The truth does not win; the truth is just what is left when everything else is wasted
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Political class in crisis after MadridPosts: Joined: 2007-06-07
Douglas Murray's piece is part of the revealing spate of articles across the media that show how deeply the political class is rattled by the Spanish Socialists defection from Bushs coalition, and al-Qaidas unhelpful announcement that Spain is now off its hit-list.
In case voters join up the dots, establishment politicians and their ideologues are increasingly desperate to pretend that the rational response to the Madrid massacre is not to withdraw troops from Iraq, but even tighter security measures. Meanwhile they press on with their hypocritical war against all kinds of terrorism except the brands that serve the very US project of global dominance which has provoked and will continue to provoke a terrorist backlash.
Submitted on Fri, 2004-03-19 11:33
Re: Political class in crisis after Madrid
What amuses me (in a bitter way) is that those who claim to be most gung-ho against terrorism are so ready to accept the propaganda claim of terrorists that they acheived their goal with the Spanish election results. Of course the terrorists would claim victory! And they would have said exactly the same thing if the results have been the opposite! The only difference would have been that in that scenario, the chickenhawks would have been puffing themselves up to deny the terrorists' claims. The first thing you have to acknowledge in this debate is the utter cynicism of those in power...
Submitted on Fri, 2004-03-19 12:10
reply Re: Political class in crisis after Madrid
The 'rational response' is to comply with the terrorist demands?
A distinction has to be made here. Reasonable minds can differ on whether troops should be withdrawn fromn Iraq (although I do believe the case for continuing with the political process now underway is actually far better than that for the original war). But withdrawing as the result of a terrorist act? No way.
This is why - per a post I made on anothe rline - a delicacy was required on Zapatero's part. Change Spain's position on the Coalition? Absolutely, this was his platform, upon which he was elected. But it is also the fact that the election was marred both by the appalling bombing and the absurd propaganda of the PP. It was incumbent on Zapatero then to use some discretion to avoid even the appearance that he was practicing appaeasement. Hence, the 'decent interval', at least the formality of a reserved and cautious approach to the issue, etc.
His actual performance was appalling. He cut a contemptible, ridiculous figure, and was promptly rewarded by he 'truce' letter. He will prove a major embarrassment to Spain.
Submitted on Sat, 2004-03-20 00:03
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