Terrorist Bombing in Madrid

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 9:33am

10 bombs exploded at Madrid rail stations and aboard trains. The attack is suspected of the ETA terrorist group, a Basque separatist group. Almost 200 killed and over 600 wounded. The worst explosion happened in the Atocha station where Jarico and I had lunch last year. What is happening???


Spain Rail Blasts

Updated On: 3/11/04 at 09:33 AM

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 9:57am

it's a horrible and cowardly act aimed at screwing up the spanish elections, matt. i said a prayer this morning when i heard hoping that jarico was nowhere near any of this. i remember hearing last week that a group had contacted the french government and demanded 5 million euros otherwise they'd set off bombs on french rail lines. so i was surprised to hear that the spanish trains had been hit. maybe there's more here than we have been told. regardless, i was a bit heartened to see that overwhelming response from european leaders attacking this heinous act of aggression. may their indignation lead to more than just words and instead to a situation where attacks such as these against innocent civilians are not tolerated.

you might disagree with me here, but it's always been my thought that when dealing with people from whom human life means little or nothing as is apparent here, that one must be merciless. i know two wrongs don't make a right, but if those responsible were to learn first hand that the retribution for such an act was more terrible than even the act itself and that any future acts would bring even worse consequences down upon those who sponsor and support such groups, it would eventually bring an end to such acts. i know, it's not a very christian attitude, but we're not dealing with christians here, i am loathe to even admit that we are dealing with humans.

Updated On: 3/11/04 at 09:57 AM

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 9:59am

This is too horrible. What did these poor innocents do to deserve this? I can't believe the Basque would be so blood thirsty as to kill people on the way to work. This is indeed their 9/11.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 10:02am

don't forget, thirdrow, that the purpose of terror is to terrorize and in that parlance this was an exceptionally successful mission.

[Jarico]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 10:34am

Today is a terrible day.
186 killed and more than 900 wounded so far.

13 bombs in the trains arriving to 3 different train stations in Madrid. Never in Spain had happened anything like this.

The killers were the Basque terrorist group named ETA.

Most of the Basque people are good people, but just a few assassins can make such a big massacre.

I don't know what it is going to happen in Spain from now on, but I am sure that a lot of things are going to be different.

I just cannot imagine the deep pain that the families of the victims are having right now.

IT IS A SAD SAD DAY Updated On: 3/11/04 at 10:34 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 10:37am

The act was committed by ETA, a splinter group of the Basque that formed in the early 60s. The Basque do not support this group nor do they condone violence in any way. The strange thing is, neither of the Spanish candidates support the Basque, so ETA has nothing to gain from influencing the election.

Jarico was nowhere near Madrid, but has two brothers who live there. They are ok, thank God, but to think that we were in that station casually having lunch when something like that can happen, it makes it just a little more personal, I guess. I can't imagine why anyone would do something like this. Terrorism is usually born from oppression. The ETA formed during the rule of Franco, but continues the violence long after the Spanish civil war and the democracy was formed, so it just doesn't make any sense.

Thank you for your prayers, papa. Isn't it interesting that it is exactly 6 months until Sep 11?

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 10:51am

from what i can gather, matt, they want a separate basque state in nothern spain and southern france. the fact that southern france is part of their goal makes me think more about the fact that the group that was holding up the french for euros was threatening to attack trains. that group called itself azf. but then perhaps i am reaching.

[Jarico]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 10:59am

papalovesmambo: It had nothing to do with the French AZT.
AZT is just a band who is blackmailing the French Goverment (they wanted 4 million euros and 1 million dollars)

ETA hasn't claimed responsibility yet, but all the evidences are pointing them out.


http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/graficos/mar/s2/atentados/atentado_madrid.html Updated On: 3/11/04 at 10:59 AM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 11:09am

Hate to beat a familiar drum, but I was most disturbed by the minimized coverage of this nightmare on network news this a.m. Todd Bertuzzi's hockey violence received almost equal airplay. And coming off wall-to-wall coverage of the Stewart verdict aftermath, we've got fresh proof of the insideous ways we navel gaze in this society. Our empathy and compassion should go out to the people of Madrid, indeed all of Spain. From the compartmentalized reporting, you'd think we hadn't been through this kind of crisis. And let me make a narcissistic observation that needs to be made: This brutal assault in a rush hour happened on the world stage, with everyone watching. Lest we distance ourselves too readily ... anyone who thinks we couldn't face similar tactics in this country -- no matter what color the alert du jour -- has his head in the sand. For now, let's focus on prayers for the dead and grieving in a land that many Americans have roots in.

