Surprised? Don't be. The US government was aware of the charges against Blythe in the Czech Republic. For those of you who were too busy watching the Olympics or some other crap Blythe was held in Prague on charges of manslaughter. He stepped off a plane in July to do a show and the Czech police threw him in the hoosgow for an event that happened 2 years earlier. Blythe had no clue there was even a warrant out for his arrest.
From June 27 to August 2 Blythe was held in prison. With basically no assistance from the US government. Again, not so shocking. What is a shock is the information released by Rolling Stone magazine. In an interview Blythe points out a couple horrible things:
Did the Czech government try and contact you prior to the arrest?
The Czech authority sent a letter to the Justice Department, and our government told them basically where they can get off. They said, "No, we won't cooperate." I don't know if the American government thought there was not enough basis for them to pursue an investigation. Regardless, what I'm a little bit steamed about is the fact that they didn't have the courtesy to contact me – in any way, shape or form – and say, "Hey, you're wanted for manslaughter in a foreign country."
Do you feel the U.S. government should have gotten involved in getting you released?
That's a sticky question, because the Czech legal system is different, and from what I understand, I was given due process. I was not imprisoned in America. That was the first thing that I had to realize and keep in mind – "We're playing by different rules here." I certainly would have appreciated a little bit more concern on my part. I saw one person from the [U.S.] Embassy. One. And they didn't really do much for me. They were just like, "Are they torturing you?" "No." "OK, goodbye." I didn't hear anything from them.
I have been watching this story since the beginning. I have a love hate relationship with international relations. I know our government is inadequate. It protects us with the under achievers by brainwash and torture, they bleed the working man dry to support the upper echelon and they degrade, destroy and demoralize our land. We are lied to, we are surrounded by cover ups and no matter how intelligently you think you are, you will never ever know what happens in the political arena. You are not invited and you will believe what you hear. That's that.
But for this information not to be shared with Blythe is one of the most cruel and irresponsible if not immoral. A touring band tours it's not as if they Blythe was never going to travel outside the US again. How can this be OK? Why wasn't a simple letter sent saying what was going on? I'm disgusted at the entire event but this information makes it all the worse.
You can chant "USA USA USA" all you want- this is an atrocity.