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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: zeta1961 who wrote (35799)	3/20/2004 3:35:23 PM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793926

American Thinker - Blair and Bush – Stronger at the End of a Spanish Week March 19th, 2004 Recent events across the world may have inadvertently strengthened Blair’s and Bush’s hand. Whatever one may think of the Iraq War; any intellectually honest person has to admire the two leaders’ staying power and strength of will. As some of the Western media are blathering about the Coalition’s house falling down, Blair and Bush are relentlessly driving on with what they know is the essential objective: get Iraq back on its feet. At first, it was natural to perceive events in Spain as harmful to the Coalition and the war on terror. While there can be no doubt that Spain’s capitulation will increase the likelihood of another bomb attack in Europe, there are positive ramifications which arise from the sheep-like behavior of the Spaniards, and their new Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. Those Spanish voters, who under the influence of some form of group psychosis, stopped thinking clearly as they cast their votes, will one day look back in shame. It was almost as if -- suffering the anguish and shock of the terrorist attacks -- they could not step outside of that emotional environment, and see themselves and their moment of decision with objective clarity. They performed this act for us, on our television sets, on the radio and across the internet. Of course, for the rest of us; the lesson learned could not be more poignant. The Spanish showed us exactly what not to do when Al-Qaeda surely comes knocking again. For that, at least, we can thank them. Perhaps gratitude should also be showered on the accidental Zapatero. Give him a round of applause because his defeatist words and actions, have only increased the admiration many of us have for the leaders of the Coalition. The contrast in strength of character between Senor Zapatero and either Blair or Bush could not be sharper. They -- unlike him -- have some “cojones”, as the Spanish would say. Another more positive outcome from Spain’s defeat was that the Australians, Danes, Poles, and a few other Coalition members were so disgusted by Zapatero that they stepped up to the plate and categorically pledged to stand firm with Blair and Bush. They will not abandon their friends. I believe them. There was further good news delivered to the Coalition’s camp as the week proceeded. In a poll conducted by Oxford Research International, of 2500 Iraqis questioned, 56% said that conditions were better now than they had been before the war, and 70% of Iraqis said that things were going well or quite well in their lives. After only one year of reconstructing a broken and directionless country, these are promising results. Not surprisingly, data like this will be selectively ignored by the usual suspects in the Western media. The last thing they want is some good news. They’d have to rewrite their template headlines. The war on terrorism goes on, as it will continue to go on until Al-Qaeda is vanquished. Last week was only a bitter reminder that the old enemy can rear its ugly head anywhere and at anytime. Justice will be delivered for the victims of Madrid – with or without - the Spanish by our side. Michael Morris

To: zeta1961 who wrote (35799)	3/20/2004 4:07:15 PM
From: zeta1961	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793926

<<But the country is today politically healthier than it was just a few days ago. Mr. Aznar has enjoyed a good press abroad, but over eighy years he had poisoned the air to an enormous extent, exploiting fear, and stigmatizing Catalan and Basques as ‘terrorism sympathizers’. It was an electoral strategy, to divide and conquer.>>> The whole article frosts me...but the above in particular...I've been to Spain throughout Aznar's tenure...there was no poison in the air, nobody except for ETA and socialists who'd lost respect from the ordinary citizens...The Spaniards were quite happy with their growing affluence and standard of living...Even amongst the people of Barcelona where I spent my time during my last trip(2002)...there was no pejorative talk about Aznar...granted, I did not seek the company of the socialist movers and shakers... This article is not speaking for the general Spanish population...it's speaking for that small group of socialists who wanted POWER for themselves...and they too should be indicted for their manipulation of the hearts of their people during a time of profound vulnerability... I received an email from one of my friends who is a young physcian from Barcelona. She voted for Zapatero because "of the Aznar lies"..."unwilling to listen to the people"...she's not been in the real world enough time...never has traveled beyond Spain(as is true for many Spaniards except for the elite upper class)...so I can give her slack because of her reliance on the media to inform her with the truth...all I could do was respond with empathy and tell her I hoped that we as a world united can deal with terrorism...I didn't have the heart to criticize in even the most subtle way a person who is actively grieving and having to live with the choices she made...

To: zeta1961 who wrote (35799)	3/20/2004 6:12:19 PM
From: Nadine Carroll	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 793926

The only killers are the ones who put the bombs, but Mr. Aznar can not possibly evade his political resposability. Washington can talk about the psychological impact of 11-S, Blair can talk about the ‘special relationship’ between London and Washington, but Spain didn’t get anything out of being in the front line of war against islamic terrorism Note how the writer still speaks as if Spain has a choice whether to be involved in the War on Terror or not. That's an excercise in denial. Spain can fight, or try to appease, or withdraw to a corner and look like appeasers. But uninvolvment is not an option. Al Qaeda has already decided that much.