The Sheila Variations

mi gente. i am proud of them today.

OMG. I am really sorry for them today.

We of the civilized world are all in this together. I hope all of us (specifically those in power) do something about it.

Rebecca- I think they are doing their best to show the people who seek to achieve their political ends by murderng civilians that all it will gain them is death and destruction. Unfortunately, the lesson will take a long time to be learned.

I hope the people responsible for this are found quickly.

Hello

I'm just a visitor via instapundit. That is some picture. Looks like the whole country is out in the street. Thanks for sharing.

Well Bye.

We are all Spaniards on that day.

Raises a beverage to salute the people of spain.

Hmmm, how many of these marchers were protesting the US actions on the war against terrorism a few months back?

Hey, that's my city, Zaragoza! (population near 700,000; 425,000 at the march by the police's reckoning). What you can see here is but a small part of the whole thing.

Thank you all.

Russ, many of them were, but not so many. I certainly was not. Even, sadly, some of them protested too _Spain_'s actions against terrorism, right yesterday.

I hope that the people who did this awful thing got the message. God bless the victims and their families.

Shame the spaniards are not so vocal when Jews are murdered in israel.
The calls of death to jews were heard not so long ago in madrid.
I should be crying for Spain, but I am not a hipocryte.
Terror is terror, even when it kills innocent jews.
I am a catholic from Sweden, yet, I am revulsed by the support Spanish people and Euopeans give to Arafat.
Let's hope people in Spain and in Europe take time to think hard about TERROR.
I may sound cruel, but, the crying of my Europeen compatriots leave me cold.
Kristian Hovborg.
Sweden.

Hi,
I am so sad of Madrid events. But Spana is lucky because we hear its sound via media.

But in many countries this is not the case. Do you know in Africa there is a country called Rwanda? In 1995,about 500000 were killed in there but without any echo in the world as like as Madrid events.

Dear freinds,
Let's think about these tragedies and find the roots of them in all the world.

With the best wishes for Spana,
Bob

I'm sorry for the Spanish people. However, I agree with Kristian. Where has Europe been?

Yes, the government of Spain supported the war on terror, but the people were unmoved by women dressed as suicide bombers in Madrid as recently as a year ago.

http://www.instapundit.com/archives/014585.php

France's illogical obstinancy with the U.S. has lead the European people down this path. The continent should have been with the U.S., Spain, Poland, and England long ago.

Spain may not be perfect, but none of my friends are. I am sorry and horrified with them. It makes no difference if recently they were wrong (about Israel, and war-protests, and who knows what else). Sometimes people don't know, or think about things, the same way other people do. But, everyone grows and changes through experiences. Yet, I would not wish this way of learning about terrorists on my worst enemy. To see cherished innocents massacred in his homeland. And I most emphatically do NOT consider Spain to be "my worst enemy". Spain may not be perfect, but none of my friends are.

US needed to grow up and realize it was part of a larger conflict. Sept. 11 was that wake-up call. For many of us, it was a very quick learning curve.

Can we possibly give Spain that room, too?

Jesus.

Sean, Kristian: there are people like those in the USA too, an even in Israel; they call themselves "pacifists". Can you seriously imply that there are not, that "anti-war", "pro-Arab" and "pro-Palestinian" demonstrations are unheard of in the USA?

Gimme a break.

Even we Israelis feel for you
now you must remember how we feel

What is sick is that this will enevitably make the hearts of the militant fanatics quicken. Some may never be reached and feel the sympathy and saddness that the softened heart posseses. The secular fanatic will side with the courts, ie law, to give the guilty another chance. As a Christian I know how and when and for how long to harden my heart. I am not often angered, but I am angry again. I am not sure how to fight this fight but it must be fought at all costs. Get behind those who get behind anti-terrorism. Elect them to office. Spend the money needed to stop this pointless waste of innocence. b good b safe
bk

One of my major pet peeves is people who make statements with an implied conclusion because actually speaking the conclusion makes their statement absurd. Take this one from Kristian:

Marzo, I am not living in America, but living in Europe and seeing million of so called pacifists screaming their vile anti.israel and anti.jewish venom makes me mad, they claim to be anti war and terror , yet, have no qualms about brandishing their posters depicting the jews as nazis.

How about we add the conclusion to that. Speak that sentence and then follow it up with "...and therefore 200 innocent people deserved to be bombed while they rode the subway home from work the other day." Sounds pretty fucking stupid, doesn't it? That's because it is. And that's why they only implied the conclusion and didn't come right out and say it.

It took a fair amount of courage for all these people to turn out...every one of them must have been worried, at some level, about the danger of another terrorist attack.

Is that Zaragoza? I lived there when I was a kid. It was a beautiful place, with lovely, welcoming people.

I am so proud of them today.

Hi, Emily. Did your folks happen to be USAF? A then-friend of mine worked at "la base americana".

>I do not know many europeans who feel grieved when innocent Israelis get blown up by Palestinians.

