You have no idea how pissed off I was when the Socialists took power in the immediate aftermath of the bombings. I was just in Spain for about 5 weeks or so the month before the bombing and despite 80% of the (idiot) populace opposing the war, I believe Presidente Jose Maria Aznar was en route to re-election.

When the Socialists won, I just shook my head is absolute freakin disgust at the Spainards' lack of resolve and ultimate decision to just give it up to the terrorists.

Granted, the Aznar administration screwed up royally by jumping the gun and blaming los Vascos (the domestic terrorist group ETA) because the method of violence hardly resembled their signature approach.

I know it sounds odd for an American to take such an action so much to heart, but after just returning from that country a few weeks prior and developing a respect for their nation--it just all went to hell after they demonstrated how they lacked the cajones to stay in the fight for the long haul.

I guess being in such close proximity to the French has begun to take its toll.

Are the Spanish still backing the Socialists in popularity? With the continued threats against them, I'd guess at some point they're going to have to face up to the delimma - - Spain is right across from Muslim N.Africa, not tucked away north like France & Germany.

Their ancestors fought the Moors. These people...man, it's just sad.