Fatape - Thanks for the reply.. I didn't intend to drag everyone in to this when I brought it up. I guess above all I'm just bummed to see Joe getting professionally involved in politics, if that makes any sense? In the few years I've known of him, it seems like he's always used his 'power' to help people in need: bring in money for those who couldn't pay medical bills, etc.. I've always appreciated his neutral stance and enjoyed the fact that his career was his music.

I'll be very clear and say that I still respect Joe as much as I ever have, and I don't think any less of him as a person. It's not like he's committed murder or anything, I just don't agree with the sound strike thing. I sincerely hope that we can put this all behind us very soon, and I really hope that I haven't offended anybody with my rambling.

P.S. - Cappy Steve - Have another drink.... Haha!! I laughed for about 15 minutes when I read that post. Exactly what I needed to be able to get some sleep tonight, and not a minute too soon, it's nearly 5 A.M. ugh..

petty and low is what the comments are. not offended by you either. values and morals are personal to every1. but it is not correct to lose respect over differences of opinon. i can certainly respect the opinons and the very right to say them but when your ideology and my ideology differ, i don't think less of you. and you know you are quite right i shouldn't have passed judgement for petty and low comments no matter how inappropeiate the may have been.

I think I may have overstocked the bar!!!Anyone wanna help me out here??? Cappy??? McKenna??? Michelle???SkippyGirl??? Anyone????

if you are an illegal .. you are not really an american ..and just taxing the system .. and making it harder for those that should have rights to have rights .

the right answer to this is .. the illegals are in facts thieves stealing the freedom of those that are actually the ones deserving of it .. i have no problem with an actual legal immigrants .. but also have no problem with kicking illegals out as they do not belong and have not tried to fit in . cause if they did .. they would have green cards or visa's to actualy work ..

I don't think Joe is supporting the illegals, more so the folk who are targeted as possible illegals due to racial profiling.

~Finding common ground among faiths can help us bridge needless divides at a time when unified action is more crucial than ever.~ DalaiLama

Joe,

happy friday to all! getting ready for the big weekend trip to atlantic city thanks to Sammy Hagar's Beach Bar and Bally's Casino and Hotel!! if anyone here lives in NJ and is going to Sammy's this weekend let me know and maybe we can meet up and have a Waborita or two!

good to see folks still debating the AZ law, bad to see people having hurt or angry feelings during the debate. even when you disagree with someone, you should respect their opinion. even if YOU think they are totally out of their minds, THEY think you are. the only way to change someone's mind about something is through intelligent and unbiased conversation. at the end of the day no matter who is right, it's the consequences of our actions that determine success or failure.

i put in my 2 cents before, none of this would be happening if we had a semi-competent government. change that and we can change the world!

That's the trouble with you Yanks, you only want a semi-competent government. What you need is a competent government!

Turbo, I am not trying to hurt AZ, just warn people about an unconstitutional political power grab at the state level that hurts all Americans. This may help explain the protest:

"The danger posed by laws such as Arizona's is not really that it will be used as a bludgeon against Arizona's Hispanic residents, whether citizens, legal immigrants, or illegal aliens. We can all recognize the issue there: aggressive harassment of non-white Arizonians. Some people find this unpleasant, some are enthusiastic about it. Some of the enthusiasts are racists and xenophobes, others honestly believe that illegal immigration is such a problem that the ends justify the means.

What is more alarming is the concept that in the name of fighting illegal immigration, a law like Arizona's is passed which infringes on the rights of every American. A law that provides law enforcement with a pretext to pull over anyone they find suspicious, and to detain them in the name of verifying their identity.

The Arizona law, for example, provides that law enforcement will verify the detainee's immigration status with federal authorities. However, it does not specify a time frame in which this verification process must take place. The seeming protection of rights actually becomes a mechanism of oppression itself.

Imagine this scenario: You are a 2nd generation German-American living outside Tucson. You moved there recently and don't know your neighbors particularly well. Your father immigrated to the United States about 30 years ago and, after years as a lawful permanent resident, became a citizen a few years ago. Your cousins from Frankfurt are visiting and they've been chatting loudly in your yard. A cruiser pulls up, lights flashing. The cop is friendly but stern. Apparently someone called in to report possible illegals. Your cousins produce their passports. When your father comes out of the house, the cop asks to see his id. In his still accented English, your father explains that his documents are still enroute from Texas, where you previously lived. More police cars arrive. The neighbors are staring. You wonder which one of them called the police. After a hasty huddle, the cops ask your father to come down to the station so they can verify his identity.

What happens next? Maybe your father remembers his social security number. Maybe that's not good enough. (Remember, the Arizona law doesn't specify how you can prove your identity.) Maybe the cops need a passport. Maybe they keep him in a holding cell for two days. Maybe he misses an important meeting. Maybe he gets out right away..."

It's up to us to keep America great, and the land of the free... Joe

Joe Satriani How is your cd project coming along?

...more:

"Within Arizona, opponents of the bill are making their voices heard. The sheriff of Pima, Az. has said he will refuse to enforce a law he calls "irresponsible." U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona called for an economic boycott of his own state. The city councils of Tucson, Flagstaff, and San Luis voted to sue the state over the law; the mayor of Phoenix would like to do the same, but is being blocked by the city council. Police officers from Phoenix and Tucson have also filed suit, requesting that local police be exempt from enforcing what they consider an unconstitutional law."

...and from President Obama:

Artists Against Arizona List Your a fish out of water in this scenario, Joe. I read this list and you stick out like a sore thumb.

I get what your saying about the profiling, but it has to be done. You have to weed 'em out. Just like a filter. The good ones can pass, but the bad ones have to step aside.

It's always the bad people who ruin it for the good. It happens to everybody eventually. Because life isn't perfect.

Joe - Any chance Mike Keneally will play keyboards out on the road with you as well? And if so, what are your thoughts on playing some Engines Of Creation material again? It'd be great to hear something new like Flavor Crystal 7 or Champagne? :-)