Ksyrup
05-29-2004, 09:44 AM
This is so ridiculous, I'm not sure whether this article is mocking the claim, or supporting it...
Did heavy metal turn Calif. kid into terrorist?
By Eric Heyl ([email protected])
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, May 28, 2004 <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
If only he hadn't cranked the Ozzy Osbourne. <o:p></o:p>
If only Adam Gadahn hadn't played air guitar while listening to the likes of Metallica, Motorhead or Motley Crue, he undoubtedly would not be the subject of a worldwide manhunt today. <o:p></o:p>
Gadahn, 25, was one of seven people federal authorities identified Wednesday as suspected terrorists. The only American on the list, Gadahn is thought to be an al-Qaida operative. <o:p></o:p>
For those wondering how a presumably nice young man from California would end up attending al-Qaida training camps in Afghanistan and serving as a translator for the terrorist scourges, I have but two words for you: <o:p></o:p>
Heavy metal. <o:p></o:p>
Over the years, the musical genre's aggressive rhythms, distorted guitars and dark lyrical content have been conclusively proven to be solely responsible for a host of societal ills. Just ask the many organizations that have blamed heavy metal for murder, suicide, depression, drug abuse, date rape, flat beer, clogged lint traps, bad hair days and tumor growth in select laboratory rats. <o:p></o:p>
You can bet such groups are going to add terrorism to that lengthy list when they discover Gadahn's autobiographical musings, which are posted on a number of Internet sites. <o:p></o:p>
"I had become obsessed with demonic heavy metal music, something the rest of my family was not happy with," he wrote. "My entire life was focused on expanding my music collection. I eschewed personal cleanliness and let my room reach an unbelievable state of disarray. My relationship with my parents became strained, although only intermittently so." <o:p></o:p>
Gadahn began listening to heavy metal. Soon thereafter, he wasn't bathing regularly, keeping his room tidy or being nice to his parents. <o:p></o:p>
See how these things can snowball? Start down such a precarious path and before you know it, you're a religious zealot renouncing your country and listening to Pantera reverb off the walls of bin Laden's latest cave. <o:p></o:p>
Some people insist heavy metal and its popular practitioners are harmless. They contend it's absurd to blame a particular musical styling for some of life's negative aspects. <o:p></o:p>
Even obvious evidence to the contrary in the form of Gadahn's own writing is unlikely to persuade them otherwise. Heavy metal apologists are either unwilling or unable to see that Osbourne and his ilk have claimed another victim. It's a Gadahn shame. <o:p></o:p>
Eric Heyl is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review staff writer. He can be reached at [email protected] ([email protected]) or (412) 320-7857.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<!-- End story_column.php story template -->
Did heavy metal turn Calif. kid into terrorist?
By Eric Heyl ([email protected])
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, May 28, 2004 <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
If only he hadn't cranked the Ozzy Osbourne. <o:p></o:p>
If only Adam Gadahn hadn't played air guitar while listening to the likes of Metallica, Motorhead or Motley Crue, he undoubtedly would not be the subject of a worldwide manhunt today. <o:p></o:p>
Gadahn, 25, was one of seven people federal authorities identified Wednesday as suspected terrorists. The only American on the list, Gadahn is thought to be an al-Qaida operative. <o:p></o:p>
For those wondering how a presumably nice young man from California would end up attending al-Qaida training camps in Afghanistan and serving as a translator for the terrorist scourges, I have but two words for you: <o:p></o:p>
Heavy metal. <o:p></o:p>
Over the years, the musical genre's aggressive rhythms, distorted guitars and dark lyrical content have been conclusively proven to be solely responsible for a host of societal ills. Just ask the many organizations that have blamed heavy metal for murder, suicide, depression, drug abuse, date rape, flat beer, clogged lint traps, bad hair days and tumor growth in select laboratory rats. <o:p></o:p>
You can bet such groups are going to add terrorism to that lengthy list when they discover Gadahn's autobiographical musings, which are posted on a number of Internet sites. <o:p></o:p>
"I had become obsessed with demonic heavy metal music, something the rest of my family was not happy with," he wrote. "My entire life was focused on expanding my music collection. I eschewed personal cleanliness and let my room reach an unbelievable state of disarray. My relationship with my parents became strained, although only intermittently so." <o:p></o:p>
Gadahn began listening to heavy metal. Soon thereafter, he wasn't bathing regularly, keeping his room tidy or being nice to his parents. <o:p></o:p>
See how these things can snowball? Start down such a precarious path and before you know it, you're a religious zealot renouncing your country and listening to Pantera reverb off the walls of bin Laden's latest cave. <o:p></o:p>
Some people insist heavy metal and its popular practitioners are harmless. They contend it's absurd to blame a particular musical styling for some of life's negative aspects. <o:p></o:p>
Even obvious evidence to the contrary in the form of Gadahn's own writing is unlikely to persuade them otherwise. Heavy metal apologists are either unwilling or unable to see that Osbourne and his ilk have claimed another victim. It's a Gadahn shame. <o:p></o:p>
Eric Heyl is a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review staff writer. He can be reached at [email protected] ([email protected]) or (412) 320-7857.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<!-- End story_column.php story template -->