March 13, 2004
A SAD POSTCARD FROM SPAIN
Hello friends. We are two bloggers from Spain and first of all, we would like to thank Tim for his extremely kind invitation to post our thoughts and information on the developments surrounding yesterday’s atrocity in Madrid.
As you already know, yesterday was a black day here in Spain. Some bastards planted 13 backpacks full of dynamite aboard several commuting trains in Madrid, programmed to explode simultaneously around 8:00 am (rush hour). They killed 199 people and wounded 1462 (dozens of whom are in a very critical situation).
The images and testimonies that we’ve been watching are absolutely heart wrecking. Last night some of the people who were working in the mass morgue that was improvised in a convention center needed medical sedation because they couldn’t cope with what they were watching: dozens of people inside black plastic bags whose mobile phones kept ringing all the time. Several children in a school nearby one of the explosions were waiting for their parents to take them home. Their parents never came.
A woman who survived the blast has lost her husband, her two sons, and her grandsons. The radio reported this morning that she was so overwhelmed with the loss that she later tried to kill herself. In one of the destroyed trains they rescued a seven month old baby. They haven’t been able to find his parents and he has just died while in the ICU. The attack has killed people from eleven different nationalities.
From the first moment, everybody here pointed to ETA as the culprits. That Basque terrorist group has been killing Spaniards for more than 30 years, claiming more than 800 lives (not counting these last attacks). And they have been trying to hit Madrid with a big one for some time. In February two terrorists were arrested carrying half a ton of explosives to Madrid. On Christmas Eve they tried an operation identical to what happened yesterday. The attack was thwarted when Spanish police arrested two ETA terrorists with backpacks full of explosives aboard trains en route to Madrid.
Later in the day some news pointed to Al Qaeda or other Islamic terrorists as possible authors of the massacre. There’s not enough elements to dismiss this possibility, though some of the allegations sound more like a disinformation campaign than anything else.
ETA was, and still is the most probable perpetrator of the monstrosity that happened yesterday in Madrid. John Chappell at IberianNotes says why.
Whoever did this, we are going to know soon. Maybe it will take only some hours; maybe it will take days, weeks or even more. The problem is that everybody seems to be in a hurry about it. Why? We don’t particularly see any significant difference if this was done by Al Qaeda or ETA. Two hundred people have been killed. We really hoped that the world has learned that terrorism is terrorism, regardless the “root causes” or “motives” that inspire it. Prime Minister Aznar just said “beyond this initial speculation, no society can accept that there may be explainable and unexplainable terrorisms. There are no nuances between religious and ethnic fanaticism, only nuances in their excuses. This is what we are confronting”.
However, with a general election on Sunday, the political crossfire has already started. Only a day after the attacks. Too many in the anti-war crowd (and that’s a damn big crowd here) are openly wishing that this has been done by Al Qaeda because in their sick minds that would allow them to blame PM Aznar as ultimately responsible of the attacks after aligning Spain with the U.S. in the war against terrorism, against their wishes.
Some top officials in the Socialist Party, currently in the opposition and who hope to win in next Sunday’s elections, are on record saying the government is hiding information about the terrorist acts and even that “the Partido Popular government is under suspicion”. This is really sickening. And it’s even more sickening to think that it may not cause a backlash, as would normally happen in a healthy society.
We will be posting the new developments as they come. Thanks for your support, our friends all over the world.
[Posted by Golan and Franco Alemán from HispaLibertas]
UPDATE. Greyhawk sends a link our way, and notes:
Posted by Tim Blair at March 13, 2004 01:58 AMConsider this: An American in Europe just recommended his predominantly American readership visit an Australian's website to read a post from some citizens of Spain. The world is smaller and smaller, and is shrinking due to the many benefits of civilization.
And that small and civilized world is united in support of the people of Spain.
This appears to be a case of collosal intelligence failure. Why did they not piece the clues together before 311? Did Aznar allow 311 to happen? Was it for political gain in the upcoming elections? How much did he know and when did he know it? Will Halliburton be involved in the rail reconstruction efforts? Why is Aznar dragging his feet on investigations into the intelligence failures that could have prevented 311? These questions need to be answered.
Posted by: Michael M. Moore at March 13, 2004 at 02:11 AMMy heart and prayers are with Spain today and my tears are still falling. I know that whoever planted these bombs, be they ETA or AQ, will feel the full measure of justice coming to them. Stay strong - there are many with you.
Amy
Posted by: Amy in California at March 13, 2004 at 02:16 AMPlease know that you have my deepest sympathies.
Amelia in Georgia, U.S.
Posted by: Amelia at March 13, 2004 at 02:21 AMGolan and Franco Alemán, thank you for posting this information. Whoever did it, it was mindless, senseless murder, and the victims and the Spanish people have all my sympathy.
Posted by: AK at March 13, 2004 at 02:21 AMMy prayers are with you guys, just so senseless, sick and plain stupid. You have much support here in Aus. We've seen your pain.
