THE PRICE OF COURAGE

New York Post ^ | 3/12/04 | RALPH PETERS

[kattracks]

March 12, 2004 -- YESTERDAY, terrorists took the lives of almost 200 Spanish civilians, wounding perhaps 1,400 more. Ten coordinated explosions struck three morning commuter trains entering Madrid.

It happened on the 21/2-year anniversary of the attacks on Manhattan and Washington - 30 months to the day. The symbolism was intentional.

[livius]

Good article! One thing he doesn't mention, however, is that Spain really took off only when the PP government got into power. The Socialist government that took over after the death of Franco essentially simply continued the stagnant, protectionist socialism of Franco's Spain, and it was only with the economic liberalization brought by the PP, the appropriate use of the EU (not as a prop, but as an a stimulus) and the gradual attempts to de-bureaucratize Spanish life that Spain really took off.

This is one of the reasons for the sullen resentment of the "Spanish street," namely, that the Socialists are extremely peeved that Spain is doing so well now, and are using their media allies to discredit Spain's success and its new role in international affairs.

[tkathy]

I wonder how much celebration is going on in American and Canadian mosques.

[William McKinley]

We are all Spaniards today.

Except for John Kerry- he's French.

[kattracks]

We are all Spaniards today.

So very true. It's like reliving the sorrow of 9/11.

[wayoverontheright]

Now we need the cowboy.

Bush should declare "OK, al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility once again for the death of innocents. A change in policy is in order. We will no longer attempt to spare innocents who harbor the criminals, and a dire conflagration will soon befall the entire territory where we know them to be. We suggest that those who surround them root them out themselves, or we will answer, this time with a punitive and retaliatory character attached to out actions. It is sad that more innocents must die, but that is the position al-Qaeda has put us in, and we will move forward unapologetically."

[Coop]

My sincere condolences and prayers being sent to our friends in Spain.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Joining you in prayer for our Spanish allies.

8 Days of Mourning in Spain as Investigation Begins

[Coop]

Bump