Kristian, now you know one more. I grieve for innocent Israelis; I did before 11-M; I did before 9-11. We are not many, and we are far apart; but there are indeed some of us.

"Pacifists" everywhere "understand" Palestinian terrorist acts, commited by whom they call "militants", and "condemn" Israeli defense measures, taken by whom they call "nazis". We in Spain have much more than our fair share of those contemptible people. Shame on us. I can't blame your feeling the way you feel.

And woe on us, too: those "pacifists" are pressing for our withdrawal from the war on terrorism, be it Islamic or Basque independentist. And it is not at all impossible that they succeed.

Don't get me wrong. I sympathize with many of the previously expressed views. But, we need to look at the issues from the other side and come up with a clear and coherent stance.

Innocent Palestinians have been killed by Israeli bombs and guns, too. Actually, it appears likely that more innocent Palestinians have been killed by Israelis than vice versa. I say "likely" in acknowledgement of the fact that many, possibly most, of the Palestinians killed in the 2nd intifada have not been "innocent".

Many innocent civilians died in the bombings of Iraq and Afghanistan by the US military, too. Are these innocents less deserving of life than their western counterparts? Is there a moral equivalence here?

Many, if not most, of us in the West would say it is a matter of intent. The Israelis do not intend to kill innocents. Some just naturally get caught in the crossfire. By the same token, the US never intended to kill innocents in Iraq and Afghanistan. But, innocents had to be sacrificed in order to defeat a greater evil.

Those on the other side, however, say an innocent civilian is an innocent civilian, and they are mourned just as greatly so, what is the difference? I think, were I in their shoes, I would say "You would have us just lay down and surrender to you and then, you say, the killing will stop. I say, you surrender and the killing will stop."

I think the West's view is justified but, were I on the other side, I think I would want to fight. How do you unravel the Gordian knot and arrive at a just solution that makes everyone happy?

I'm afraid that sooner or later, the West is just going to have to come to the conclusion that there is no solution beyond raw exercise of power. We cannot continue allowing this carnage to proceed ad infinitum. We must steel our resolve and say, we are going to stomp this plague of terrorism into the ground. Regardless of who is right or who is wrong, or who gets hurt, it is better for everyone in the long run if we just go ahead and savagely defeat this enemy once and for all time.

The knot cannot be untied. It must simply be cut in two.

Yes, Marzo. My dad was a fighter pilot in the Air Force. We lived on "la base americana". I got my first bee sting ever there. It's also where I saw Caddyshack for the first time.

It's funny, the things your brain choses to remember.

Holy schnikies! That's a great picture!

Yes, Red, let';s give them some time to figure out what this means to them. How it will affect them is a complete unknown, but I would bet that it's not going to make the Spanish people oppose the War on Terror more. I'll bet that the reaction there is similar to what happened here. A wake up call, if you will. My only concern is with the historic European tendency to overreact, that is, to glob on to some ideology.

What a great photo. All freedom loving peoples hearts go out to Spaniards this day. Our souls and prayers are with Madrid this weekend. Bring us closer together.

"Why should I feel oblige to cry over Madrilenos ?"

Because you're a member of the human race?

Or maybe not.

I grieve for ALL the victims of terror attacks.

Now, at this time, I grieve for the family, loved ones and fellow countrymen of those killed and wounded in Spain this past week.

For the past 2 1/2 years, I have grieved for the victims in Malaysia, Kenya, and, especially, Israel (where the attacks are rather more unrelenting and the victims receive MUCH less world wide support.

On September 11, 2001, I grieved for the many affected by the terror attacks on the United States.

Our choice is stark: civilization and acceptance of diversity and liberty, or kow-towing to those who would redact the civilized world to control of the many by the few.

It appears to this observer that the Spaniard are choosing the proper response.

Viva la Espana!

kirk dameron
Longmont, Colorado, USA
March 13, 2004

I am delighted, Europe being attacked by the same people most europeans little lefties take side with.
Will I be able to go and smack muslims in the mouth ? or will those same little lefties have me in court for racism?

Kristian, I'm not one to mince words. You are one sick fuck. It's really too bad you weren't on that train instead of all those innocent Spaniards. The world needs fewer people like you, not more. You are exactly like the people you are condemning. They're "delighted" too. And they think in broad terms about opposing groups in a manner that makes them no longer human and hence expendible too. You are just like them. No, you won't be able to "smack muslims in the mouth" because "muslims" didn't do this, a specific group of Muslim radicals did this. Just like those radical muslims can't be allowed to just blow up "non-muslims" willy nilly as though group guilt was a legitimate excuse for slaughter. You are virtually identical to the people you're bitching about. Go to hell and take them all with you.

