When I read that Yusuf Islam, aka Cat Stevens, was refused entry into the United States, I could not help but laugh. The U.S. government has always been one of the many enemies of extremist Muslims, but after making Yusuf Islam public enemy numero uno, the current administration has managed to annoy even moderate Muslims.

Huge mistake.

Let’s talk about our latest public enemy: Islam was a singer during the ‘70s who wrote and sang about peace and a warless, non-violent world. When the Bush administration declared war on Iraq, Islam re-released his song, “Peace Train.” Let me share a few lyrics that the “suspected terrorist” sang: “Now I’ve been crying lately, thinking about the world as it is/Why must we go on hating, why can’t we live in bliss?” Yes, ladies and gentlemen, these are the words of a terrorist. How did I miss that?

Last Friday, Islam issued a press release and spoke of his horrific ordeal. He had been traveling to Nashville with his daughter and was separated from her after the airplane made an emergency landing in Maine. Now, it was probably a traumatic experience for the young girl, and when someone messes with one of our kids, we’re all over them. However, when we mess with “suspected terrorists” and their kids, the rule book is thrown out the window.

Anyone see something wrong here?

What is the Golden Rule in all the major religions? Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Mr. Born-Again-Christian George W. Bush seems to constantly forget this.

We only follow the Golden Rule when it is in our best interest.

Bush claims this war on terrorism is against the extremists and the people who endanger the lives of Americans. I beg to differ. This ridiculous war on terrorism is an attack against all those who disagree with Bush and his conservative cronies.

Islam wrote in his press release: “What makes the situation even more distressing is the fact that I have now been prevented from entering the United States – a part of God’s earth that I love and whose people have always been great friends to me.”

Are these the words of a person who would like nothing more than to see the destruction of the United States?

Could someone really equate Yusuf Islam with Osama bin Laden?

Islam founded an organization called Small Kindness, which the United Nations has approved as nongovernmental organization that “provides humanitarian relief, education and health programs to victims, especially children, of war,” according to the United Nations.

Again I ask: Is this an act of terror?

This organization is helping the innocent Iraqi children who are subject to American occupation.

Why is it that instead of actually going after the people who really hate us, such as Osama bin Laden and his followers, we go after people who actually like us?

Why does our government work so hard to make people hate us?

Something is very wrong with our current administration, and we definitely are in need of some serious fall cleaning this November.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.