Grieving Spain Ousts Ruling Party [Appeasement Back In Vogue]

The Boston Globe ^ | 3/15/2004 | Charles M. Sennott

[johnny7]

MADRID -- Spanish voters, many of them outraged at what they saw as government attempts to play politics with the terrorist train bombings last Thursday, handed the Socialist Party a dramatic upset victory yesterday over the Popular Party of Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, a staunch US ally in the war in Iraq. Many voters also expressed fury that the incumbent Popular Party had, they felt, made Spain a target for Al Qaeda by backing the US-led war in Iraq even though more than 90 percent of Spain was opposed to the invasion.

[johnny7]

Confronted with a diabolical threat, Europe will cling to appeasement like a baby clings to its favorite blanket. Spain is no different than France or Belgium in this inherent behavior. If Italy is targeted the outcome will also be the same. Ditto Germany. Are these are the 'wise' allies whom John Kerry boasts of being on his side?

[livius]

Prodi is already making noises about how the entire EU is back together again now, wishing to show that "violence is not the answer to terrorism." Evidently, appeasement is. Hope his wife likes her new burka.

[Russ]

Following up on this huge success, I see Al Qaeda trying a similar act here sometime around October 30 or 31. I'm not so sure that the 10 or 15% undecided voter would not be swayed by an act of terrorism into voting for Kerry. The constant criticism and bias news coverage from the media is slowly ripping the heart out of America. One huge terrorist attack could finish the job.

[Gaetano]

I would not put Italy on this list. Berlusconi is a solid ally in the War on Terror, and he is not up for election for a few years. When some 30 italian soldiers were massacred by AQ in Nassirya, this generation of italians stood firm.

[dfwgator]

they felt, made Spain a target for Al Qaeda by backing the US-led war in Iraq

But...but...I thought there was no link between Iraq and Al-Qaeda. Why would Al-Qaeda attack Spain for supporting the war on Iraq?

[Unam Sanctam]

"It's the vote of fear, and I guess Al Qaeda wins the vote. It's very sad, but Al Qaeda wins," said Ignacio de Jorge, 34, a Philip Morris corporate employee who voted for the Socialist Party.

So why did he vote for the appeasers?

[samtheman]

But...but...I thought there was no link between Iraq and Al-Qaeda. Why would Al-Qaeda attack Spain for supporting the war on Iraq?

Ask John Kerry. He'll flip-flop an answer to your question.

[LibLieSlayer]

We should make Spain pay dearly for this "capitulation" to the enemy. We should leave them financially, and start a movement to remove them from NATO.

They may just find themselves walled in by Western Europe. These actions by a spineless majority in Spain have far deeper consequences that one might think (at first glance). They will rue the day that they surrendered, maybe sooner than they realize.

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

"Minority of voters". Sorry for the typo.

LLS

[reg45]

Al Qaeda and the other Islamofascists will not be satisfied until Spain becomes an Islamic country as it was before Ferdinand and Isabella.

[Poohbah]

We should make Spain pay dearly for this "capitulation" to the enemy. We should leave them financially, and start a movement to remove them from NATO.

OK, that means we lose basing rights at Rota and Torrejon. Got another location handy that can take up the slack?

They may just find themselves walled in by Western Europe.

Actually, we may find ourselves ejected from NATO.

These actions by a spineless majority in Spain have far deeper consequences that one might think (at first glance). They will rue the day that they surrendered, maybe sooner than they realize.

This vote was over a year in coming: 90% of Spain opposed participation in liberating Iraq. In a democracy, a government cannot sustain itself against the wishes of the people. Period.

[Poohbah]

Following up on this huge success, I see Al Qaeda trying a similar act here sometime around October 30 or 31. I'm not so sure that the 10 or 15% undecided voter would not be swayed by an act of terrorism into voting for Kerry. The constant criticism and bias news coverage from the media is slowly ripping the heart out of America. One huge terrorist attack could finish the job.

I don't think it would work: Kerry would be too likely to obviously play it for political gain, and the public would likely throw up.

By late October, I think the public will be heartily sick of John F***in' Kerry talking down to them.

[Dane]

The idea that the fear of more bombings may have propelled voters on the left to push Aznar out of power was shared by voters on both the right and left. "It's the vote of fear, and I guess Al Qaeda wins the vote. It's very sad, but Al Qaeda wins," said Ignacio de Jorge, 34, a Philip Morris corporate employee who voted for the Socialist Party.

Right there, the Spanish and western European mindset. Surrender to the terrorists.

[dfwgator]

Aznar deserves a lot of disdain as well. He went wobbly when it counted the most, he knew it was Al-Qaeda all along, and instead of defying them, he wimped out and played the ETA card. I say good riddance (but it still sucks he lost).

[mewzilla]

Leave it to the Boston Globe to shill for the appeasers.

[Russ]

I pray you are right. I just can't underestimate the ignorance of that 10% swing voter who can't even make up their mind on who to vote for until the last few days. To have the future of this nation in their hands is frightening.

[Poohbah]

I pray you are right. I just can't underestimate the ignorance of that 10% swing voter who can't even make up their mind on who to vote for until the last few days. To have the future of this nation in their hands is frightening.

Clinton didn't talk down to people in that condescending way Kerry does.

[johnny7]

In a democracy, a government cannot sustain itself against the wishes of the people.

Except in Massachusetts. Otherwise I totally agree with you.

It's best that the Spanish have shown their 'true colors' now rather than later.

[maestro]

666

[TMSuchman]

You can not apease[sp] evil; you must face it, and fight it with every fibre of you being. Evil flourishes when good men do nothing. Now is the time for all good men to rally to the cause !