# God-Damned mother-effing coward Spaniards. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 15, 2004, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324 "2004-03-15T00:16:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Chaco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Chaco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chaco)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/81 "2004-03-15T06:36:24Z")
[This](http://http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040315/ap_on_re_eu/spain_elections&cid=518&ncid=716) article addresses some of the issues that have been brought up here. First of all, it was estimated that the governing party would win the election by a margin of 3 to 5 percent. This could have made them even depending on the margin of error. Secondly, people quoted in this article state that the reason they voted out the governing party was because they were angry at them sending troops to Iraq. The Spanish people were sick of not having their voice heard. Now the people have spoken and this, to me, is true democracy. The bombings that took place a few days ago inspired more people to go vote. What I would like to know from the OP is if you believe that “the terrorists have won” how will the results from this election benefit Al Qaeda? ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/82 "2004-03-15T06:36:43Z")
^^^that’s not supposed to look like i’m ticked at **xcheopis** , i just quoted him since he stated why i was ticked off. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/83 "2004-03-15T06:41:24Z")
Feeling better, Tars? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Muad\_Dib](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/35a633/32.png) [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/84 "2004-03-15T06:49:30Z")
> [@Chaco](#): > > What I would like to know from the OP is if you believe that “the terrorists have won” how will the results from this election benefit Al Qaeda? They will believe (and reasonably so) that terrorism works. That they can effect the workings of governments to their benefit through means of mass terror and because of this further terror will ensue. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/85 "2004-03-15T06:53:04Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > Feeling better, Tars? 😉 good enough, and getting pretty bored. typing while half lying down is also not much fun, if i get really bored i’ll start concepts for a bad movie review website i’ve been planning for a while…i’m watching many lately since i can’t move much. thanx ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/86 "2004-03-15T06:53:45Z")
Does anyone actually think that the re election of the Popular Party would have **discouraged** Al Queda? They blow up stuff. They’re terrorists, that’s what they do. Are we expecting them to go, “In Allah’s name, they kept them in power! I guess we’d better give up the plans then.” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/87 "2004-03-15T06:58:18Z")
I’m pretty sure they’re wrong about that, because I’m pretty sure these people are nuts. Crazy people, as a general rule, tend to be weak at geopolitical strategizing. The most important risk from a terrorist attack isn’t surrender and appeasement, its wildly disproportionate and/or inappropriate response. ---
**Author:** ![istara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/88 "2004-03-15T07:00:24Z")
What a stupid fucking offensive wank of an OP. The Spanish government’s popularity has been plummeting for long before the terror attacks. 90% of Spaniards oppposed the illegal US invasion of Iraq, yet its slimy president went licking Bush’s balls nonetheless. So they voted for a change of government. Maybe they were sick of their current rulers’ inability to deal with the threat of terrorism, and prefer to have rulers with a less knee-jerk, imperialistic, Bush-sucking mentality. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/89 "2004-03-15T07:04:06Z")
> [@Tars Tarkas](#): > > good enough, and getting pretty bored. typing while half lying down is also not much fun, if i get really bored i’ll start concepts for a bad movie review website i’ve been planning for a while…i’m watching many lately since i can’t move much. > > thanx You’re welcome. I’m glad to hear you’re doing better. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/90 "2004-03-15T07:05:03Z")
"If we vote PSOE, then al-Qaeda might attack again! I’m scared! I guess we’d better vote for the PP despite being massively against their policy in Iraq. “Voting for a party we disagree with because we’re scared of being bombed again – that’ll show those terrorists that they can’t affect the democratic process!” ---
**Author:** ![Age\_Quod\_Agis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d07c76/32.png) [@Age\_Quod\_Agis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Age_Quod_Agis)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/91 "2004-03-15T07:17:57Z")
> [@gluteus maximus](#): > > This seems to be what ‘The New World Order’ is going to be all about… and I mean from whatever side you’re on… as long as we keep on fighting fire with fire, and taking and eye for an eye. Sure, 'cause what the terrorists really need is a hug. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/92 "2004-03-15T07:21:59Z")
from what i’m reading more Spanish people are mad that the gov’t was limiting info on the bombing and making it look like the ETA so they could politicize it (even maybe forbiding info that it wasn’t from being released until after the election) so that’s why they got ticked off and voted those idiots out. Good riddance to bad garbage, i say. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/93 "2004-03-15T07:22:08Z")
[QUOTE=Raygun99] Does anyone actually think that the re election of the Popular Party would have **discouraged** Al Queda? QUOTE] Nah. But you can bet your ass that this electoral event will be featured in all the promotional videos presented to young wannabee wahabis in the madassas, along with the glorious footage of the falling twin towers. Just the concept (however false it may be) that the moral strength of the infidel is so weak and bending that it would capitulate under the fear of the sword of Allah must be intoxicating to the young impressionable minds recruited as frontline warriors and ordinance in His service. Clearly, what this election tells the recruits is that their terror can overthrow governments by striking fear in the population. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/94 "2004-03-15T07:24:16Z")
[QUOTE=grienspace] > [@Raygun99](#): > > Does anyone actually think that the re election of the Popular Party would have **discouraged** Al Queda? QUOTE] > > Nah. But you can bet your ass that this electoral event will be featured in all the promotional videos presented to young wannabee wahabis in the madassas, along with the glorious footage of the falling twin towers. Just the concept (however false it may be) that the moral strength of the infidel is so weak and bending that it would capitulate under the fear of the sword of Allah must be intoxicating to the young impressionable minds recruited as frontline warriors and ordinance in His service. Clearly, what this election tells the recruits is that their terror can overthrow governments by striking fear in the population. They would have found another excuse. ---
