Spanish Election

[Habu]

The Spanish election sends a strong message to terrorists: if you think we're going to back down in the face of your attacks ... well, you got us. We'll back down.

[CyranoAH]

Yep it sends a clear message all right, but from some americans to the spanish people. It goes: "We don't care about your politics and we form our opinions without any consideration about what happens in your country".

You can say it louder, but not clearer.

Daniel

[NUKE]

Poland already announced that they would make up the difference in troops when the Spanish pull out of Iraq.

That election was what the Spanish people wanted and that's fine by me and more power to them.

[mosgood]

Unfortunately, I think you are right....  but i don't think it's true though... but I'm sure the terrorist will....

From what I have read, it doesn't seem that that was the only reason for why the elections turned out the wat they did though.  My impression is that it was more about how the Government handled the terrorist attacks than about the terrorist attacks in it's self.

and Fortunately, it doesn't mean that it's gonna happen again.  If problems get worse because of this, the world will just have to "live and learn".  It won't be the first mistake (or the last) a country makes that effects the rest of the world.

I believe in democracy and I support the people of Spain's right to run their country how they see fit.

[Habu]

Even though the Spanish people are against the war the effect of the Terrorist attack on the election was huge.

It does set a dangerous precident for the terrorists. If we kill lots of innocents right before an election look what effect it has.

The new government by announceing that they are going to pull out of Iraq and support France and Germany more and the US less has really given the terrorists exactly what they wanted.

They punished Spain and Spain did what they wanted.

What the new government should have done is say we will not tolerate attacks on Spanish soil and we are going to work closely with everyone includeing the US to find and punish those responsible. To make the statements they did so soon after the election really did send the wrong message.

[stiehl]

Maybe if we(the US) concentrated on wiping out AQ instead of wasting resources on rushing into Iraq.........

[Torque]

Spain should invaded Kuwait to keep up with current precidents.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Torque
Spain should invaded Kuwait to keep up with current precidents.

Your lack of knowledge regarding historical events between 1990 and today is evident in your posts.

[Habu]

They should take their troop out of Iraq and send them to Afganistan on the Pakistan border. That is where those responsible for the attack are hiding.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Habu
They should take their troop out of Iraq and send them to Afganistan on the Pakistan border. That is where those responsible for the attack are hiding.

Yes, today that is where they are hiding.

Yesterday?

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Our war on terror begins with al Qaida, but it does not end there. . . . we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. . . President George W. Bush, Joint Session of Congress, September 20, 2001
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Saddam Hussein is paying $25,000 to the relatives of Palestinian suicide bombers -- a $15,000 raise much welcomed by the bombers' families. In Tulkarm, one of the poorest towns on the West Bank, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council handed out the checks from Saddam. The payments have been made for at least two years, but the amount has suddenly jumped up by $15,000 -- a bonus for the families of 'martyrs', to reward those taking part in the escalating war against Israel. . . . Fox News, March 26, 2002
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This general served Saddam Hussein for decades. Along with another Iraqi defector, Sabah Khodada (see below), the general tells of terrorists training in a Boeing 707 resting next to railroad tracks on the edge of Salman Pak, an area south of Baghdad. The existence of the plane has been confirmed by U.N. inspectors. The general describes the men who trained there, the camp's security, and his "gut feeling" that the camp was in some way tied to the Sept. 11 attacks. Iraqi Lt. General, PBS and New York Times Interview, November 6, 2001
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A captain in the Iraqi army from 1982 to 1992, he worked at what he describes as a highly secret terrorist training camp at Salman Pak, an area south of Baghdad. In this translated interview Khodada describes what went on at Salman Pak, including details on training hijackers. He emigrated to the U.S. in May 2001. Sabah Kodada, Iraqi Army Captain, PBS and New York Times Interview, October 14, 2001
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An investigation by Frontline confirmed that Iraqi intelligence had trained at least forty Islamic terrorists between 1995 and 2000 in how to hijacking airliners using a Boeing-747 that was originally Kuwaiti property. Frontline, PBS, November 14, 2001
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Iraq continues to aid and harbor other international terrorist organizations, including organizations that threaten the lives and safety of American citizens. . . . Congressional Resolution Authorizing Force Against Iraq, October 15, 2002
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Shortly before the Sept. 11 attacks, a group of al-Qaida fighters left Afghanistan and set up shop in Iraq as a backup base, according to a report in today‘s Los Angeles Times. Osama bin Laden‘s jihadists established such a base in town of Al Biyara and nearby mountain villages where Kurdish militants had begun imposing the strict Islamic rule much like Afghanistan‘s ousted Taliban regime, according to the Times report. While this base is further evidence of Saddam Hussein‘s recent support of al-Qaida, documented by many intelligence sources over the last 10 years, Iraq is attempting to maintain plausible deniability with regard to the bases – suggesting they are outside the control of the government in Baghdad. Intelmessages.com and Los Angeles Times, December 9, 2002
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The British also released a dossier on Iraq which claimed that at least two key Al-Qaeda lieutenants underwent training inIraq. The dossier also confirmed that Iraq was paying Al-Qaeda to use its Ansar forces based in northern Iraq to attack the Kurdish forces. Reuters, September 14, 2002
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[slimm50]

Originally posted by mosgood
Unfortunately, I think you are right....  but i don't think it's true though... but I'm sure the terrorist will....

From what I have read, it doesn't seem that that was the only reason for why the elections turned out the wat they did though.  My impression is that it was more about how the Government handled the terrorist attacks than about the terrorist attacks in it's self.

and Fortunately, it doesn't mean that it's gonna happen again.  If problems get worse because of this, the world will just have to "live and learn".  It won't be the first mistake (or the last) a country makes that effects the rest of the world.

I believe in democracy and I support the people of Spain's right to run their country how they see fit.

...except for that last sentence, what did you say????

[straffo]

I don't see the point in criticizing the spanish citizen : Vox populi vox Dei.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by straffo
I don't see the point in criticizing the spanish citizen : Vox populi vox Dei.

As a whole, what is wrong with criticizm?

There is no question that al Qaeda won an enormous vidtory in Spain over the last week. Prior to the terrorist bombing, Aznar's party was ahead of the socialists in the polls by about 6%. Post-bombing, socialists soundly defeated Aznar's party by about the same margin.

Reasons cited by voters overwhelmingly came down to two issues: Aznar's government pushing the ETA to quickly as the culprits, and support of the US in the war on Iraq. Notably, in the window between the bombing and the election al Qaeda claimed responsibility, and cited Spain's support of the overthrow of Hussein's government as the reason.

One would have to be naive beyond imagination to miss the clear intent here on the part of al Qaeda. The action was deliberately timed to inflame the electorate, and influence the election. They succeeded.

[Eagler]

[Ripsnort]

^^Hopefully we can discuss issues without name calling. I didn't even get close to that other thread. This one seems to be alittle more civil.