US and world solidarity with SPAIN

War on Terrorism political cartoon.

http://www.iowapresidentialwatch.com/cartoonarc/Terror.htm

I don' know....I'm personally, a lot more in favour of spreading messages of serenity, union, pursuit of justice and dignity than of terror, revenge at any cost, and paranoia; among other things, because I'm convinced that's the reaction the f****** terrorists expect, just to laugh at us (did you know that in Spain, the ETA members in jail always manage to be able to toast to the killings with champagne?)....

....Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is; I for one, refused long ago to let fear of them run my life!!!

WE APPRECIATE THE GESTURE OF SOLIDARITY, THOUGH!

I agree with Pim. Spain needs to rise about this.

The last thing Spain should do is follow America's example in fighting terrorism (as supported by the cartoon's provider), quite possibly the worst way to do so.

This cartoon's message is that Spain is now in the same boat as the US and needs to join them in their methods.

I couldn't disagree more vehemently. Spain needs to continue its stance against the invasion of Iraq and vote in a way that truly reflects this stance. It needs to repudiate the methods used so far which, for us here in Madrid, have likely been a reason for this death and misery.

Rather than indulge in the spasms of violence, lies, and civil-rights repression exhibited by the US, Spain needs most of all to show the world that its people are stronger and more compassionate and that there are other and better ways to fight this kind of hideous bloodshed.

This cartoon advocates the War on Terror which is like advocating a War on Evil. It is designed to never end, feed a rapacious military, guarantee the deaths of many, and eventually deprive us of the our liberties. It will not bring us peace or security anymore than the War on Drugs brought about a drug-free nation.

I think it's telling that American images of the globe always show North America front and center, even when the cartoon or image is prompted by events elsewhere on the planet. Even when it's our friends who are suffering, even when we're offering our condolences, WE'RE STILL NUMBER ONE!!

Jeez.
Reb.

I have to say, I'm ashamed by our country's lackluster response to this tragedy. Already, the story has dropped off the front pages of many American papers. And the coverage of the significance for the elections has been terrible or non-existent. There have been no big rallies here in solidarity that I know of... I'm so saddened by this.

But the response in Spain is inspirational. Having lived through 9-11 here in DC, I can say there was nothing like that here. People holed up and the city locked down. It hasn't really been unlocked since. It brought tears to my eyes to see people all around Spain standing in solidarity against violence.

I hope (and believe) that the people in Madrid will grieve, but refuse to give in to fear and will keep on living in and loving their city.

instead of a war on terror, let's help the victims and focus on the healing.

i have set up a donations page at www.multimadrid.com/11marzo for anyone who wants to give to teh victims of the recent madrid attacks.

you can also click on any of the...



... images at the top left of all the board pages.

please give what you can.

saludos,
jer...

I'm American and I agree that Spain should stay out of the invasion of Iraq and the "war on terrorism." Many Americans think it's the US's duty to police and give to the world, however, I don't see it that way. Our policies are complex. It's very easy to say if I were president, I would just seal our borders, curl up, stop the policing, stop the aid, let every country fend for itself, and may the most ruthless regime conquer but, after careful consideration that probably isn't the smart thing to do. (Influential countries like Russia and England have come to that realization.)

For the record, I think Bush has been a horrible president and anybody who follows him is just as horrible.

The people of Spain speak their voice - democracy in action.

My hope for the USA is that we too change our leadership in the November elections. I am sick of the people who say "I'm not political. I don't really understand what the president is doing." They will vote conservative because of the "values" of the conservatives? The decisions of our leaders affect our lives so much and you can't / shouldn't live ignorant in a democracy.

The situation with Iraq and Afganistan will not end for another 100 years. The steps we are taking now are not making the world safer.

I love hearing that the people of Spain have a voice in controlling their troops!!! The "you're either with us or agaisnt us" line that has been shoved down our throats really blows.

JEREMY, thank you for the web cams. We watched Puerta del Sol all day on Thursday, March 11th.

Every time I see an intelligent Anti-Bush statement, it inevitably raises my spirits. It's good to see that at least some Americans pay attention to the actual facts, and not the pre-packaged marketing that passes as news and policy briefings.
Anyway, no doubt that Americans stand by the Spaniards, but are Spaniards going to stand by Americans? I'm coming over to Spain in two weeks, and NPR is reporting anti-American sentiment at high levels in Europe. Obviously this refers to America's government and policies, but what is the general attitude towards Americans these days? Am I going to be targeted as Muslims were in the days after 9-11? I mean, some Spaniards do see this as the fault of America's leadership. What do you guys think?

