Spain Rejoins Paris-Berlin Alliance (Axis of Weasels Update!)

The Australian ^ | March 17, 2004 | AFP wire

[threat matrix]

Spain's new Prime Minister wasted no time yesterday shaking up the European political landscape, putting Madrid back in the Franco-German camp and urging a swift adoption of the stalled Eurpoean constitution.

The election poll was held three days after the Madrid train bombings, in which 201 people died.

Voter anger at the Aznar government's blaming of local separatist group ETA, despite evidence that Islamic terrorist were responsible.

Mr. Aznar's departure is a blow to British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

One of Mr. Zapatero's senior lieutenants, Jose Bono, recently called the British Prime Minister a 'gilipollas' which can be translated as 'd*ckhead.'

[threat matrix]

'Asta la vista' if they ever need something again..

[Jewels1091]

Well, let's hope that Spain doesn't need any help in the near future...they have insulted everyone BUT france and Germany.

[rhombus]

These Spanish Socialists seem a little out of their league and clueless. One suspects they never actually expected to win. When's the next election?

[CasearianDaoist]

It really remains to be seen what happens here. The Socialists had said that they would stick to the bargaining position of Aznar on the issue of vote allotments in that came up in the last go round of the EU Constitution negotiations. They appear to have deceived the electorate and the voters may not be too happy about it. There may be substantial political pressure put on them at home for it is a real bread and butter issue that has little to do with the USA.

[Dog Gone]

This is no surprise. The European Constitution is a very socialist document.

Hopefully, Poland will continue to hold out.

[threat matrix]

[cripplecreek]

The party will come to a screeching halt when a new list of demands comes due from the terrorists.

I have yet to see a bully running away from a victim cowering in fear.

[Berliner Baer]

Hopefully, Poland will continue to hold out.

If Poland remains to be stubborn, then there will be a EU of two levels - Poland with less access to certain things.

The EU-constitution already guarantuees Poland much more influence than their population-size suggests (and large countries like Germany get less voting power in relation to their size), but Poland are still not satisfied with it and want more.

Re: Spain: The socialist guy will soon wake up to the realities of international politics and moderate his tone. He is new in this and doesn't yet fully realize the impact of his words.

[RS]

"These Spanish Socialists seem a little out of their league and clueless. One suspects they never actually expected to win. When's the next election?"

I think you've got that right -

I am surprised at the number of people on FR ready to toss Spain over the side for a little temporary maddness. They don't seem to recall that we gave the world the Clintons who got us all into a lot of this mess.

[conservativecorner]

The germans, frogs and spanish no longer exist in my mind, and the president would be wise to now play hardball with the weasels.

[sheik yerbouty]

"The Pact of Brie"

[threat matrix]

This would be a great cmapign issue to contrast Kerry groveling to the socialist Spanish PM with President Bush shunning hin on the international stage.

[Berliner Baer]

the germans, frogs and spanish no longer exist in my mind, and the president would be wise to now play hardball with the weasels.

One advantage of having a EU: If some country makes uni-lateral trade-punishments like against France, the entire EU will react to this by some sort of retalitatory measure against the US-trade. One for all, all for one.

[blackdog]

When was Franco the dictator in Spain? Wasn't he a socialist/Marxist? Didn't Chevy Chase tell me repeatedly that he was dead?

Why is history repeating itself on an ever shorter cycle in a world that assembles the record on an instant basis?

Seems like people were smarter when the informational age was nowhere in sight.

[Reagan Man]

The United States may have the support from many governments in the war on terrorism, but there are few "citizenries" of those nations that actually stand with their leaders and at the side of America. Aside from Great Britain, where the people's support ranges between a small majority and a plurality, the US is fighting the WoT without the moral support of the free world.

It's a shame, but that's what the Bush administration has been facing for the better part of the last 2-1/2 years. The Euro-socialists have no intention of making anymore waves that might bring the wrath of the terrorists down on their heads.

[threat matrix]

God bless Poland for stepping in to fill Spains shoes.

[rhombus]

I am surprised at the number of people on FR ready to toss Spain over the side for a little temporary maddness. They don't seem to recall that we gave the world the Clintons who got us all into a lot of this mess.

Good point about the Clintons (who the world loved by the way) -- Freepers never forget their dastardly deeds. It is hoped that Spain will get a grip over its fear. In a strange sort of way, Spain's capitulation puts terrorism back to the forefront which is a good thing for a complacent America facing a complacent election.

[Travis McGee]

Spain has ALWAYS been two countries. Remember, they had a bitter and bloody civil war between left and right in living memory. So keep the "right" in your prayers and hopes, and remember that their military is "all right."

[blackdog]

If you've ever travelled to Poland you'll never again make a standard "Polish joke". Aside from a strong consumption of alchohol, the Polish people are something special.

As to just what caused their culture to be the brunt of uninformed ribbing is beyond me? Maybe it was just due to the Hitler treaty/invasion mess.

[Rutles4Ever]

What's really sad about all of this is that nearly half the population of Spain, DIDN'T want this guy elected. We're putting a blanket of disparage on the Spaniards, but we have to remember that millions support the U.S. war on terror, and did NOT want to give al Qaeda a victory.

I think we need to note the difference. France and Germany are overwhelmingly against the U.S. Spain is decidedly SPLIT....

It's akin to disparaging all of America for electing Bill Clinton twice.