Spain's train blast kill 200 and wounds 1500

[Paco Anton]

Several bombs have exploded simultaneously on three trains around Madrid at 0800 this morning, when thousands of people were going to work.

Current toll is 192 dead and more than 1400 wounded.

Although basque separatists (ETA) are the prime suspects, there is a new line of investigation that suggest that al-Quaeda may be involved.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/03/11/spain.blasts/index.html




Fortunately I do not know anybody affected, although many other fellow citizens cannot say the same. Let's hope this barbaric acts end soon.

[RickM]

Paco, glad all is well.

Made my calls to the mother country. Everyone I know of is ok.

A couple of co-workers just left for the airport and guess where they're going..... Madrid....through one of the targeted train stations.

My hat's off to Spain for being aggressive early on in the fight against terrorism.

[Iggy]

Media reports indicate a letter supposedly from al Qaeda taking responsibility for the attack.

[91C2wrencher]

Very horrible indeed. So much loss for what? I'm beginning to take a dim view of our tolerance for outlaw terrorism. The civilized nations need to come together and treat these wackos as they treat us, no justice just put a price tag on their heads and waive any consequences and let the world take aim. I know this sounds shallow and would probably only escalate things, but it does seem that if they where busy hiding from "bounty hunters" they would have time for little else.

[Moses]

We are at war with a culture. Perhaps an entire religion. Are you ready to invade Saudi Arabia? Iran? Probably not.

Our enemy is resolute and fearless. He has no uniform and no country. He is funded generously and quietly. He fights for god.

I just can't see a way out of this mess.

[motion]

Paco,

Sorry for the loss of your countrymen.

These people will be stopped someday. Unfortunately, it needs to become more of a "world" problem for the action to become more seriously pursued. The US and a couple of its allies can only do so much.

There needs to be more than US aid on the line for other countries to jump in and do their part.

If al Queda steps up attacks on countries like Spain, I suspect it won't be long before the proverbial $hit hits the fan.

Of course, Saudia Arabia is the sticky part. Until we ween ourselves off their oil, those bastards are going to be holding the cards.

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by Moses
We are at war with a culture. Perhaps an entire religion. Are you ready to invade Saudi Arabia? Iran? Probably not.

Our enemy is resolute and fearless. He has no uniform and no country. He is funded generously and quietly. He fights for god.

No "god" would authorize or want this.

[RickM]

Quote: "We are at war with a culture. Perhaps an entire religion. Are you ready to invade Saudi Arabia? Iran? Probably not.

Our enemy is resolute and fearless. He has no uniform and no country. He is funded generously and quietly. He fights for god.

I just can't see a way out of this mess."



Moses, you've made this statement before and it intrigues me.

Perhaps this is the start of the next "World War". Not fought in a specific area goverened by certain rules. Rather, the battlefield is everywhere and the only rules are to win. Like a "dirty" street fight...do whatever you have to do.

And what has happened in Spain will happen here. Simple attacks like this are too easy to carry out here in a free society and it will cripple us. I'm surprised it hasn't happened already. Maybe our Homeland Security is working. Time will tell.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by motion
If al Queda steps up attacks on countries like Spain, I suspect it won't be long before the proverbial $hit hits the fan.

Meaning that liberals will be blaming this attack on GW and company. The world is such a happy place if we just ignore the problems - or recognize that we are the problem.

Originally posted by VaSteve
No "god" would authorize or want this.

Most followers of "God" are pursueded by Church (man made) to act in this manner. The problem is that half the world never went through the Holy War and do not believe in or practice religious tollerance. Combine that with 3rd world living conditions and corrupt dictators and you have the situation we see today.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by RickM
And what has happened in Spain will happen here. Simple attacks like this are too easy to carry out here in a free society and it will cripple us. I'm surprised it hasn't happened already. Maybe our Homeland Security is working. Time will tell.

H.S. is working, though we are and will always be open to attack. Everything is at stake, so the real question is how far will the free societies of the world be willing to take this?

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
H.S. is working, though we are and will always be open to attack. Everything is at stake, so the real question is how far will the free societies of the world be willing to take this?

By "take this" what do you mean?

[JavaBrewer]

The battle against terrorism. The U.S. and a couple allies can't go it alone. Does everyone retreat for cover and go back to appeasement of the coward bully?

[SRISER]

I disagree with the spin...this is a religious war. Islam against Christian nations and those that support Isreal. Nothing new...been going on for about 3000 years. But what does it serve to blow up people? How does this change anything?

I am very sorry for what has happened in Madrid. The people of Spain did nothing to deserve such as this. But now the terrorist have awakened a sleeping lion much like they did with the US. Fear not, Osama and his close buddies will be caught this year...and justice will be served with a $0.03 bullet to the head.

[motion]

This is no different than the Palestinians and their suicide bombers. They readily admit that they can't go after Israel's military, so they blow up innocent people instead. They feel a need to blow things up, so they do it.

The U.S. military can crush anything on earth. How can a bunch of raggedy, pissed-off individuals living in holes in the Afghan desert compete with that? They can't. They hate western society, so the only thing they can do is blow up innocent people.

As long as we are going to be strong, and other countries support us and endorse our western lifestyle, there will be people, somewhere who hate us and want to blow things up. As the world becomes more globalized, the problem will probably just get worse.

If it was me, I would remove all television transmissions from the air and pipe via cable only. Then I'd make sure the Islamic countries didn't have access to it. Those *********s don't need to be seeing all the excess on MTV in their caves in the desert.

What really burns my a$$ is that you can bet that the children of these Jihad leaders are running around with mickey mouse tshirts on.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by SRISER
I disagree with the spin...this is a religious war. Islam against Christian nations and those that support Isreal. Nothing new...been going on for about 3000 years. But what does it serve to blow up people? How does this change anything?

Technology has changed everything. These once remote people are our "new" neighbors. Wireless/GPS/Internet/Physical mobility - these capabilities are cheap and accessable to anyone. Combined with more traditional "terror" devices they instantly enable large scale murder. It's like comparing a gun to a knife - now you can kill from the comfort of your chair.

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
Technology has changed everything. These once remote people are our "new" neighbors. Wireless/GPS/Internet/Physical mobility - these capabilities are cheap and accessable to anyone. Combined with more traditional "terror" devices they instantly enable large scale murder. It's like comparing a gun to a knife - now you can kill from the comfort of your chair.

I thought the internet was supposed to break down barriers of race, creed and whatnot. Aside from you guys who have personal pictures in your avatars, I have no idea what you all look like or beliefs are. ****ing sucks really.

[Moses]

Originally posted by VaSteve
No "god" would authorize or want this.

Of course not. But tell them.