Michael M Moore - your touching words so close to a tragedy, label you a fuckwit.
I remember the disbelief I felt on September 11, and the stunned silence that fell over my group when we heard news of the Bali bombing. And now it's happened again.
Whether it was the ETA or Al Qaeda, they are terrorists and the enemies of civilisation. If there is anything that Australia can do to assist you, we will be there.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at March 13, 2004 at 02:46 AMHaving listened to and watched Spanish media reports during much of today and yesterday (I live in Barcelona) I get the impression local media outlets are desperately trying, by focusing on evidence suggesting Al Queda was the possible perpetrator, to find some way to pin the blame for the Madrid atrocities on Prime Minister Aznar and the Partido Popular, for supporting the war in Iraq. As if Islamofascists give a flying f*** about Iraq or Iraqis and Spain's foreign policy.
Cheers, Henry Cybulski
Posted by: Henry Cybulski at March 13, 2004 at 02:50 AMMy deepest sympathy goes to the citizens of Spain, and to all of the others who lost friends and loved ones in this horrible attack. I know that President Bush and the American people will do all that we can to assist Prime Minister Aznar and the people of Spain in the effort to recover. We will also be eager to help in bringing justice to the inhuman monsters that perpetrated this crime. These people are not animals. Animals do not behave in this fashion. These are evil people, evil to the point that they can no longer be allowed to exist with the rest of humanity.
Franklin Hill
Oklahoma City
Golan and Franco Alemán, I also want to thank you for this post, and extend my sympathy to you and all the people of Spain. This was an outrageous attack.
Tim, thanks for this novel approach to your site. Good work.
Posted by: Matt in Denver at March 13, 2004 at 03:00 AMGolan and Franco,
Please accept my sympathy and condolences for your terrible losses. As on 9/11, today I am crying for the dead and for those who are still alive yet have so much sorrow to bear. But now I know it is true, we are all brothers and sisters, fighting terrorism together. They are wrong, we are right.
I am no longer afraid.
Love,
Posted by: Pat from California at March 13, 2004 at 03:01 AM"Too many in the anti-war crowd.........in their sick minds"
"Some top officials in the Socialist Party.........are on record saying the government is hiding information about the terrorist acts, This is really sickening "
I'm neither a socialist, nor was I anti-war, but I am deeply offended by the way an apparently humanitarian post about 199 people dying is turned into a political rant. In memory of the dead I post a short piece from Machado which I have just put up on Fistful of Euros: this was the kind of problem he had in mind.
Españolito que vienes al mundo,
te guarde Dios,
una de las dos españas
ha de helarte el corazón
I'm surprised that Tim was honoured to have this type of material.
Golan and Franco:
Just wanted you to know that my thoughts, prayers, sympathies (and anger!!) are with the people of Spain today. We here in America are WITH you, in the aftermath of this outrageous terror attack.
9/11. Bali. Now Spain. It was only a matter of time, and it will happen again, unless these people who thrive on the murder of innocents are stopped.
My deepest sympathy to the people of Spain.
Posted by: Rebecca at March 13, 2004 at 03:10 AMEdward,
You're right, it reminds of the past. Of a time back when some people did anything in order to take political advantage even if that put the country to an untolerable level of pressure. But that pressure is created by critics trying to divide the country. Just imagine if, say, on the very same evening of 9-11, with the dead still unburied, the democrat party had accused Bush of being responsible of the attacks. I think it took some time to do it, when people had dried their tears, at least. I mean, they started when the election was getting closer. But here, you know, they had to hurry, because election's on Sunday...
Posted by: Franco Alemán (Barcelona, Spain) at March 13, 2004 at 03:14 AMEdward Hugh posts:"I'm neither a socialist, nor was I anti-war, but I am deeply offended by the way an apparently humanitarian post about 199 people dying is turned into a political rant."
Um, the original posters were noting how the anti-war and Socialist parties were turning this tragedy into political hay. And you found the mention of this offensive?
I find making political hay out of the deaths caused by religious or ethnic terrorists offensive. But maybe that's just me.
Condolences to the people of Spain.
Posted by: ushie at March 13, 2004 at 03:17 AMThank you so much, Tim, for inviting these folks to share their experiences here.
My deepest sympathies to the people of Spain who are suffering in the aftermath of this gruesome attack. Your friends in America are with you.
Posted by: Emily at March 13, 2004 at 03:21 AMSome background -- I've gotten to know Franco a little via e-mail, and knew he could write beautifully. I also knew that the foreign coverage of Bali wasn't great, largely because it ignored much of the detail in local reports.
So we needed someone in Spain to tell us about this. Golan and Franco are our guys. Much thanks to them for agreeing to write here.
Posted by: tim at March 13, 2004 at 03:39 AMFor some reason the image of cell phones ringing in body bags, out of all that horror, touches me the most.
May God comfort the people of Spain, America is with you now, and with you in whatever you choose to do later.
