by Yerusalyim 135 Replies latest social current
I have to agree that Spain handled the whole situation poorly. They were too quick to blame the Vasques, and just didn't seem to know how to handle the whole sitatution.
Yeru, you do make an excellent point, but, most of Europe seems somewhat socialist anyway, so I do not think that really that party winning is a coo for the terrorists if it is Alquida.
Its no victory whatsoever.
If anything it raises the awareness of all against al Qaeda who's attack is on the western lifestyle etc. There will be collective support for attacking Al qaeda. That said you cannot equate the US foreign policy of attacking Iraq with ones view of Al Qaeda.
ISP
So not so much a victory for terrorism, but a loss for the people who would deal with terrorism innapropriately. Hopefully, the same type of loss will happen (w/out any further violence) in our own country.
Could it be that your own political persuasions Yeru, which include a profound anti-socialistic stance, are biasing your conclusion that this is a victory for terrorism?
If Spain previously had a socialist government, and their citizens voted in a conservative government after the terrorist attacks, I think you would be thrilled. "The terrorists woke the Spanish up. Thank God that socialist regime is gone" -- that would be your thought, no?
Bradley
Well, in this case, I find that I slightly agree with Yeru, in that:
1) If the Gallup-style polls a week before the election were accurate, the Popular party was cruising to a victory...
2) If one assumes that a terror attack, regardless of who perpetrates it, two days before a national election, is intended to affect the outcome of the election...
Then whoever perpetrated the attack succeeded in affecting the outcome of the election.
Please note that the previous analysis does not require the attack to have been by al-qaeda. I am very skeptical about that, in that they ahve never taken responsibility so soon after an incident, and not so directly (I don't think they have taken responsibility for 9/11, except indirectly, for example - or the Bali bombings either). The fact that the "clues" were far more obvious than any other previous al-qaeda clues imply that it might not be them... but regardless, whoever did it succeeded in making people think that it could have been al-qaeda, and that's what made the difference in the election.
Please remember, everyone, that the incoming Spanish PM has only stated to not be part of the "coalition"... he has clearly stated that he will support a UN-led, multilateral force. Thats what the Spanish voters overwhelmingly have been polled as wanting for months and months...so in that sense, I guess Democracy works.
For those interested in the varied international response to the Spanish election, there are summaries and links here: http://slate.msn.com/id/2097165/
Of course we can rely on Yerusalem to come up with typical American gung ho attitudes.
The fact that the Spanish people (as with the British people) will not tolerate being lied to and will use our democratic votes to demonstrate our feelings has nothing to do with it.
Of course Al Q feel it is a victory, just as Bush sees Iraq as a victory.
Yeru' read Michael Moores book, 'stupid White Men', its the equivilant of Crisis of Conscience for American Patriots.
AlanB, don't dump all American Patriots in one box. I consider myself an American Patriot. That does not mean I have a "My Country Right or Wrong" attitude. Patriot isn't a bad word. (Even if you Brits are mad, cause our tricorner hat wearing Patriot ancestors gave George III some tough love).
Terrorism won no victory in Spain. Think about, if the so-called war on terrorism was actually having some kind of real positive affect on the prevailing attitudes that cause ppl to engage in acts of terrorism, then 3/11 probably wouldn't have happened. Terrorism cannot be defeated with bombs and guns. You have to find ways to change the minds and attitudes of ppl who become terrorists. How can you truly harm a person who doesn't mind dying?
AlanB,
Michael Moore IS a stupid white man, I wouldn't waste my time reading his drivel. I'm normally pretty open minded and I will read opposing views...but Michael Moore is an attack dog that lies...intentionally...for the sake of politics. I'm not a book burner, but his I would shred.
Yeru, you do make an excellent point, but, most of Europe seems somewhat socialist anyway, so I do not think that really that party winning is a coo for the terrorists if it is Alquida.The Populars were ahead in all the polls...regardless...AQ will see this as a victory.
