Problems in Iran and Afghanistan, an Albanian ambassador embroiled in an ammunition cover-up and Boy George’s denial of a U.S. visa were among the topics the U.S. States Department spokesman Tom Casey faced at a press briefing yesterday. Sandwiched between two much more serious subjects, one confused member of the press asked Casey why Boy George wasn’t allowed into the U.S., thus forcing the Culture Clubber to cancel his first American tour in a decade. Nearly choking on his drink after being caught off-guard by the question, Casey replied, “I’ve seen the report that’s out there. Obviously, visa records are confidential. But I’d simply note that there often are difficulties for individuals who either are currently subject to criminal charges or otherwise may have criminal records.” The charges Casey is insinuating about date back to April 2007, when George allegedly imprisoned a male escort in his London apartment as well as 2005 arrest for possessing cocaine in New York City. After being told the decision was “tragic” by the questioner, the quick-witted Casey replied “Do you really want to hurt him?,” referencing one of George’s more famous songs. Check out the video above — the George question pops up at the 2:26 mark.
Comments
thomas | 6/28/2008, 12:52 pm EST
Im glad he’s NOT getting celebrity treatment.
Wait in line like everyone else.
andrea | 6/25/2008, 5:24 pm EST
sad that he should find somebody being refused a visa funny . i bet the backing band and all the people who work on boy georges tour do not find the loss of work and money so funny. nor will the thousands of his fans who want to see boy george. what do the state dept think he is going to do . i looked on the boy george live website and he was due to work every day . what happened to innocent until proven guilty. if its good enough for the UK police to say he is free to travel in any country why did we refuse him. maybe he was refused by the same sort of person as the spokesperson in this video somebody who finds another persons misfortune funny and thinks its ok to make a joke about it .

Email
AIM
Del.icio.us
DiggThis
Fark It!


- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2008 All Media Guide, LLC.