Joe
Posted by: monkeyboy at March 13, 2004 at 03:57 AMGolan and Franco,
There have been several suggestions here in the US to send flowers to the Spanish embassy and consulates. As I suspect that they are going to look like gardens for the next several days, I'd rather send a bouquet to someone lying injured in a Madrid hospital. Can you tell us which hospitals are treating the wounded? (Or is "all of them"?) The internet will provide all the rest of the needed information, ie addresses and telephone numbers.
And- so that I can fill out the online forms- can you please provide the Spanish translation for "For someone injured in the terrorist attacks"? I apologize- Spanish is not one of my languages.
Thanks for your help, if you can!
Posted by: Don Eyres at March 13, 2004 at 03:59 AMWords fail me at times like these. Murder cannot be justified. If this is a response by Al-Qaeda to Mr. Aznar's alliance with the United States in the war against terror, it is Al-Qaeda's fault, not Mr. Aznar's. Our war against terror is not the moral equivalent of terror. We must win. We will win.
Today, we mourn the death of these innocents. Tomorrow and every day thereafter, we continue our work to assure that it does not happen again.
As an American, I thank Spain for standing with us while some of her neighbors did not, and I sorrow for the price that Spain has paid.
Posted by: Jim at March 13, 2004 at 04:05 AMDon,
Sadly, they're all over the city, but the majority seems to be in the Hospital Gregorio Marañón (Street Doctor Esquerdo, 46 - 28007 Madrid; that's the main address though I'm not sure how easy a delivery guy will be able to reach the injured.)
The sentence would be translated as "Para alguna persona herida en los ataques terroristas".
Thank you all, people.
Posted by: Franco Alemán (Barcelona, Spain) at March 13, 2004 at 04:08 AMGolan and Franco,
Thanks for taking time to provide this information and background into the situation. It's a shame that a scatologist on the scale of Michael Moore has seen fit to defile your efforts.
Posted by: Lee at March 13, 2004 at 04:13 AMDon Eyres, that is a wonderful idea. Thank you.
And, to Golan and Franco, I want to add my thanks, and my sincerest sympathies, to those you've heard already.
Posted by: JPS at March 13, 2004 at 04:42 AMIs it just me, or did anyone else see the post by 'Michael Moore' as an attempt at a joke? It looked to me like someone trying to do a Moore imitation to say what Moore would likely say, given that he said the same about 9/11. I dunno, seems to me y'all are taking that post way more seriously than you should. *shrugs*
Franco and Golan, you and your countrymen are in my prayers. I don't think it matters which version of scum is responsible, or what pathetic excuse at justification they use. Wrong is wrong. Take heart, you have friends.
Posted by: Vicki at March 13, 2004 at 04:44 AM
Spain stood with America and America now stands with Spain. Our prayers are with you.
My sympathies are with the Spanish people, and the resolve of the American people are there for you as well. We all will triumph over the coward terrorists who only have the sack to kill innocents. Gutless.
Posted by: Drake at March 13, 2004 at 05:02 AMFranco and Golan,
Thanks for the info, and the link. A pair of bouqets are rushing through the internet even as we speak.
Anyone else- just do a Yahoo or Google search for "madrid florist", ignore those in Madrid IA, and use the information Franco and Golan provided. Go.
Posted by: Don Eyres at March 13, 2004 at 05:08 AMMy condolences to the people of Spain, you have the support of the residents of Michigan (USA).
It's time for a new crusade. Where do I sign up?
La Reconquista took seven hundred years. The Spanish people don't quit.
Not then.
Not now.
My deepest sympathies and prayers for those who have suffered the latest display of inhumanity by terrorists.
Don't even discuss the root causes. Make them (the terrorists) worry about root causes that will hunt them down and get all of them. No sympathy for or pandering to terrorists. None of our societies can allow acts like this to lead to any sort of compromises with the terrorists.
Posted by: Chris Josephson at March 13, 2004 at 06:06 AM"Too many in the anti-war crowd (and that’s a damn big crowd here) are openly wishing that this has been done by Al Qaeda because in their sick minds that would allow them to blame PM Aznar as ultimately responsible of the attacks after aligning Spain with the U.S. in the war against terrorism."
The revealed idiocy of the agressive cancer that would blame anyone other than who carried out these gruesome attacks must be cut out from civiization and destroyed.
I agree with Vicki - I think the ``Michael M Moore'' post was a heavy-handed parody of what Supersize Mike would have said. Could have used some ``sarcasm'' tags though - it's a little too much like the real thing.
Franco y Golan - habra una misa para los muertos y los heridos de este vil atentado a mi parroquia el 23 de marzo a las 9 de la manana. Y sean asegurados que la gente de los Estados Unidos les apoyara en esta lucha, porque ya es hora borrar estos asesinos y enemigos de la civilizacion.
