a bitch.
I wouldn't say the USA is "totally fucked up" either but I can understand the principals of his stance.
I sure as hell wouldn't surrender all that information just to enter another country for a tour / holiday /or what ever .
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:40 am
by AdamJay
wierd, i don't have any problems getting in and out of the U.S. to play.
hmmmm.
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 4:56 am
by Komplex
That's the thing. Other artists seem to be able to do it. But at the same time I totally agree with Laurent...
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 5:03 am
by AdamJay
i'm not saying the US isn't in a totally fucked up state of mind right now (especially governmentally), nor am i saying Garnier is wrong here... but thers is a possibility that Garnier got "listed" for copping attitude to customs and immigration sometime in the past. I've got a couple buddies from Italy who have to deal with shit just like this, and they willingly admit it was due to past insubordination with an immigration officer.
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 5:42 am
by Zakari Luk
to answer your question, the usa is totally fucked up.
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 6:10 am
by mike holiday
Cheers for Garnier
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 6:44 am
by Rx
he could ditch his vinyl for Live and just come on a regular visa...
i wouldn't give up all that info if asked, tho.
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 7:32 am
by drush
Rx wrote:i wouldn't give up all that info if asked, tho.
exactly
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:09 am
by supster
its all about the freedom fries
imo
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:21 am
by braj
I live in California. He-Man is our Govenor. Howdy-Doody is our President. I think that's pretty fucked up personally.
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:56 am
by madlab
supster wrote:its all about the freedom fries
imo
Here's the proof that some of the USA inhabitants are totally fucked up. Come on, grow up and forget potatoes.
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:14 am
by LiveLong
These are the modern dark ages.
AdamJay,
About gettin listed, at the last public speech the president gave at Fargo, while open to all, a few of people were formaly informed they are not alowed to participate. These are a small group of various people, 2 college students, teachers, and professors, that do not support the current policy, and dare to challenge it in public.
These are not protestors who disturb order, scream and wave flags...
The fact that they can not go where all can, because they have a different political view is one thing.
...The other is that someone is listing these people, the ones who are known to challenge the current policy.
This is not a WalMart shopping list made that morning, this was ordered by someone. It takes time and resourcess to do so. It was, and was used.
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:21 am
by AdamJay
LiveLong, i totally agree that its fucked up... just pointing out that there's perhaps a deeper reason Garnier has to leap through hoops to get here to work these days. Just speculating on an explanation for it all.
I don't agree with it at all, its BS. This gov't becomes more tyranical every day.
Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:31 am
by LiveLong
You are right about that possibility, and this is known to happen. I was writing in general, the "list" thing you mentioned reminded me of that.