Updated On: 3/11/04 at 11:09 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 11:25am

Actually, every one of my friends at work knew about the attack this morning before I told them, so the coverage can't be that slight. I don't think anyone believes these tactics can't happen in the US after Sep 11. Everyone knows it CAN happen, but the question is: WILL it happen? I don't think people have their heads in the sand, they just decide not to live in constant fear.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 11:32am

Matt: My point was about focus issues in the news, the relative weight of the coverage in the context of other "stories," hardly that it's non-existent. You seem to want to correct my take on the lessons one might learn from such a tragedy. It's a dark enough day to draw more than one set of conclusions. Please, let's give one another some breathing room to post individual reactions.

Updated On: 3/11/04 at 11:32 AM

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 11:33am

I just heard on the news that the ETA has denied doing this monsterous act. Updated On: 3/11/04 at 11:33 AM

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 12:17pm

This is a terrible tragedy. I am relieved to know you and your family are safe, Jarico.

I am reminded of the Oklahoma City bombing, though. We Americans were so quick to judge foreign terrrorists and were certain that had to have been the case. As we all know, that was not so. From what I have read (and I admit my knowledge of Spanish politics is limited) there seems to be some doubt as to ETA's envolvement. I think it is important not to jump to conclusions and start pointing fingers. Let the investigation begin and let's mourn the loss of life. My thoughts are with you and your fellow countrymen.

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 12:54pm

That is terrible. I am so sorry glad you are ok Jarico.

[Karma76]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 1:14pm

This is one of my biggest fears too....I feel so horrible for all those people. My hearts goes out to them and their families

[Jarico]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 3:09pm

THANK YOU EVERYBODY.

XOXOXOXO Updated On: 3/11/04 at 03:09 PM

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 3:27pm

There are some sick, sick people out in the world. What is happening?! All I hear on the news is killing and kidnappings. Will this ever end?!

[Jarico]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 3:45pm

"AL QAEDA" HAS JUST CLAIMED RESPOSABILITY FOR THE BOMBS

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 3:54pm

ugh, yep , it's coming online now. a letter and a van and detonators and a recording of the qu'ran. this doesn't wash all of eta's hands though.

Updated On: 3/11/04 at 03:54 PM

[Karma76]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 4:08pm

BREAKING NEWS London newspaper says it received e-mail from al Qaeda-affiliated group claiming responsibility for Madrid bombings. Details soon.

[Jarico]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 4:08pm

"AL QAEDA" sent a letter to the newspaper 'Al-Quds' in London.

The Spanish Police have found a van near Madrid with several detonators and a tape with part of the Coran.

The Spanish goverment says that for now they cannot say if it was ETA or AL QAEDA, but both of them are possible hypothesis. Updated On: 3/11/04 at 04:08 PM

[Jarico]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 5:00pm

Updated On: 3/11/04 at 05:00 PM

[Jarico]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 5:04pm

The black ribbon is just a symbol, but it is something that we are wearing in Spain today and the next days to express our reject of any kind of terrorism.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 6:47pm

and the filth al qaeda says a major attack on the US is 90% ready.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 3/11/04 at 8:35pm

I just wish ALL Al-QAEDA members would be caught and tortured until they die, beyond any imaginable pain. Sorry if I sound harsh, that's how I feel since Sep 11 and now even more. Jarico, please accept all my love, sympathy and prayers from a fellow European. We will do our best as far as security goes, but I have to tell you guys, as a nation, we are soooo worried about the Olympics !!

Take care