Talk Elections

Bastards, murderers!

Scores die in Madrid bomb carnage
 
The blasts hit during the morning rush hour  
A string of deadly blasts has hit three Madrid train stations during the rush hour with latest reports speaking of more than 170 people killed.  

http://www.bbcworld.com/content/template_newsheadlines.asp?pageid=71

It's just... horiffic...

I do not think it's ETA
rather Al-Qaeda

I want to restore death sentance. In this kind of crime there couldn't be other alternative.

Probable. Spanish government also blames ETA. But it's possibly some smaller Basque separatist group.

But there is need to strike against all Basque terrorist groups.

there is need to strike against ALL terrorist groups. period. and that's goes first to Arab&muslims groups like Al-Qaeda, Hamas, hizballa and their supporters

They should go to jail for the rest of their lives, whether it´s ETA or Al Qaeda (the Spanish interior ministry already said it was ETA, let´s see if that´s confirmed). I don´t believe in the state killing people, and not just for the possible mistakes, it´s a matter of principle.

Seems like it would be ETA or a related group, since they've been having problems with them for a while -- but you definitely cannot rule out Al Qaeda, especially in this time. God help those who can still be saved.

This is really sad :(

State killing people is unpleasant situation, BUT in case of serious war crimes and terrorist attacks, I can't see other alternative. In wars and terror thousands, millions innocent people be killed. Why we should be merciful toward those who are guilty all this killing? I consider that in normal peacetime society there is no need death penalty, (although I'm not sure about case of murder of child) but I can't see possibility that major nazi-criminals, for example, should have put only to jail.

I agree.

And there is also need to find some enduring solution to the problem between Israelis and Palestinians. Without it terrorism in your country will never end.

Although, today it's fairly hollow to say it, because of there IS enduring solution between Basques and Spain.

right, you said it all

My initial thought was ETA, but then I'm not sure if they have the resources (or the will) to do something on this scale. Al-Qaeda seems more likely.

Needless to say, I agree, this is absolutely tragic.

Well, this is a tragedy. Terrorists...I don't know what to say really. :(

It still seems unclear who did it, I'd say Al-Qaeda and ETA are both very possible, there are things talking for and against both possibilities. I'd say Al-Qaeda right now though.

Just like I daid hours ago - and it was clear, not that I am that  genious - Al Qaeda took responsebility

I really hope that it isn't Al Qaeda, because in this case there would be immediate terrorist threat in all around the Europe.

good morning Mr Finn

Morning? ??? :)

as in you woke up finally

Oh, I think I see what you mean. But the threat against Sweden or Finland must be considered to be pretty minimal.

true

Who was responsible for the synagogue bombing in Turkey a few months ago?

My bet is that this is Al-Qaeda.

no doubt

I was under the impression that ETA denied it, saying they always announce before they attack, and they wouldn't do an attack this big. Looks like designed to influence the Spanish elections this sunday! Al Qaida must have learned from Hamas...

That is aweful!!!!!!

I would put my money on Al Qaeda.

Someone who would do this would have to have a big motivation.  Spain has been one of our best allies in Iraq.  They can't get into this country so they attack the Spanish.  This won't end until we have eradicated these bastards!!!!

It isn't ETA; groups like that (which have a political wing) usually don't go to such measures because it severly harms their political message if the kill 190 people.

It might not have been al-Qaeda, but it wasn't ETA, imho.

Menace against Sweden or Finland is pretty minimal, yes. But against UK, Italy, Holland, Denmark who all supported war on Iraq... I'm not so sure about threat against France and Germany. (They were both in Afghanistan, nevertheless)

I'm travelling to London in the next weekend. I have to admit that I fear little. But I don't know did this attack change anything. I consider that London was already high on the Al Qaeda's target list.

What kind of feelings you have our fellow British members?

In September 2001 I was going to New York. Our plane should have started in 9/14. It was canceled of course. Now it feels that it all is happening again.

now you are beginning to understand what's living under terror's threat

And terrorits say that there is a attack against USA "90% ready". Sorry fot this question but if there is a a great attack against USA (as world trade center), is it a good thing for bush or a good thing for Kerry? It'isn't a failure for bush and his policy of safety? (once but not 2)

If the attack was by Al Qaeda, it's possible that it has nothing to do with the war in Iraq, but a hell of a lot to do with symbolism.
Remember: there were Crusades in Spain as well...

Lol, I don't think they're that intelectually advanced...

To Umengus: this isn't really the thread, but it's a little unclear. I perosnally think that it would work in favour of Bush, since it would make national security a more improtant issue again, and that's one of his main strengths, even if anothetr attack would hurt his credibility.

There are few times I appreciate lving in a small Iowan town. During terrorist threats, I am glad.

you should too

It is likely some minor co-operation between the ETA and Al-Queda. The attack was very suffisticated, and was likely not masterminded by Al-Queda alone. Perhaps they used the small Muslim population in Spain for help, but I suspect the ETA was involved, perhaps in a small respect, but involved.

Siege40

I hope ETA was involved, since it would most likely mean that they're over.  

It's Al Qaeda

I know, largely due to the reason I mention in my post...

Funny, people OUTSIDE Spain seem to think it's Al Qaeda by huge majorities, people INSIDE Spain seem to think it's ETA by huge majorities. At least that's how it stood yesterday. Who knows what the situation in Spain's like today.

Lots of people begin to think that it's Al Quaeda.

It's a stupidity to organize elections today too. It's amazing.

No it isn't. Terrorists should never be allowed to prevent democratic processes, that's giving in to them.

No doubt. It's Al Qaeda! Those animals!

What Spanish government should do right now is increase their participation in operation in Iraq and Afghanistan. That would be right signal to terrorists. It will be huge mistake, if Spain withdraw from the war on terror under public pressure. It only would encourage  new attacks in other countries.

I hope that conservatives will win today's election.  Although I don't believe that socialists would change Spanish foreign policy after this all.

right

Time runs so incredibly fast. :'(
I can't believe that the Madrid 3/11 terrorist attacks, the European equivalent of the American 9/11 terrorist attacks, occurred 20 years ago...

The outer scars of most victims may have healed, but their inner scars will remain for ever.

If there is a major terrorist atrocity during an election campaign, there's a good chance the incumbent party is stiffed whatever happens. But what you *don't* do, is deliberately lie about who dunnit.

IMO that remains the major political lesson from these terrible events two decades ago.

Or you could say this:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3572565.stm

Such ridiculous Bush era rhetoric when what happened was it backfired on PP that they blamed ETA rather than Al Qaeda.

One of the myriad bad things about Orange Man, is that he made many people forget just how awful the Dubya regime actually was - his "rehabilitation" by some liberal types remains utterly cringe.