Posted by: Annalucia at March 13, 2004 at 06:20 AMToday all good Americans stand with our friends in Spain, in symapthy, in anger, and in a shared desire that someday we will be able to tell our children, "It is over. We won."
May the people of Spain and Britain and Australia and the US walk shoulder to shoulder across the new century and make the world a better place for all mankind.
You are in our hearts and on our minds. Today, this Swede in Atlanta Georgia is walking tall; because today, I am a Spaniard.
Posted by: Rick The Lawyer at March 13, 2004 at 06:21 AMSomeone said something in an earlier comment along the lines of "today we are all Spainards"
That sums it up for me. We're in this together.
Posted by: Sortelli at March 13, 2004 at 06:45 AMThe Terrorists have made it very clear that Western Civilization is their enemy. We should respect that, and treat them accordingly by anihilating every last one of them. America stands with you; your fight is our fight.
With deepest sympathies,
Michael Lacy,
United States
"For all that you hold dear on this good Earth,
I bid you stand, Men of the West!"
Aragorn
Of all the horrible images in my mind from watching the 9/11 attacks, the ones that still seem most poignant are the ones of family members going around New York with pictures of their loved ones, checking the hospitals, etc. As one of the above posters was, I seem to be particularly moved by the stories of cell phones ringing inside the body bags. My heart goes out to all the people of Spain. Thanks for providing the space, Tim. Franco and Golan, thank you for taking the time to open your hearts to us.
Posted by: Daniel L. Merriman at March 13, 2004 at 07:15 AM"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty"
President John F. Kennedy
1961
Proposed three step plan:
1. Find out who did this.
2. Make sure.
3. Kill them.
To be fair though, there's a little of the hoping AQ did it on the right too, so the Arabs can be blamed and support for the WOT increased. Steyn, for example, has jumped the gun and blamed AQ.
If QA were involved (unlikely), both sides will use this as proof they were right all along, another example of the divergence of left-right realities.
Posted by: Amos at March 13, 2004 at 07:35 AMFranco and Golan, please know that yes, we are all Spaniards after 3/11 and that this must not stand!
I pray that God rests the souls of the victims, heals the wounded and comforts the sorrowful.
We here in America stand shoulder to shoulder in fighting and winning this War against Terrorism!
Spain has been there for us since 9/11 and we will be there for Spain.
Viva Espana!
(And Tim, thanks for hosting such wonderful guests.
I can only imagine that Ozzies relived the horror of Bali on Thursday as we Yanks relived 9/11...and Bali...and the Intifada...The evil of terrorist murder must be stopped!)
Truly a sad day. My sympathies to the Spanish people. There are no root causes. Only Hatred.
Posted by: Quentin George at March 13, 2004 at 07:41 AMI've started several times to write a comment, but I didn't post them because they turned into rants about killing the f***ers who did this. That's how I felt after 9/11 and Bali, and that's how I feel now.
However, right now I want to thank Golan and Franco for the firsthand observations and insights. And I want to offer my condolences to everyone in Spain.
Posted by: Polly at March 13, 2004 at 07:43 AM
"dozens of people inside black plastic bags whose mobile phones kept ringing all the time."
I burst into tears at this. My guts haven't been twisted like this since reading the stories of 9/11 and Bali.
Bastards. Dirty, f***ing ETA bastards. My wife was in one of those stations last fall with her students. How many Spanish husbands are widowers today? I can't imagine the grief.
French apologists always bring up France's aid to the US in the War of Independence every time someone points out their arrogant duplicity since then. Few know about Spain's massive contribution to our freedom in that same war.
Viva Espana.
Posted by: Dave S. at March 13, 2004 at 08:08 AMI just want to add my condolences to those posted here. This is yet another truly reprehensible act.
Posted by: Sammie at March 13, 2004 at 08:47 AMI am so saddened and maddened by this. First, my prayers to your country and certainly to those family members and witnesses/survivors. Nothing can compare - as I know having lived through NCY's 9/11 in Manhattan that day.
However, you are spot on with lunatics looking to blame your own country or leadership - just like many tried to do here.
One Spanish journalist, Antonio Gala, said this: "If the hell unleashed which burned the whole of Madrid on Thursday is the result of Islamic fanaticism, we must look at Spain's role in the Iraq war: an involvement which our citizens rejected."
Nothing is worse than justifying terrorism. I'm just happy no one was dancing and celebrating in the streets like after 9/11. We didn't start this war. We'll finish it.
Your brother across the sea.
Scott S
NYC
www.slantpoint.com
Thank you for your support, from Madrid (Spain), folks.
