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3/11: A moment for Spain...

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We were all "madrileños" last 11/3 the same way that we were all New Yorkers on September 11.

LINK

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of 11-M... 3/11 for us Americans.

Last month I was in Madrid. I spent some time in Atocha Station. I had not really felt any connection to Spain, Europe or the rest of the world for that matter when it came to terrorism. I mean what can compare to knocking down the tallest towers... but it's not about size, it's not about country. It's about a way of life...

When we were in Spain there was a car bombing on Ash Wednesday. Luckily Skogafoss and I had left Madrid the night before. It still hit home for me when we returned to Madrid to see more para-military and police on the streets. Even though it was ETA (Basque Separtitsts) it still didn't make anyone feel comfortable.

I haven't seen anything on the news about it at all. In fact turning on the news now I see the Atlanta Courtroom shooting on all the news media channels. While I know there would have been little media coverage about it, there's definitely going to be nothing now.

I can't believe it's been a year already. Such a horrible event, I think anyone who takes the subway work everyday can imagine the horror those involved must have experienced. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and there families.

Yes. I saw this story yesterday and I thought it represented a very positive and hopeful trend:

"
World: Spanish clerics issue Osama fatwa

[World News]: MADRID, Spain -- Muslim clerics in Spain issued what they called the world's first fatwa, or Islamic edict, against Osama bin Laden on Thursday, the first anniversary of the Madrid train bombings, calling him an apostate and urging others of their faith to denounce the al Qaeda leader.

The ruling was issued by the Islamic Commission of Spain, the main body representing the country's 1 million-member Muslim community. The commission represents 200 or so mostly Sunni mosques, or about 70 percent of all mosques in Spain.

The March 11, 2004, train bombings killed 191 people and were claimed in videotapes by militants who said they had acted on al Qaeda's behalf in revenge for Spain's troop deployment in Iraq.

The commission's secretary general, Mansur Escudero, said the group had consulted with Muslim leaders in other countries, such as Morocco -- home to most of the jailed suspects in the bombings -- Algeria and Libya, and had their support.

art,

two shows I watched recently which I recommend highly, if they aren't broadcast in your area, let me know and we can make arrangements.

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Massacre in Madrid from Discovery News

Massacre In Madrid

Anniversary of the tragic mass

New York, Bali, Istanbul… Al-Qaeda struck all without mercy. Somehow, Western Europe seemed immune from attack – until Madrid. Thursday, March 11, 2004 began like any other normal working day as 200,000 commuters set off for work in the city. But hidden among them were 12 bags packed with deadly explosives. Not only did they kill nearly 200 people, but injured over 1,800 more and caused incalculable pain, mayhem and chaos in their wake. The horrible attack sent a chilling message to Europe – the Islamic Fundamentalists’ anger had found a new target.

A one-hour special to commemorates the one-year anniversary of the tragedy in Madrid, Massacre In Madrid provides an in-depth analysis of the events that transpired on that fateful day and the days to follow.

Three days after the attack, the bombs and the terrorists succeeded in doing what no other terrorist movement had ever accomplished in such a short time – they took a political party out of the game and out of government. The bombs were a strike against Spain’s democratic process. The Spanish general election was just days away and the bombs were seen to be an attempt to influence the vote. The Basque separatists, ETA, were blamed for the attacks by the ruling government, even though there were many clues leading to Islamic terrorists – a move that had huge repercussions.

On the night following the bombings, 11 million Spaniards took to the streets to protest, as the government continued to deny any knowledge of Islamic involvement. On the following Sunday, millions of Spaniards went to the polls and a new government was immediately installed.

The Discovery Channel delves behind the headlines to provide compelling insight into the events of those three days. Using footage and reconstructions, Massacre In Madrid profiles the personal stories of those effected by the March 11th attack, including 17-year-old Jose Luis Tenesaca, who was killed on his way to school; and Dori Majali, whose horrific injuries led to the loss of a leg. Viewers hear from the victims and families and friends of those who died, as well as the emergency crews and doctors who were working that day.

Massacre In Madrid also examines how the bombs were laid, how they were built and how they exploded. Talking to survivors and bystanders, it investigates how the security services were caught short, how the government lost control of the situation and how the terrorists nearly got away with murder – leaving behind the threat of more to come.

and

Thomas L Friedman Reporting: The roots of 9/11

I feel bad but I don't understand why the Spanish government gave in to the terrorists requests by pulling their troops out of Iraq. They only gave the terrorists what they wanted.