The Sheila Variations

I can't even handle reading about it anymore, with all of the wires and the BBC News (sic) using words like "armed struggle". Notice, the ETA are not "terrorist shitheads", but "separatists". I've given up on looking for any more information, for fear that I might actually read somebody describing them as "freedom fighters". I might take up the gun myself if I do.

Coordinated blowing up of TRAIN STATIONS on the eve of an election ... Jesus.

I don't care WHAT you think you are, I don't care WHAT you think your goals are, or how elevated your rhetoric may be - You're a fucking terrorist.

I mean, not you, Emily.

I was talking to one of the so-called "separatists".

Train stations during RUSH HOUR, let's not forget - i.e. let's kill as many civilians as possible.

They have shown nothing but contempt for democracy, freedom and indeed, human kind.

I. HATE. TEHM.

Er...THEM!

It's evil. It's heartless. I hate them too.

ETA? or al-Qaeda-supported ETA? or just al Qaeda? If it was ETA acting alone, this is a major escalation for them.

Whether you call it armed struggle or terrorism, it's definitely 4th generation war.

They are speculating that it is not ETA alone, because they have never pulled off anything this coordinated and organized.

That was my immediate reaction, but I haven't looked at it. This smells a lot like al Qaeda - multiple simultaneous explosions calculated for maximum casualties - it's the al Qaeda "signature". ETA has never done anything like this before.

It a tough call. Hasn't ETA avoided high casualties in the past? So the question is, is this an escalation for them, using the world's focus on arab terrorism as a cover? Or are they uninvolved and blamed moslty because they are the manor terrorists operationg in Spain.

Either way, they are and were terrorists, still this is a major escalation for ETA, if they were responsible.

Those spineless wimps at the BBC, "armed struggle" against who? Commuters?

I wouldn't agree with their cause, but I could respect them as irregular soldiers if they were taking up arms against the Spanish military and government officials, they're the instruments of national policy. But to target men and women on their way to work? Barbarians.

My guess is that ETA is involved - they have not always been shy about civilian casualties - but they had help in the form of logistics, finances, and demolitions expertise from al Qaeda. Al Qaeda has been targeting "3rd party" nations that supported the US-led coalition in Iraq, because the US is a hard target. Spain is a terrorist-friendly, soft target - ETA already had the underground infrastructure to host "guest terrorists" - and they were prominent supporters of the war in Iraq.

Oh God, Sheila, that last photo you linked to hurt.

Terrible. It's the lead on Yahoo News right now. Those poor people.

I don't know what to say when I see that picture, but my hands are shaking slightly in anger. Who aims at people whose sole crime is trying to go to work in the morning? For 25 years, my father got on the train here bound for Hoboken. What kind of person would target someone like him? What kind of animals are we dealing with?

I vote al-Qaeda supported ETAniks as well (possibly the hardest of the hard core on a "lone ranger--we'll show you who's committed to the cause" operation).

Bastards.

I will never understand how human beings can do such evil.

Just in:

Sky News reported this afternoon that an Arab-language tape with "Koranic verses" was found in a truck along with bomb detonators near Madrid, according to the Spanish Interior Minister. This report is very similar to the arrest 29 Feb of two ETA terrorists driving a van with over 500 kgs of explosives, also near Madrid (from Reuters). (also posted at Jane's)

Fox News just reported that Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility. Saw it on Command Post - no link yet.

"Operation Death Trains"- we all know the conotation that has, especially in Europe.

Sick.

Wait on it, folks. We don't know enough about this to lay blame yet. Of course, that won't matter- ETA, if they really DIDN'T plant those bombs, is still just as doomed as whoever did. This was Spain's September 11th.* When Spain's government starts whipping out the big hammer, they aren't exactly going to limit the crunch to 'just THESE terrorists'.
And, with any degree of luck (and a little brains in Washington), American SF and intel sources will be helping them do it. Spain has stood by us- time to return the favor.

* In fact, unless I forgot something, this is the biggest Terrorist attack SINCE 9-11.

Dave P -

Yes. We certainly must return the favor.

No updates yet. Searching about.

And I believe that it is the largest terrorist attack since Sept. 11. Not to mentnion the most well-organized.

Right now, it seems as if ETA isn't responsible. But you're right Dave, they're just as doomed.

This will probably wind up being worse than the Bali bombing, and I'm willing to help Spain in any way they need.

Still think it was a joint effort - the proximity to the Spanish election is a big thing to ETA and means nothing to aQ, ETA has been caught planning to mount this exact attack twice in the last three months (24 Dec and 29 Feb), and the Spanish authorities were saying they had "unspecified" evidence linking ETA earlier in the day. But the tactics and the scale was pure aQ - and very similar to the Turkish attacks, also claimed by Abu Hafs.

CW- Most of the terrorist organizations do in fact talk to each other, share contacts and sources of funding, aid each other in border crossings, et cetera. Witness the IRA's links to the narcoterrorists in Columbia and various links between Hamas and Hezbollah. I still say it's way too early to accurately lay blame, but I wouldn't discount the possibility that even if the ETA wasn't directly involved, the people who did got assistance from them somewhere along the line. Safe houses, documents, Semtex or detonators... maybe they didn't even know what it was for.
In the end, it won't matter. The spirit of the men who held the Alcazar and who fought at Madrid is still strong in Spain. They will make bad enemies.

Well Mr. Big Bad Bush? Where the heck are ya? Whatcha doin' these days? Campaignin' a little are ya? Shootin' down the gays are ya? Find any more holes with nasty, pointy weapons, did ya?

Bush.....empty and hollow as usual.

Sheila--Forgive me, but---

Alex-You are a sad, sick little bastard.

I admit when I saw Alex's comment I winced - because I do not hold her views.

But I have to say, she's a friend of mine, and she is not a sick bastard.

I hate this shit. I don't want people to fight on my blog. I'm such a Pollyanna. But whatever.

I have friends with all different kinds of viewpoints. Some agree with me, some obviously do not. I can't defend their views, because it's not my place to defend them. They're big people and they can take care of themselves.

Woops. I started something. Sorry Shelia, didn't mean to. I was so upset about what happened I didn't know what the heck I was writing. I got facts wrong, and turned my comment upside down. I'm in full agreement with you and the rest of the posters. I blame myself for getting way too upset way too early and not having my damn head screwed on straight. I wanted to blame someone for what happened in the bombing, and I couldn't think of what else to do. I felt like a little kid running around the kitchen lookng for something sharp. I was a mess.

Again....I apologize. Your posters were right. I was a bastard.