Some people wanted to know the name and address of the hospitals which are treating the wounded. Here you are (I don't know if they are still there):
Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre
Av. Córdoba, km 5,4
28026 MADRID
Tel. 913908000
Hospital Gregorio Marañón
C/ Doctor Esquerdo, 46
28007 MADRID
Tel. 915868000
Hospital Universitario La Paz
Pº Castellana, 261
28046 MADRID
Tel. 917277000
Hospital General de Móstoles
C/ Río Júcar, s/n
28935 MÓSTOLES (MADRID)
Tel. 916648600
Hospital Universitario de la Princesa
C/ Diego de León, 62
28006 MADRID
Tel. 915202200
Hospital Clínico San Carlos
Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n
28040 MADRID
Tel. 913303000
Hospital Virgen de la Torre
C/ Puerto de Lumbreras, 5
28031 MADRID
Tel. 913315643
Hospital Universitario de Getafe
Ctra. Toledo, km 12,5
28905 GETAFE (MADRID)
Tel. 916839360
Hospital Príncipe de Asturias
Ctra. Meco, s/n
28805 ALCALÁ DE HENARES (MADRID)
Tel. 918878100
Clínica Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
Av. Reyes Católicos, 2
28040 MADRID
Tel. 915504800
Hospital Severo Ochoa
Av. Orellana, s/n
28911 LEGANÉS (MADRID)
Tel. 914818000
Hospital de Alcorcón
C/ Budapest, 1
28922 ALCORCÓN (MADRID)
Tel. 916219400
Hospital Ramón y Cajal
Ctra. Colmenar Viejo, km 9,1
28034 MADRID
Tel. 913368000
Hospital Infantil universitario Niño Jesús
Av. Menéndez Pelayo, 65
28009 MADRID
Tel. 915035900
Clínica Moncloa
Av. Valladolid, 83
28008 MADRID
Tel. 915957000
For the moment there can only be grief and those who rushes to make political capital out of this appalling tragedy are unpricipled and unworthy of the name human.
Posted by: Peter UK at March 13, 2004 at 09:54 AMThe ones who talk about root causes anger me. After reading of the aftermaths of this attack (the descriptions of cell phones are currently destroying me) and others over the years, I find myself coming to one conclusion: I really, really don't give a damn about "root causes".
These people died because some rabid two-legged animals decided it was "justified" to deliberately plant explosives murder them. The checklist someone posted above sounds like a good idea. (Though any posers who try to claim credit for something they didn't do should be... convinced that it is not a good idea.)
I have an American friend who has lived in Alcala de Henares near Madrid for 10 years now. I got an email last night from him letting us know that he and his family are fine. No one he knows was killed or injured, thank goodness, although some of his kids' friends often take one of those trains to school. Not this time, though.
He feels that ETA was responsible.
My deepest sympathies to all Spaniards. We Americans know what pain you are suffering and we will not forget you.
Posted by: timks at March 13, 2004 at 10:16 AMI posted this on LGF earlier, but it works still:
I am an American. A Californian to be exact. From nowhere special. I have never been to Spain. I may never go to Spain. I don't even speak Spanish. But today, today I am a Spaniard. We are all Spaniards. Your country has suffered a disaster that I can not now, nor will likely ever, fully comprehend. Men of evil did this. Yes, I say evil, for there is no other word to describe the hatred, the callous disregard for human life and God granted dignity of men, of those who would commit such an act. I wish to express my greatest sympathy to the people of Spain, who suffer now because of the scourge of terrorism. This suffering shall not just die away. It shall linger, linger on in the hearts of those who must bury their dead, who must visit the graves of them each year on this day, those who must explain to their children why Mother, or Father, or Brother, or Sister will not be coming home again. To those who will mourn the passing of loved ones their whole lives, this day shall never end. My prayers are with you all. This is a wound that shall never fully heal, and that is the greatest sorrow of all. Buildings and trains may be rebuilt, but lives can not. Spain stood by America in its darkest time in recent years, something that I, or any American, shall never forget. You stood by us in our hour of darkness, now let us return that favor. Whatever it is that you need now of us, just ask. We shall be there for you. My prayers are with the people of Spain. May God bless you, and all the people of Spain, and may His justice be swift, and sure.
Posted by: FH at March 13, 2004 at 10:17 AMMy sympathy in your hour of grief, Spain.
And let us not ignore root causes. The root causes of terrorism are terrorists.
Posted by: Dean Douthat at March 13, 2004 at 10:36 AMMy sympathies, my condolences, and my prayers are with those touched by this horrible act of war.
This is not simply a crime. This is not an act of political protest. It is an act of violence against Spain and liberal democracy.
Terrorism is a cancer on the world. If only it could be cured.
I seem to have gotten a little angry; I did not want to, I wanted to pass on my wishes of support to everyone affected by this horrible tragedy. May justice be brought to those that did this.
Posted by: John Middleton at March 13, 2004 at 11:13 AMTo all my Spanish brothers and sisters my heartfelt condolences at this terrible time. We will prevail, the light always banishes the darkness.
Posted by: Dog at March 13, 2004 at 11:45 AMGreat snapshot, Golan & Franco,
What really guts me about the picture you give, even more than the mobile phones, is the image of children waiting for parents who would never arrive. Spain has every ounce of sympathy I can give at this time.
