Joe Satriani: As many have pointed out here, you have obviously put a lot of research and thought in to this before you acted, and I applaud that. I think it is fair to say that we are just not going to see eye to eye on this one. I will admit that you are a very brave man to put your reputation and possibly career on the line for something you believe so strongly in--that's big.
I think something we can all agree on, whether or not you like the way Arizona has acted in this situation, hopefully the Federal Government will do its part to fix these problems the right way and we can put all these disagreements behind us very soon. We are all just going to have to accept that nothing that can be done is going to make everybody happy.

Another thing we should all agree on is that nothing we do or have done to stand up for each other's rights comes close to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving this great country. No matter how many problems we as a Nation may have, there is nothing more honorable than a man or woman who has fought and died for their country. I have lost a few friends in Iraq and Afghanistan, and think about them all the time. It is a shame we only have a couple days a year for Americans to remember these men and women, many of whom fought for America in order to gain citizenship, some of them killed before they ever experienced it.

I guess my point is, whether you are for or against the war, immigration... whatever, as of right now 6,506 men and women from around the world have died in Iraq and Afghanistan and I ask that we set our differences aside on Monday and remember that each one of them was a son, daughter, sister, brother, father, mother, etc.. and somebody's world is really hurting without each and every one of them here.

Sorry for the long rant.. I really do hope this is all over with very soon, because as I've said earlier, I would love nothing more than to see Joe a time or two this winter. I really should meet the man now since every time we exchange messages on here it's always Joe responding to me complaining about something Joe or CF related, and that's really not who I am!! I promise I have many more good things to say about you Joe, you just always pick out the messages I never think you'll see!!

Not my place to comment on a US political problem, I don't live there and can't know all the facts. What I do read in all the different posts is that you think the Federal govt has failed to solve this problem of many illegal immigrants and the state has, in desperation, taken a drastic step with adverse possible consequences for the legal residents in that it opens up the possibility of their civil rights being diminished. Since we don't have a huge land border like the US I can only imagine how hard it is to stop people getting in illegally, rather than the right way like elpp. So it sounds like the Federal govt needs the people to tell it to form a solution that works. A couple of times a year we get screaming press about people trying to get to Australia in crappy leaky boats from the north, having sometimes paid people-smugglers and bringing their children on these decrepit vessels with no lifesaving gear, and all crowded beyond belief. They often crash into Ashmore Reef. Might be 100 or so each time and it is a very sensitive issue here. So I can see how if that's magnified by a factor of 10000 your situation needs a big solution.

Joe, glad to hear you're almost in the studio, can't wait for this one.

Hi Everyone!

Hope you all are doing well.

Joe, great to see your posts. I respect your opinions and I agree with you on what you are saying.

TheHawkGuy: Hey Danny. Kudos on chatting with Joe and the info on his upcoming projects.

DTS: Austin, if you're going to the funeral/visitation for Ronnie, let us know how it went.

I'm running in a 12K Race tomorrow and it's a points race for my track club. Hope I do well. Next weekend, I'll be heading to South Bend for the Sunburst Races & I'm doing the Marathon. It's also a qualifier for Boston so I hope I'm able to get in.

I listened to PSATMOR four times yesterday and Joe, it was an excellent album. I enjoyed all the songs. Keep up the excellent work. Next up for me, Live In Paris.

TTYL, I'm doing some volunteer work for the 12K race tomorrow, and then getting carb-loaded for tomorrow morning's race. Wish me luck everyone. I'll let you all know how the race went down.

Peace Lily: Here's my peace for you & everyone: \m/

Deuces y'all!

Michelle - I usually take your stance on these kind of things. Democrats, Republicans... who cares?? They are both crooks, and the Country seems to be f*&c#d no matter who is running it. That's why I tend to remove myself from politics as far as I can. I guess this just kind of hit me in an uncomfortable place, that's the only reason I brought it up.

I wonder if Guam has tipped over yet?

Really hard to choose sides here. This country has changed. Weve given the right to all to come to this country for a better life...and thats what has made us what we are. But over the years people only come here to take advantage of what our fathers have created here. I object to illegal aliens entering this country illegally when so many others have legally..and are proud of it. I dont know the fine details of this bill and clearly, Joe has. I too agree the federal govmt needs to step in and resolve this. The people of Arizona have a right to protect themselves and i feel this bill is there last resort after trying other ways..though not perfect...its getting the attention thats neccessary to resolve it, thanks to many including Joe..WTG!

