State Dept. Spokesman Chokes On Boy George

Bush’s karma chameleons pull a boner.

By Blurt Staff

When US State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey was asked why Boy George was denied a visa for his upcoming tour, he choked on his water. Evidently, that the pre-emption of the erstwhile Culture Club singer's North American tour came up in the press conference at all shocked Casey. When prodded to say why BG was blocked from entering the country, Casey appropriated a lyric in a limpwristed attempt at humor saying, "Do you really want to hurt him?"

Following it up, Casey stated, "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. So I think you might want to look toward some of those reasons as why he might be having some difficulties here."

Casey alludes to George's pending trial for the assault and false imprisonment of a Norwegian man, Auden Carlsen, in April 2007. According to the UK's Daily Mail, Carlsen, allegedly a male escort, was invited to George's home to pose for photographs. Carlsen denies being an escort, saying he agreed only to the photo session and accuses George and a companion chained him to a wall, then trotted out the whips and chains and dildos (to be fair, the Mail says sex toys, not dildos, so maybe they were french ticklers and pocket, uh, pockets).

Casey said no more on the matter; you can view the video of the press briefing HERE.

The Carlsen case goes to trial in November 22 in London. George is appealing the visa denial, and hopes to complete part of the 29-date tour, which was to begin July 10 in Aspen, CO with stops in five Canadian cities before culminating in a House of Blues performance in Dallas, TX. As well, it includes a planned free show for the New York Department of Sanitation's on August 17 for the DSNY's Family Day--meant to express his gratitude for their kindness when he worked with the DSNY in 2006 (as part of court-ordered community service for filing a false police report in August of that year). 

On www.boygeorgelive.com, George states, "I am getting my life together and was really looking forward to performing in concert for all my loyal fans. I love America and I am really sad that it appears that I am not allowed to visit a place that I have called home at various times in my life. But what has happened to me has nothing to do with the American people--they are kind people with big hearts."

Complete dates for the now-uncertain North American tour--George's first in a decade—can be found at our June 12 news item on Boy George (check that photo, kids!).