Fellers, your country is on the opposite side of the world to Australia, but if we in the great southern land can aid you in your own fight with terrorists, you'll find that's no distance at all for us to travel. We're as ready to stoush it out with ETA as with Al-Qaeda.
Viva Espana
Steve in Melbourne
Posted by: National Party Headcase at March 13, 2004 at 01:08 PMAppalled as I am by the tragedy, I'm also aware that out there somewhere, are the bastards who executed 200 poor souls who were simply going about their life's work..., bastards who have parents, a family and others who they probably claim are friends.
But it must still have been difficult to have acquired the components of 13 bombs - explosives, detonators, electronic devices to set them off, back packs to tote the explosive, and more without their parents, their family, friends or others noticing the peculiar behaviour.
Surely someone somewhere will recall an odd purchase, odd behaviour or sudden disappearance of someone they had thought of as a friend?
If anyone remembers, let the rest of us know as I figure right now, we'd wreak our own version of justice!
Posted by: lee at March 13, 2004 at 01:14 PMRain
Not a cold soaking blustery wind driven rain.
A sweet springtime rain just enough to allow the tears to fall concealed.
- Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. - Matthew 5:4
Posted by: Papertiger at March 13, 2004 at 01:22 PMLast night some of the people who were working in the mass morgue that was improvised in a convention center needed medical sedation because they couldn’t cope with what they were watching: dozens of people inside black plastic bags whose mobile phones kept ringing all the time.After an hour of that, I would've needed sedatives.
Golan & Franco, thank you and God bless you. Our sympathies and prayers are with you and your countrymen.
Posted by: Spiny Norman at March 13, 2004 at 01:41 PMGreat post guys. Spain didn't deserve this; it's an awful thing to happen. My sympathies.
Posted by: TimT at March 13, 2004 at 05:39 PMMy heart goes out to the people of Madrid and of Spain -- thanks to Franco and Golan for offering a place to speak to you directly. I have left flowers at the local consulate but that still seems like so little. May your nation avoid political crossfire from all sides, left/right/everywhere, as the country recovers from this tragedy.
Posted by: Vanessa at March 13, 2004 at 07:54 PMDeep sadness is what I feel right now.
I can say with all candor that if I could have joined those millions of souls who called the terrorists just what they are.....murderers and cowards, I would have.
They want crusades? We should give em crusades. They want Islam to rule? Let it rule in hell. And don't tell me Islam's a religion of peace as I can probably count the number of muslim clerics who've condemned acts of terrorism on one hand. Even when the rare cleric denounces the murdering you find out later he's been financing terrorist organizations all along.
Maybe some of the 'shiny happy people' pacifists will wake up after this. Doubt it.
Posted by: Rob at March 13, 2004 at 08:36 PMUn saludo desde Barcelona amigos, juntos unidos venceremos.
PD: es muy triste no poder haber ido a la manifestacion de Bcn para solidarizarme con mis compatriotas de Madrid, pero me asquean los politicos catalanes en este momento.
Keep watch dear Lord with those who work, or watch or weep this night...Give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering...
- from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Posted by: zzx375 at March 13, 2004 at 10:27 PM"Too many in the anti-war crowd.........in their sick minds"
"Some top officials in the Socialist Party.........are on record saying the government is hiding information about the terrorist acts, This is really sickening "
I'm repeating this. I know I'm speaking to the deaf. But did anyone ever consider that many of those who died may have been anti-war. Does that mean that they too were sick. Would that lessen in any way the tragedy of their death.
In order to be against terrorism is it necessary to believe 100% of the time that Aznar is being 100% up front with information?
Can you be against Aznar, and still an anti-terrorist? Can you say that this man, when he says we British are simply protecting drug dealers and mafia in Gibraltar, is a liar and still be anti terrorist? Or are we too sick in the head?
Are you saying the same about the Prestige? I mean has Huxley's brave new world already arrived in Spain, or can we believe we have an inadequate government and still be against Al Qaeda?
Or do you have to join a special club to be allowed to fight against them without being told you are sick in the head?
BTW Michael Moore lets you get off too easily. What he is saying is patently absurd.The real problem is why do you feel able to be so abusive to other Spanish people at such a difficult time.
There is a difference between saying that someone is not coming clean, and saying they are sick in the head. In a normal democracy people can recognise this.
Posted by: Edward Hugh at March 13, 2004 at 11:38 PMI'm arming up to kill all Liberals. We know who they are. It's time to rid ourselves of vermin.
Posted by: Joe Peden at March 14, 2004 at 12:40 AMMy deepest sympathies to all involved. I hope the Spaniards can bring these creatures to account very swiftly.
Posted by: The Sanity Inspector at March 14, 2004 at 02:31 AMSettle down, Joe. That's just what they need now - a right-wing terrorist gunning them down. They'd get a lot of milage out of that. Six suggestions: vote, donate, vote again, donate some more, make sure to vote, give some money to a good cause. And lastly: stay sane.