Ian, I just want to take a moment to say thanks for putting your life on the line and on hold to protect me and mine. I appreciate every single Vet and those currently enlisted, and all who have passed. I shudder to think where we'd be without all of you who have given everything.

Now then....I know Cappy, but I guess I figger u just gotta keep trying and one day something will catch Joe's eye when he has a free moment and he'll respond. I hear ya :) I guess back when this website was "birthed" (I wasn't around here then but some were and still are) Joe posted much more frequently than now. I attribute that to him becoming busier and busier over time, always a new project, always more demands on his time, things constantly in development. All of us fans have fueled this though by our desire for more Joe...more music, more tours, more signature products, more interviews, pics, videos.....GAH!!! So the more we love him and want from him, the less time he has to spend with us here. It's a heckova circle, ain't it!! I'd bet a quarter that Joe rarely gets a vacation these days.

Not that anyone should care one bit but....

I don't pretend to understand all the finer points of any political issue. This is going to sound extremely naive and simplistic, but that's part of being me. We're all human beings, all part of this planet and we must share and get along and care about what happens to our neighbors, whether they be right next door or across the world. I am a social worker so believe me, I see plenty of good....and way too much bad between people. The bad is gut-wrenching and leaves me hating people for a time. But somehow I seem to always come back to that naivete' where I believe in the fundamental good in people, and I'm ready to give chances again and continue to believe. I keep thinking if only all humans would just be kind, work hard to take care of themselves and their family, find ways to give to those less fortunate and just wish for happiness for others, what a world it would be. But instead too many people get caught up in greed and wanting more than they have. That causes nuthin but trouble and I feel is at the heart of most problems.

If only we could all find a way to make the place that we live, that we occupy, our little space in the world, a good place. If everyone was concentrating on that....I wonder.

And so, since the world is not Utopian, we have constant issues and problems. People have to stand for what they feel is right. You will find your share of supporters, as well as nay-sayers. Someone will ALWAYS take exception to your beliefs, it's impossible to get 100% support on your side of any issue. It doesn't matter, follow your heart and stick up for your beliefs....and give respect to those who don't share your views. Something I know I need to keep working on myself.

OK, I absolutely LOVE the new Dave Weiner album...I think it's a definite contender for my album of the year. Everyone needs to go buy it right now.

What does everyone else think about it? michelle, has your copy come in the mail yet?

Joe is sneaky like that! ;-)

Austin, I pre-ordered TWO of Dave's new album and neither has come yet....I'm chompin at the bit...

TurboIan, I think it's cool to hear everyone's thoughts on this issue. Understandably people are very upset by the way illegals are coming in. The ones that F it up are the "bad guys" and the ones who come to live off of our system the whole while waving the flag of their country (not just Mexicans) and demanding rights - the whole time ignoring ours. The ones I feels sorry for are the ones willing to work their fingers to the bone to make a better life for their families in a free country where they don't have to be in fear for their lives from drug cartel & armies raping and slaughtering people just because they're there. These people will be jailed indefinitely or possibly killed upon return to their country, and if I was in their shoes, I might do the same thing. I mean, how many dudes were running to Canada when the draft hit back in the day? You run to save your life. musical brain takeover

Anyways, like I said, I see both sides of the coin.

Austin, I still haven't gotten my Weiner cd yet. Hopefully tomorrow.

castle, yer story about the INS confirms my thinking on it. It's crap.

skippy, yer pretty much spot on.

T-Bones, that's why we love you so :-) And now you said "chompin' at the bit" musical brain takeover.

TurboIan, cheers!

For everyone!

My gawd I feel like a proud parent....just LOOKIT U GO WITH ALL YER LINKS!!

And not a mistake in de bunch, LOL!

Hey T, here's a love song just for you !

:-)

OWW OWW!

Stick with me kid, I'll show ya the dark side...unlike our girlfriend Al & his Enya fetish. lmao!!

Ohhhhhhh HELL TO THE YEAH, LOL!!!

U know I LOVE that song!!! It's best played reeeaheeeally loud, lol!!!