I will give kind words to those who've earned them. You have not. And you can't imagine how little I care if you're offended by the word fuck. Far more offensive is your casual dismissal of tragedy on the part of innocent victims. Were those people on the train all Muslims? Were they all people who are against your position? You don't have a fucking clue what they believed. But you also don't care. Because some people in Spain disagreed with your political position, the deaths of their countrymen are okay with you. Guess what? That's the same thing Osama Bin Laden thinks. He thinks that the West is collectively guilty, and since some people in the West have done things he doesn't like, he can also casually dismiss the deaths of their fellow citizens because of group guilt. The "logic" - and I use the term very loosely - is identical to yours. Which means you are just like the people you're ranting against. And if you don't like being called on your hypocritical bullshit, don't spew it.

I am happy to say, i did not walk against the war, I did not wish to be a useful idiot.

Congratulations, you succeeded. You're not a useful idiot, you're a useless one. This is the substance of your argument:

Some people in Spain marched against the war and don't think that we should blame all muslims for terrorism. Therefore, it's okay with me that a couple hundred of their fellow Spaniards were killed. They had it coming.

And you find the word "fuck" offensive? You call OTHER people hypocrites? Jesus Christ on a pogo stick, when your IQ hits 8, sell.

Kristian -

Hey. This is Red. I own this blog. I pay for the bandwidth. Take your shit somewhere else. Your attitude is combative and narrow-minded.

I'm not happy with the tone of this conversation at all.

ED, those Stupid Spaniards gave the vote to Terror.
Ben LADEN new prime minister of SPAIN.
THOSE SAME IDIOTS WERE BEGGING FOR MY SIMPATHY.

rED. WHAT THE POINT OF HAVING A DISCUSSION SITE, IF YOU DO NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO EXPRESS OPPOSITE VIEWS ?

Kristian Hovborg: you are not better than those assholes who have voted to surrender _my_ country to Al-Qaeda. With all the world if need be, the fucking head-in-the-sand, hands-on-their-wide-apart-buttocks morons.

They didn't beg for your sympathy; they were probably too busy surrendering and chanting "You fascists are the terrorists" to the Government. I didn't beg for your sympathy; it is undignified. I _gave_ you my sympathy; what a waste.

ED, those Stupid Spaniards gave the vote to Terror.
Ben LADEN new prime minister of SPAIN.
THOSE SAME IDIOTS WERE BEGGING FOR MY SIMPATHY.

Did you know a single person who was injured or killed on that train in Spain? No, you didn't. Do you know whether they were stupid or smart? No, you don't. Did you know that Spain was one of the few nations that DID support the invasion of Iraq? I'm sure you did. But since some people in Spain disagreed with that policy, you think it's okay if some of their fellow countrymen are killed. That's okay with you. Of all the countries in Europe, Spain is the last one who should be accused of being on the wrong side of that issue.

Hey, how about Sweden? Didn't they vote against the invasion of Iraq? At least Spain sent troops, what did Sweden do? Not a damn thing. In fact, would you like a few links to articles about peace protests in Sweden, your home country? I'll give you a few:

http://www.laboreducator.org/rdyiminv.htm

http://www.truthout.org/docs_02/012003B.ww.demos.htm

http://peacenowar.net/peace/

Wow, Sweden is full of those infernal protestors too. I guess that means you're okay with bombs ripping through the subway in Stockholm and killing a few hundred people? Sure hope you're not there when it happens, eh? But then I'm sure you won't want sympathy, since some of your fellow Swedes are on the wrong side. And I'm sure you wouldn't be inconsistent in this regard, would you? [sarcasm off]

rED. WHAT THE POINT OF HAVING A DISCUSSION SITE, IF YOU DO NOT ALLOW PEOPLE TO EXPRESS OPPOSITE VIEWS ?

Wait, let me see if I have that straight. You think it's okay that those who express opposite views from you, like through peace protests and such, to be blown to bits on the subway, along with who knows how many people who DO agree with you...but it's totally out of line to censor you from posting on a blog? Are you really this fucking stupid or are you pretending?

Kristian -

I don't know you, woman, and you don't know me, so let me enlighten you:

Your comments are obnoxious, you are obnoxious, I don't like the level of your discussion - and basically, you're a pain in my ass.

I don't like Ed's comments either.

In a day of tragedy and horror, you people just snipe at each other, and it disgusts me. Disgusts me.

This is the most ridiculous back and forth bs I have ever heard. Those people on that train, just like those in the WTC, did not ask to be blown to bits. Maybe some supported the war in Irag, maybe some protested it. Regardless...they did NOT deserve what happened to them. That picture shows me a nation united in grief for people they loved, the people who survived those they loved, and for the inhumanity of the disaster.
No one should belittle what occurred or mock how the nation reacted to it, and certainly, no one who has never experienced this type of terror first hand. Get over yourselves and let the people grieve, unite, and find strength in that unity.

Peg -

Thank you. I couldn't agree more.

I couldn't believe when I posted that picture that I would get such vitriolic hateful responses. Jeez. Hardness of heart, indeed.

red,
I couldn't believe it either. I was so shocked, I had to say something! Where do these people hide all day? Wherever it is, I'm just glad I'm not there too...