**Author:** ![Chaco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Chaco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chaco)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/95 "2004-03-15T07:25:17Z")
> [@Muad'Dib](#): > > They will believe (and reasonably so) that terrorism works. That they can effect the workings of governments to their benefit through means of mass terror and because of this further terror will ensue. Do you believe that Al Qaeda’s intent was to get the Socialists elected? How will Al Qaeda benefit from the Socialists being elected? If they had left a letter saying vote Socialist or we’ll kill you, then I would agree. In the article I attached it says the Socialists are just as dedicated to fighting terrorism. I assume, as do the Spanish voters, that they will be more likely to actually fight terrorism and not waste time or resources on something else (Iraq). ---
**Author:** ![Chaco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Chaco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chaco)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/96 "2004-03-15T07:31:43Z")
[QUOTE=grienspace] > [@Raygun99](#): > > Does anyone actually think that the re election of the Popular Party would have **discouraged** Al Queda? QUOTE] > > Nah. But you can bet your ass that this electoral event will be featured in all the promotional videos presented to young wannabee wahabis in the madassas, along with the glorious footage of the falling twin towers. Just the concept (however false it may be) that the moral strength of the infidel is so weak and bending that it would capitulate under the fear of the sword of Allah must be intoxicating to the young impressionable minds recruited as frontline warriors and ordinance in His service. Clearly, what this election tells the recruits is that their terror can overthrow governments by striking fear in the population. I fail to see how the current government was overthrown. A general election was held and the current party lost. How can anyone say for sure that the attacks helped 1) the Socialists win and 2) benefit Al Qaeda. I contend that the attacks helped get more people to vote not change their minds. ---
**Author:** ![Age\_Quod\_Agis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d07c76/32.png) [@Age\_Quod\_Agis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Age_Quod_Agis)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/97 "2004-03-15T07:31:45Z")
> [@minty green](#): > > (1) Do you seriously think that al Qaeda give a rodent’s patootie which party is in the majority in Spain? Let’s see: one party has sent troops to kill them, and would likely do so again. One party opposed sending troops to kill them, and would likely continue to support an ideology of “limited engagement.” Yes, I think they care. I don’t think they’ll stop killing Spanish civilians, but I think they care what the Spanish do in return. > [@minty green](#): > > (2) Do you seriously think that the Socialists–ignorant though they may be when it comes to all matters economic–are going to be pushovers when it comes to terrorism? Hopefully they won’t be pushovers. But compared to the recently ousted conservatives, yes, I think they’ll be more pushover-ish. > [@minty green](#): > > (3) Do you seriously think that the thing that supposedly pissed off al Qaeda–supporting the war against Iraq–has a goddamned thing to do with the fight against al Qaeda? Yes. I think the war in Iraq was about (among other things, including the apparently invisible WMD) creating stability in the ME, and opposing regimes that foster and support terrorism in all its forms. > [@minty green](#): > > (4) Do you seriously think that all those millions upon millions of Spaniards who showed up in the streets two days ago to protest againt terrorism are a bunch of fucking cowards? No. But I do think the millions upon millions of Spanish voters that ousted the conservative government, hoping that al Queda will now leave them alone, took the cowards way out. [Caveat: I know not all Spanish voters went socialist because of their opposition to the conservative’s support of American policy in Iraq and elsewhere, but if the news reports are to be believed, many of them did.] > [@minty green](#): > > (5) Just how retarded are you, anyway? Pretty retarded, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![RexDart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b77776/32.png) [@RexDart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RexDart)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/98 "2004-03-15T08:01:43Z")
> [@Tars Tarkas](#): > > God damn it. I’m not going to bother to copy and paste what i said there over here. Needless to say, i disagree with the OP. I also don’t care to copy and paste my comments from over there. (Also, is GBS public again, otherwise why was a link there given?) To sum up my remarks on this situation: Socialists suck. They suck big time. They couldn’t possibly suck more, yet every day brings a new height of suck-ness, as they break their own levels, which surely were the previous record of suck-i-tude. They set the curve for suck. Also I suppose that now terrorists will try the same thing here, so as to get their friend John Kerry elected, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Age\_Quod\_Agis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d07c76/32.png) [@Age\_Quod\_Agis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Age_Quod_Agis)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/99 "2004-03-15T08:04:07Z")
> [@Tars Tarkas](#): > > from what i’m reading more Spanish people are mad that the gov’t was limiting info on the bombing and making it look like the ETA so they could politicize it (even maybe forbiding info that it wasn’t from being released until after the election) so that’s why they got ticked off and voted those idiots out. Good riddance to bad garbage, i say. If that’s true, then why didn’t they “limit” the info until after the election? It’s not like we’re talking about a delay of even a week, are we? I’d say they released the info relatively quickly. But hey, I’m pretty retarded, so, grain of salt. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324/100 "2004-03-15T08:09:46Z")
> [@](#): > > This vote was a major reversal of public opinion towards the government and a clear victory for al Qaeda. It was not a “major reversal,” numbskull. Recent polls showed the Popular Party held a slim lead to begin with. Would the Socialists have won anyway? I don’t know. But clearly a lot of people liked the idea of ending Spanish support for the coalition in Iraq to begin with. > [@](#): > > Let’s see: one party has sent troops to kill them, and would likely do so again. One party opposed sending troops to kill them, and would likely continue to support an ideology of “limited engagement.” When did Spain send troops to kill Al Qaeda? The dispute was over Spanish support for the war in Iraq, which had nothing to fucking do with Al Qaeda. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-damned-mother-effing-coward-spaniards/234324.md?page=6)