A boat & a bus to Bangkok - prolly holdin' hands & skippin' all the way. lol! He disappointingly forgot his Irish tra-la tra-la flag at home too. That made for some good pics on the "Rome '06 Tour". lmao! I do so miss the little feck.

Way to go Axe! Blow them away in the next round of competition.

Al, hope you're enjoying your vacation.

Time to get some rest for tomorrow. 12K race in the morning, and then a banquet function in the evening. It's going to be one big, busy, hustling & bustling week for me.

Grant... yes it was very nice to hear joe newest update project he got coming up next week

I must say,

Skippy, you're a billion miles away from here, yet you got to the root of the problem spot on. Have a cold one on me. CHEERS!!!

Lots of interesting things to read on here guys.... this place is always a fascinating read one way or another, and informative

Studio time & rehearsal sounds good, and I'm excited for that

BTW Joe - are those the longest posts you've ever made? Enjoyed those video snippets the other day. How many songs do you have for the album to narrow down to the actual track list or is that already done?

turbo236 - It's really the start of a slippery slope...you can insist the law has good intentions and people won't abuse power, but if they do abuse power, well, the law is already in place and it'll be hard to bring things back to the way they were. I personally don't have a problem with "reasonable suspicion"...that's a concept that's been around in law for a while.

I saw a good example shortly after the law was passed, I think it was in the New York Times. If you get pulled over on the freeway for having a busted headlight, a cop will give you a ticket but can't (or, shouldn't) ask you about your immigration status. On the other hand, let's say a cop pulls over a van for speeding on a freeway a few miles north of the border. The van is crowded with passengers, the driver doesn't have a license, and no one else in the vehicle has an ID. In that case it might be reasonable to suspect the people are in the US illegally, and ask about their status.

I have mixed feelings on the law, but I think I'm for it more than I'm against it. And if a lot of law enforcement officials start abusing their power (like in the first example I gave), I'll be one of the first people to stand up and say that's not right. I don't think I'd be alone in doing so, and I have a feeling a lot of people who are against the law don't realize that.

With the example Joe posted earlier, well, freedom has limits. If a neighbor calls in a noise complaint, yes, that could lead to someone being jailed if they can't prove they're in the country legally. But if you're in the US legally it doesn't give you the freedom to throw loud parties, either...if the person in the example is a citizen, he'd be hit with a fine for being loud. I'm not saying being deported is equal to paying $150 for a noise violation, but in both examples the person is doing something he shouldn't be doing.

In the end, I think those opposed to the law would be better heard if they were calling for specific changes/clarifications instead of saying the entire law is bad news. I don't think a boycott (like Sound Strike, or what the city of LA has done) will change the law, but I think a group of people saying "Hey, here are some things a lot of people are concerned about..." and an organized petition might get something done.

Sorry for the long post, but I haven't commented on this in a while.

HI Joe, and all: I just wanted to say thank you for your input on the 'new' happenings in AZ. As a former resident, as well as someone who worked in Mexico, I am not happy by the way the governor as well as some of the people are approaching this issue. It is very sad for me, as a matter of fact, and everyone should take a moment to understand what this truly means, and how it affects everyone. No 'knee-jerk' reaction is going to be the best solution to any problem, and it certainly is of the poorest solutions in this case.

All I can offer is that if any one of you (U.S. citizens) have ever worked and or lived in Mexico, or any other country for that matter, with the awesome human beings that I worked with, you'd surely have a better understanding of life. We are all just human beings trying to get on as best as we can, and we definitely do not need more government oppression. We need to focus on the larger picture, folks. Please consider this as you are bombarded with all the fodder that the media/govt. has to offer. Think about who's trying to control and manipulate you...

We are not that different from one another... We are ALL important, in the grand scheme of life...

Thanks.

Austin - I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you for the post. Your examples illustrate pretty much what I was trying to get across with my snippets from the actual law. Hopefully those who choose to abuse their power while enforcing the law do not do so with this one if for no other reason than it's such a hot topic.

I don't see where the sound strike or boycotts are going to accomplish anything, but I've already covered that.
I was wondering earlier, too, with this sound strike... is Joe Satriani just not going to play anywhere in Arizona or has he totally boycotted the state and removed all of his music from all stores there?

I thought it was kinda funny earlier that the CF DVD was filmed in Phoenix and released on May 4th, when SB 1070 was signed (I believe) in late April....