TSA moonlights as an Arabic Assassin
Jul 14, 2005 | 8:24 am
#1
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TSA moonlights as an Arabic Assassin
Bassam Khalaf considers himself a rap artist. And until last week, he was also considered a federal employee. Khalaf was a screener at Bush Intercontinental Airport until someone in the federal government found out Khalaf is also known as the "Arabic Assassin" in the rap community. He was quickly fired afterwards.
But the federal government apparently didn't approve of his profanity-laced lyrics. That also included threats to blow up buildings with airplanes.
But the federal government apparently didn't approve of his profanity-laced lyrics. That also included threats to blow up buildings with airplanes.
Jul 14, 2005 | 8:31 am
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"The sound of music must be stopped." So says Hamas too. 
Who would have thought music would be considered a national security threat by free people in a free country. I remember when children were listening to junk rap like "Public Enemey" and "security-at-any-cost"-types were all concerned the children were going to grow up to be cop killers and the like. Of course those fools failed to note that nationwide crime actually fell in the years thereafter. And then there were the parents who thought "role-playing games" were a public threat and America would be flooded by devil-worshipping, human-sacrificing youth if the games were not stopped. Foolishness survives while humanity struggles.
Who would have thought music would be considered a national security threat by free people in a free country. I remember when children were listening to junk rap like "Public Enemey" and "security-at-any-cost"-types were all concerned the children were going to grow up to be cop killers and the like. Of course those fools failed to note that nationwide crime actually fell in the years thereafter. And then there were the parents who thought "role-playing games" were a public threat and America would be flooded by devil-worshipping, human-sacrificing youth if the games were not stopped. Foolishness survives while humanity struggles.
Last edited by GUWonder; Jul 14, 2005 at 8:33 am
Jul 14, 2005 | 8:36 am
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Originally Posted by GUWonder
"The sound of music must be stopped." So says Hamas too.
Who would have thought music would be considered a national security threat by free people in a free country. I remember when children were listening to junk rap like "Public Enemey" and "security-at-any-cost"-types were all concerned the children were going to grow up to be cop killers and the like. Of course those fools failed to note that nationwide crime actually fell in the years thereafter. And then there were the parents who thought "role-playing games" were a public threat and America would be flooded by devil-worshipping, human-sacrificing youth if the games were not stopped. Foolishness survives while humanity struggles.
Who would have thought music would be considered a national security threat by free people in a free country. I remember when children were listening to junk rap like "Public Enemey" and "security-at-any-cost"-types were all concerned the children were going to grow up to be cop killers and the like. Of course those fools failed to note that nationwide crime actually fell in the years thereafter. And then there were the parents who thought "role-playing games" were a public threat and America would be flooded by devil-worshipping, human-sacrificing youth if the games were not stopped. Foolishness survives while humanity struggles.
Jul 14, 2005 | 8:37 am
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I don't know his music or lyrics, but if he is indeed talking about blowing up buildings with airplanes... doesn't that strike you as a bit of conflict of interest for a TSA screener?
I'm all about civil liberties, but free speech is not absolute.
I'm all about civil liberties, but free speech is not absolute.
Jul 14, 2005 | 8:40 am
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Originally Posted by blueeyes_austin
Um, sorry. I'd just as soon not have Muslim rappers who sing songs about terrorism in sensitive security positions, thank you very much.
Jul 14, 2005 | 8:43 am
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Originally Posted by blueeyes_austin
Um, sorry. I'd just as soon not have Muslim rappers who sing songs about terrorism in sensitive security positions, thank you very much.
Would you also say: "I'd just as soon not have Muslim [intelligence analysts] who [write books] about terrorism in sensitive security positions, thank you very much"?
... and would you also say: "I'd just as soon not have [Christian intelligence analysts] who [write books] about terrorism in sensitive security positions, thank you very much"?
Last edited by GUWonder; Jul 14, 2005 at 9:00 am
Jul 14, 2005 | 8:44 am
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Originally Posted by ender83
I don't know his music or lyrics, but if he is indeed talking about blowing up buildings with airplanes... doesn't that strike you as a bit of conflict of interest for a TSA screener?
I'm all about civil liberties, but free speech is not absolute.
I'm all about civil liberties, but free speech is not absolute.
Jul 14, 2005 | 8:53 am
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Is this some (now former) TSA hack's publicity stunt to try and make some money? This is playing into it.
Last edited by GUWonder; Jul 14, 2005 at 8:56 am
Jul 14, 2005 | 8:56 am
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There's an article on this here.
You can listen to some of his music here. He's got an album coming out titled "TERROR ALERT"
"I kept my music and my job separate," he told us. "I never brought my music to the job. I was a real good screener. Even the guy who fired me said I was a real good worker."
Khalaf said the firing was unfair because he is only exercising his freedom of speech..
But the federal government apparently didn't approve of his profanity-laced lyrics. That also included threats to blow up buildings with airplanes.
...
"Like I said, I don't intend to do that," said Khalaf. "I don't support terrorism in any way."
"Then why sing about it," we asked.
"It's like entertainment," said Khalaf. "People make movies about it. I should be able to rap about it."
...
Khalaf said the firing was unfair because he is only exercising his freedom of speech..
But the federal government apparently didn't approve of his profanity-laced lyrics. That also included threats to blow up buildings with airplanes.
...
"Like I said, I don't intend to do that," said Khalaf. "I don't support terrorism in any way."
"Then why sing about it," we asked.
"It's like entertainment," said Khalaf. "People make movies about it. I should be able to rap about it."
...
Last edited by Xyzzy; Jul 14, 2005 at 8:59 am
Jul 14, 2005 | 9:12 am
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Originally Posted by the_nomad
Look here:
http://www.oneightseven.com/main.php?page=lyrics
I won't post the lyrics themselves.... WAY too much to edit.
Admittedly, I didn't read them all so I don't know if that particular song is contained therein.
http://www.oneightseven.com/main.php?page=lyrics
I won't post the lyrics themselves.... WAY too much to edit.
Admittedly, I didn't read them all so I don't know if that particular song is contained therein.
I am curious if he has declared himself a muslim or christian. Most Bassam's I have come across in the US are Christian.
Jul 14, 2005 | 9:23 am
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Originally Posted by GUWonder
I am curious if he has declared himself a muslim or christian. Most Bassam's I have come across in the US are Christian.