Hey Tab..don't sweat what NPR is saying. These news outlets drive me nuts - they phrase things as if there are bands of Spaniards stocking americans. If i stayed away from all the places that had REPORTED anti-american sentiment, I would never have left my two stoplight town. You'll have fun - really!

I lived in Spain during the first Gulf War and--despite reports to the contrary in the American press--I never experienced even the most subtle "anti-American sentiment." Though there was a healthy amount of debate--people wanted to talk to me about the war and find out what my thoughts were.

I think the Spanish are very clear on the distinction between people from a country and the policies of a state.

And I am guessing that--as much as the Spanish economy depends on tourism--that any visitors will be very welcome in the coming months.

You can leave your messages for the families of 3/11 here... www.terecordamos.com

Hair: Just a "horrible" American checking in here. It is evident that you're not as "aware" of the world in which we live today. The visionary leadership of Pres. Bush through previously uncharted waters [only due to Clinton's inability to navigate] is the stuff of legend.

The fact that Spain was made another victim on the al-Qaeda tour of terror has little to do with the support of the U.S. in Iraq...if one is to believe the vile spew of bin Laden. It was UBL that has spoken of "avenging the loss of al-Andalus." This is a 500-year old grudge that this guy is talking about. Spain could've welcomed al-Qaeda and paid for their training...I still think UBL would be angry over what Fernando and Isabel did to Boabdil in Granada in 1492.

These homicidal psycopaths are not the types to "sit down and negotiate." They teach, preach, eat and sleep violence. This is what they respond to, and preemptive action is what has always worked, and what will always work--with them. Simply "backing out of the process" is not enough to remove you from the hit list. Ask Canada.

Euskaldun
The Horrible

I haven`t really wanted to post anything on this thread although I have read everyone`s post, because I think politics is always a touchy subject and everyone has their opinion, but one thought keeps nagging at me through everything I have read and I really feel I must say one thing. Bush, Aznar, Tony Blair and the rest of the leaders that went against Iraq are not responsible for this violence....not now or 2 1/2 years ago....if anyone thinks that by siding against the US leaders that is going to somehow keep violence away from your doorstep think again...Anyone who believes in democracy is a target and these murderers are even willing to kill their own...By all means do vote your conscience and keep active in your countries politics(your homeland and your adopted country) but don`t ever let your guard down against terrorism...it is not one of those things that if you ignore it it will go away and terrorists don`t understand negotiations and talk, they only understand violence so don`t for one minute think they will play fair or that they have the capacity to think like we do because that just isn`t so......they don`t even value human life the way we do....Ater 9/11 I kept thinking "how could it even have occured to these people to fly planes into buildings the way they did?" I couldn`t have even imagined an action so horrible, now the terrorists have forced us to think the way they do to try and keep ahead of them...what a sad waste of energy really instead of finding solutions to poverty or disease we all have to be thinking what horrible thing will they do next.....So please don`t blame the leaders who are doing what they think is best to combat this problem and put the blame where it really belongs.....with the terrorists!!!!!

Sorry Gringa but that's just ridiculous. The idea of flying airplanes into buildings occurred to any number of teenagers while playing Flight Simulator.

Plus the invasion of Iraq is not just leaders doing what they think is best to combat terrorism. It's out and out immoral, illegal, and unethical. How is it justified for the US, Britain, and Spain to invade a country that poses ABSOLUTELY no threat to them and by doing so killing thousands of innocent people?

Bush, Blair, and Aznar are DIRECTLY responsible for ratcheting up the death of innocents around the world and at home.

And how is the perfect, untainted (unlike the US elections of 2000) practice of democracy, the very thing you accuse Al-Qaeda of wanting to put an end to, a victory for Al-Qaeda?

And it's obvious Euskaldun is just being sarcastic. I mean, really,

quote:

The visionary leadership of Pres. Bush through previously uncharted waters [only due to Clinton's inability to navigate] is the stuff of legend.

Might as well talk about how Pres. Bush singlehandly took on Saddam and Bin Laden in hand to hand combat and laid them low with a combination body slam and piledriver for all the connection to reality the about quote exhibits.