Posted by: Yngwie at March 14, 2004 at 02:40 AMWords cannot express how deeply sorry I am for the victims'friends and families and for the entire country of Spain. Nothing I can say or do can ease the pain, I know - only time can do that - but I will pray for you. May God bless the people of Spain and may God bless your beautiful country.
Posted by: Kate Andrews at March 14, 2004 at 03:09 AM'Root causes' are an unacceptable excuse for human behaviour. We, as humans, have the capacity of reason; we are not machines reacting blindly to various 'causes'. We, as individuals, make deliberate choices. Terrorism is a choice; wherein you choose to kill and harm innocent civilians. We must hold terrorists of any kind accountable for their choices. All excuses - whether the so-called sociological root causes, or retaliation for government actions, or political ideologies of 'our freedom' - none of these are acceptable reasons for the 'choice' to kill innocent civilians.
My sympathies to the people of Spain. I think that more and more, people have to reject general causes and simply focus on holding individuals responsible for their choices.
Alternative Proposal
1. Find out who did this.
2. Make sure.
3. Kill them.
4. Locate and eigther kill or double their financiers.
5. Locate and eigther kill or double their recruiters/logistics type people.
6. Identify, Isolate, Destroy their state sponsers.
Golan and Franco Alemán, my deepest sympathies to the people of Spain - and my heartfelt wishes for strength to the families of the victims and the injured - for it is them that will have to live with this hell of a trauma for the rest of their lifes. I suppose it is right to say that they too have been killed a little bit.
Posted by: Tsedek - Israel at March 14, 2004 at 05:17 AMPrime Minister Aznar just said “beyond this initial speculation, no society can accept that there may be explainable and unexplainable terrorisms. There are no nuances between religious and ethnic fanaticism, only nuances in their excuses. This is what we are confronting”.
YEAH, LET'S APPLY THAT EVERYWHERE....
Saludos de Bolivia! Mi corazon siempre esta con los de España. Ahora mas que nunca.
Posted by: miguel at March 14, 2004 at 05:40 AMInnocent people were murdered during 9/11 in US, on a regular basis during terror acts in Israel, now on 3/11 in Spain. The one thing in common: they all were fighting Muslim extremism. I strongly believe that Muslim religion and terror go hand in hand together. I also find it sick when people blame this attack in Spain on the govt. because it was US' ally. There is no place for terrorism in the world. If ETA were involved, they would probably take the blame: they've done it before. Why scare somebody and deny it afterwards. Arabic letters also prove this theory. My condolences go out to all the victims and their families. It is time for the world to open their eyes and fight this terror.
Posted by: Tasha at March 14, 2004 at 06:13 AMThe world is smaller and smaller, and is shrinking due to the many benefits of civilization.
Don't cheer too much. It also benefits the terrorists, and allows people from the other side of the world to bomb your local train.
Posted by: Andrew Hagen at March 14, 2004 at 07:10 AMTasha is right. Islamists are the enemy. Their murderous actions in Spain and across the world only unite the West and freedom loving people of the world. It is GOOD vs Evil folks. Believe it,have faith and destroy the evil. Don't appease them because they will kill you regardless. We feel your pain and pray for you.
Posted by: Paul in Pa at March 14, 2004 at 08:07 AMSending our deepest sympathy and prayers to the people of Spain. May God bless you and comfort you in the aftermath of this unspeakable evil.
Kathy & family (USA)
Consider this: An American in Europe just recommended his predominantly American readership visit an Australian's website to read a post from some citizens of Spain.
An Austrailian's website run by a woman in Florida and actually physically hosted WHOIS knows where. The mind boggles.
Posted by: Matt Moore at March 14, 2004 at 10:54 AMMy sympathies also to the people of Spain. Our hearts are broken, now, every week. Last week, nearly two hundred were killed by terrorist bombs in Karbala and Kadhimiya. Three hundred died at the hands of terrorists in Iraq in February. Are we not all Iraqis?
Posted by: Jody at March 14, 2004 at 12:10 PMYngwie, you let lablels tell you what to do. I simply decide what to do. Anyone trying to prove I am "right wing" will easily lose the battle. Do I have to prove it for you? I will, if you want. I know you are good. Liberals are not good.
Posted by: Joe Peden at March 14, 2004 at 12:23 PMAs much as I empathize with the victims in Spain, I can't help but forget that Spain's govt' and people have always been overwhelmingly supportive of Arab terror vs Israel. And my gut reaction is that they'll be even more so now.
Posted by: Joseph at March 14, 2004 at 02:44 PMWell, just reported on FOX and they're reporting that many of those who took to the streets were blaming Aznar and his support of the US actions in Iraq. How can you reason with people who's first inclination is to blame those JOOOOs and the US for all evil in the world? I doubt if even this bombing will teach the left a lesson.
