Emails from Madrid

[July]

Thought I'd share some of the comments of a friend in Madrid who's emailed me yesterday and today. I'm translating from the Spanish, so some of this might not sound smooth.

Yesterday:

A few lines to tell you we're all okay.

As you will know, this morning there was a terrible terrorist attack in Madrid. At 1 p.m. there are 131 dead. We are all very affected by the extent of it and by the proximity.

(Daughter) used to take a similar train at the Atocha station (one of the affected stations) every morning to go to the university, but lately she has been taking the bus.

Poor families! Damned murderers. The victims come from among the humblest levels of society who live in the south of Madrid or in the Henares corridor, and during a rush hour.

Today, excerpted:

(Begins saying news developing rapidly, everything is confused, now al-Qaida is said to possibly be responsible, though the govt. has been insisting it is ETA)

In an appearance this morning, Aznar confirmed that they are working on this new line of investigation and the possibility that some Arab group could be implicated. He was noticeably very nervous. There is a part of public opinion that is very critical of the government's conduct in the doling out of information. They have taken a long time to inform us of new clues/trails they have found. The deaths are the same but the electoral consequences could be significant. The government's conduct in the Iraq war and the threat to Spain by Arab terrorist groups could have an effect.

(Demonstration called by govt. and political parties for 7 p.m., many people expected.)

(Personal messages.)

FWIW, that's what I'm hearing.

[DeepModem Mom]

1. Thank you, July --

[July]

3. You are welcome. n/t

[Postman]

2. Is it possible that ETA was responsible but blame will be placed...

..on Al-Qaeda so that Bush, struggling in the polls lately, can gain political mileage by "helping" Aznar fight the "arab terrorists"?

This makes Commander AWOL look like he's fighting the terrorists and keeping the country safe (ignoring that it may well be ETA who did the deed)

[Florida_Geek]

4. Spain's people were against go into Iraq with *

So, the President of Spain, will not be helped by his bringing Al-Qaeda into Spain.

Aznar wants it to be ETA and not connected to Iraq that for sure.

[Postman]

5. I understand what you're saying but,

if Bush can "sell" this as linked to Al-Qaeda and send help to Aznar, 1)Spanish popoulace can be propagandized into submitting to a "war on terror" 2)Aznar receives aid in fighting ETA and is sold as aid to fight arab terrorists. 3) Bush gets a jump in the polls and is seen as being strong in "keeping us safe" vis-a-vis John Kerry

[July]

7. I think #2 (aid to Aznar) is possible,

but I'm not sure about #3 (I don't think our sending Spain money will influence people here too much), and I don't think #1 will fly because Spain has been warring on terror (by ETA) for over 30 years already -- it's a very important issue in Spain, and the majority of the people are on board with fighting it.

[lebkuchen]

8. I agree with you. Al Qaida is Aznar's worst nightmare.

He'd better damn well be nervous.

The stockmarket sure is.

[deportivoI]

10. Dont think so

It would guarantee a loss for the PP (rightwingers) if the terrorists turned out to be Al-Queida

[markses]

6. On the other side of the spectrum

My brother, who lived in Madrid for two years, called his former roommate and close friend (let's call him Gonzalo), in a bit of a panic. Now, if you'd ever met Gonzalo, you could expect the response - I've never met a more laid back cat in my life. He is so without nervous energy that he seems ready to fall asleep there talking to you. His response to my brother's fevered inquiries:

"Oh, yeah. Y'know, some bombs went off. Who knows, right?"

My brother, needless to say, was incredulous.

[deportivoI]

9. The Whole Thing

is too fishy. If the terrorist were ETA the PP (rightwingers) are guaranteed to win the elections.If it is Al-Queida then the Socialist party will win. Very strange