So what do you all think of Spain going back to socialism? It seems to me that it is a step backward, any opinion that you feel compelled to share?

It is simply a knee-jerk response to the terrorist bombings that happened in Madrid. Unfortunately this response may have long lasting effects, and may very well indeed bolster the ranks of terrorist groups as they have effectively won the battle in Spain. The message stands now, kill enough people and society will become squeamish enough to bow to your wishes and stop putting up resistance to their terror.

A sad day indeed.

What is so sad about this? They aren't 'going back to socialism' as you say - the socialist party was ELECTED to be in position, while the PP still holds seats. They can always be VOTED out. It's a democratic socialist party, not a totalitarian dictatorship!

They just happen to have the opposite of the US, heavy liberal side and a minority in the conservative side. They aren't 'reverting' to Franco and fascism; they're moving foreword with a party concerned about what most countries really need. Granted, they did mediocre with respect to Spain's past political/social achievements during their rule from 82-96, but the popular party didn't do any better (opinion, of course). Hopefully they've shaped up and are going to work closer with their right-wing counterparts.

When you see the word socialism, don't just jump up and, in a style reminiscent of McCarthy, yell BAD BAD BAD. There are many socialist institutions in this country that have worked very well, and many capitalist institutions that have not. Capitalism is not a society's cure-all, and socialism is not the reincarnation of Hitler/Stalin/Lenin.

-- Doug

This is the reason I call it a sad day. The pre-attack polls show that the hand picked successor to the incumbent was going to win with a decent margin of victory. However after the attacks, there was a polar shift to a leader who wants to shy away from America and the fight on terrorism in hopes that it will lull the extremist parties within it's own boarders as well as others abroad to leave Spain alone.

Actually, I believe that the main reason Spain elected the socialist candidate wasn't because they now want to shy away from America's War on Terror, but rather they believe that the Prime Minister they had wasn't being honest about their recent bombings link to any sort of terror network (such as Al-Quida).

Now, the question is, was the attack done by the ETA (Spanish terrorist group promoting the seperation of the Basque region), Al-Queada, or someone else?

No matter who did it, the train bombing did play a crucial role in the switch of power to the Socialist party.

The Spanish government immediatly blamed the ETA, which proably means they are downplaying any connection with the bombing and thier involvement in Iraq with the United States.

What i'm worried about is if terrorist groups see this and try it here

I think that the Spanish people made a grevious mistake in switching their choice to the Socialist party. What they have done basically comes down to this. If you set off ten bombs in our country we will cowtow to you and your wishes. That is just the statement to Al Quida, what about to the Basques ETA? I understand the whole knee-jerk, however it sent such a bad message to terrorist groups around the world.

Just my opinion though!

Doug,

Care to elaborate why Bush Sr., Clinton, and George W. are all terrorists? When did they intentionally kill innocient people.

Spain did make a grevious mistake, not just for themselves and their ETA situation, but for the rest of the world. Keep an eye out on the news the first week of November. I won't be the least bit suprised if terrorists try to do something.

wow... I didn't know that I was going back to socialism. My last name happens to be Spain.... I wonder when or if anybody was gonna break this horribly bad news to me? Eh oh well... to each his own.

Ok, the attack was NOT done by ETA.

Also, I don't think this was a response to the bombings. 90% of Spainish didn't support the war in Iraq. When you go against the will of 90% of the people on a major issue such as this you sort of have to expect being voted out. The problem is that even if this is the case it will still give terrorists that sense of power.

And I don't think it's a big deal that the socialist party got elected because it's still a democracy. If they people don't like them after a few years then they can vote them out and get another party in there.

This was clearly a result of the bombings, many straw polls left the popular party winning by a landslide just a day before the bombings. The citizens of Spain are trying to pacify instead of fight.

and we wondered why they didn't support us? They are all little spanish hens. At least when we took a hit, we didn't crawl around and say, "please dont hurt me, I will do anything you ask." Grow some balls, spain. Just don't rub them in everyone's face like the current US administration likes to do.

No, the people of Spain were justifiably upset that their government lied to them. The Popular Party immediately associated the bombings with the ETA, even though they had information to suggest this was false. The Spanish press broke this before the election, and the people turned out in a MASSIVE election (63% turnout) to send the message "It's not alright to lie to the public of our country." I only hope that U.S. Voters send the same message this fall.

We all know that John Kerry will save us all! Not. Anyway I hope the voters choose the best person for the job.

John Kerry, George Bush, neither of them would make me happy if they won the election. But if Bush won, I wouldn't forsake America and move to Japan.