O YOU WHO BELIEVE! DO NOT TAKE THE JEWS AND THE CHRISTIANS FOR FRIENDS; THEY ARE FRIENDS OF EACH OTHER; AND WHOEVER AMONGST YOU TAKES THEM FOR A FRIEND, THEN SURELY HE IS ONE OF THEM; SURELY ALLAH DOES NOT GUIDE THE UNJUST PEOPLE. (5:49-51)
When the sacred months have passed away, THEN SLAY THE IDOLATERS WHEREVER YOU FIND THEM, AND TAKE THEM CAPTIVES AND BESIEGE THEM AND LIE IN WAIT FOR THEM IN EVERY AMBUSH, then if they repent and keep up prayer [become believers] and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them (9:5)
FIGHT THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN ALLAH, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Messenger have prohibited, NOR FOLLOW THE RELIGION OF TRUTH, OUT OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE BOOK [Christians and Jews], until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and THEY ARE IN A STATE OF SUBJECTION. (9:29)
Yep, sound like people who can be reasonable. You might be thinking..well, the bible has similar quotations in it right? Maybe so, but sane people just roll their eyes and wait for Robertson, Falwell to shut the fuck up when they make idiotic comments. Not these people.
My condolences to all the victims, their families and all of Spain.
"Terrorism is a cancer on the world. If only it could be cured"
It will be cured when all who support or promote this cancer are dragged into the streets and killed like the vermin they are. May justice be swift and God's speed to all coalition troops on the hunt.
Posted by: Shawn at March 14, 2004 at 09:52 PMDisgusted, that some people already want to blame President Bush and Aznar for this via the war on terror. This is exactly the response the terrorist wanted to elicit. Do that an they win. My condolences for the innocent men, women and children that where killed in this horrible act. May justice be swift.
Posted by: Vashner at March 15, 2004 at 12:36 AMMy prayers go to the victims and their families.
Someone said a long time ago "Beware of false prophets".
The people of America stand with the people of Spain in your time of need. If anyone knows of any reputable charity collecting donations to help the families please let me know.
There is only one way to deal with terrorists and that is to kill them. The nations of the West and anyone else who desires liberty must unite and defeat this scurge.
Posted by: Karen at March 16, 2004 at 04:13 AMMy country sends its deepest sympathies for this tragic attack. As an ally of Spain, many of us are deeply concerned about the recent election. I say this to the people of Spain - Did the appeasement of Nazi Germany stop war? No, it only emboldened them.
What type of message do you send to the terrorists of the world - when you are prepared to turn and run. This war was forced upon America with 9/11. It is now forced upon Spain with 3/11.
I suppose the terrorist goal of reconquering the Iberian peninsula is one step closer to fruition.
Posted by: Shane Johnston at March 16, 2004 at 04:53 AMUnfortunately, judging by the Spanish electorate's reaction, it turns out they deserved 3/11 - speaking for all Americans, my only wish is that the death toll had been much much higher. To Spanish voters, enjoy your new lives under the heel of your islamofascist overlords. Spain voting in support of fascists? We've never seen anything like that before...
While we have enjoyed your culture's brief visits to western civilization, don't let the door hit your ass on the way out you gutless, cowardly scum.
Posted by: Chris D at March 16, 2004 at 07:54 AMChris D, go find a hole and crawl into it, and don't let the rest of humanity suffer YOU any longer.
While I think the Spaniards have made a collosal mistake in capitulating to the terrorists, I fear for their safety. But your reaction was totally uncalled for. You should be ashamed of yourself.
To the Spaniards: There's always one bad apple in every bunch.
Please accept our most sincere condolences in your tragedy.
Posted by: Dorothy at March 16, 2004 at 09:00 AMDorothy,
Sorry to have offended your sensibilities, but hundreds of millions of good people were slaughtered last century as a result of the same cowardly and unprincipled response to agression from murderous thugs cut from the same cloth as the bombers. The Spanish people's spineless, amoral reaction may seem only a sin of omission, but it is the precisely the same specie of offense that has killed so many. The blood of every terror victim who dies as a natural result of the encouragement their gallic-inspired surrender to the islamofascists inspires is on their yellow, flaccid hands.
There's no room in the civilized world for traitors who stab allies in the back and appease barbarians in the hope they will wait to kill them last as the Spaniards have done. The best we can hope is that they and only they will reap the terror and bloodletting their cowardice has certainly sown.
They have endanged my life and the lives of my family with their yellow treachery. Forgive me for finding no place in my heart to wish them well for that 'gift.'
At least al Qaeda never pretended to be an ally. In a sick way, that makes their barbaric ethic somehow more honorable than Spain's.
Chris, I understand the fact that you're madder than hell, but wishing
that more had died is equivalent to the palis dancing in the streets at 9/11.
It doesn't do you or me any good, and I'll have to remove myself from the 'all Americans' that you speak for.
If, on the other hand, you want to argue against the 50% of the population that
took Spain out of the fight, then you can speak for me and I'll agree.