Today, all over the country of Spain the people were crowding the streets, lighting candles and making vigils in rememberance of the deceased that found their tragic end during the bombing of a train. On Thursday, a cowardly terrorist attack targeted, with deadly efficienc,y a local transit train carrying thousands of people. Two explosions erupted in two of the cars, killing 199 people and wounding about 1, 440 or more people. It has been one of the most devastating attacks the people have ever been unfortunate enough to be caught in. Not since the days of dictator Franco, has their been such bloodshed.
And as the news stations across the globe transmitted the disturbing images of bodies being salvaged and bloody survivors fleeing in horror, one question was asked repetitively: who was behind the attack? At first, many were quick to point the finger at the guerilla tactic network known as ETA. ETA is a small terrorist network from the region of Basque, who for years have plauged the Spanish government with guerilla attacks on the cities of Spain, in an attempt to liberate their homeland of Basque. Their culpability in these cowardly acts seemed almost certain; the explosives used matched that of ETA's usual arsenals, and perhaps the most incriminating factor being that the explosion came in the wake of a federal election, and threats posted by the network. But, the only evidence at the time to dispute such accusations was that ETA never hit Spain with such force and their attacks never claimed more than a few lives (still unjustifiable in the end). However, as police and government officials searched the wreckage, new evidence was found, shrowding culpability.
Found amoung the debris was a tape and note, allegedly from Al-Quidea. The tape recites verses from the Koran, while the message on paper proclaims their involvement and the fact that they are ready for another attack on the US. So, as dawn slowly marched toward the skies peak, the world lay confused on whose shoulders the blame should fall, while the people of Spain lay crushed at the loss of lives. However, an anonymous caller on behalf ETA, called a local station and claimed no involvement on their part. While on Arabic paper was contacted by another anonymous being, this one from the same people who hit the Twin Towers in 2001, claiming responsibilty. So, today the world decided that once again the blood of the innocent lies on the hands of Al-Quieda (there is still debate).
So, one may wonder why launch an attack on Spain? Well, Spain was a large supporter of both American President Bush's wars, on Afganistan and Iraq. Spain showed military support during the first campaign. Violence begets violence, and no civilities are spared, and no humanity is shown.
Is anyone sick of terrorism? I mean, whether the blame of such atrocities falls on Al-Quieda or on ETA, the end is always the same- innocent people die. Some would argue that such is the price needed to buy freedom or whatever these people want. I say NO, there is no way to justify the taking of lives, especially innocent ones. War is no excuse for death. When you kill somebody it doesn't matter why you did it, the effects are real and you are still robbing people of life ( a right that you were never given), and the effects ripple throughout your life. After Vietnam, many soldiers came home to face such realities. Bush's war on Iraq, claimed many lives during the bombing and we failed to fully speak out against it. Sean penn, acclaimed and award winning actor, took up the cross and went to Iraq to bring home the gorey truth of the States almighty war. Hasn't enough blood been shed? After 9/11's attacks and loss of life, one would stop and say- haven't we seen enough sorrow. But no, viloence begets violence. Innocence seems always the first to face death.
But do we really care, at home in North America? Some do, most don't. Hell, it happened so far away from our couches that the ripples of the effect that reach us, are minor and warrant no attention from us. We change the channel and forget about such things, wallowing in TV's Primetime. I think we need to wake up. The world cared when 9/11 hit america. I think we should do the same..are we so numb to violence and terrorism, after so few years spent in it's wake. People have to live with such threats all the time, everyday. What can you do? Get up and pray for them. It doesn't matter who you pray to and what place of worship you choose, just whisper a prayer- for humanity's sake. It's time we cared!
So, to all the people in Spain, who are in mourning, I offer you my condolences. I pray that God will provide you the answers and hope needed to pass through this difficult time. I saw a shot of your vigil from a helicopter shot on the news and was tocuhed to see the streets lined with Spainish people carrying red candles. Only 200 died, thousand injured. But to those who escaped such tragedy, or bear no realation to the deceased, I admire your show of support in pouring out onto the streets to mourn and pray for those souls you did not even know perhaps, simply in an act of humanity to console your brethren countrymen. To the world I say: that is how you battle hate - through acts of humanity. Death is the great equalizer.No one has the right to take lives. No matter what faith you are, no matter what race or clolour you are, no matter what part of the world you come from or what language you speak, we all are human and prone to death. We are the same, for all our differences...isn't it time we started acting like it...human!
And as the news stations across the globe transmitted the disturbing images of bodies being salvaged and bloody survivors fleeing in horror, one question was asked repetitively: who was behind the attack? At first, many were quick to point the finger at the guerilla tactic network known as ETA. ETA is a small terrorist network from the region of Basque, who for years have plauged the Spanish government with guerilla attacks on the cities of Spain, in an attempt to liberate their homeland of Basque. Their culpability in these cowardly acts seemed almost certain; the explosives used matched that of ETA's usual arsenals, and perhaps the most incriminating factor being that the explosion came in the wake of a federal election, and threats posted by the network. But, the only evidence at the time to dispute such accusations was that ETA never hit Spain with such force and their attacks never claimed more than a few lives (still unjustifiable in the end). However, as police and government officials searched the wreckage, new evidence was found, shrowding culpability.
Found amoung the debris was a tape and note, allegedly from Al-Quidea. The tape recites verses from the Koran, while the message on paper proclaims their involvement and the fact that they are ready for another attack on the US. So, as dawn slowly marched toward the skies peak, the world lay confused on whose shoulders the blame should fall, while the people of Spain lay crushed at the loss of lives. However, an anonymous caller on behalf ETA, called a local station and claimed no involvement on their part. While on Arabic paper was contacted by another anonymous being, this one from the same people who hit the Twin Towers in 2001, claiming responsibilty. So, today the world decided that once again the blood of the innocent lies on the hands of Al-Quieda (there is still debate).
So, one may wonder why launch an attack on Spain? Well, Spain was a large supporter of both American President Bush's wars, on Afganistan and Iraq. Spain showed military support during the first campaign. Violence begets violence, and no civilities are spared, and no humanity is shown.
Is anyone sick of terrorism? I mean, whether the blame of such atrocities falls on Al-Quieda or on ETA, the end is always the same- innocent people die. Some would argue that such is the price needed to buy freedom or whatever these people want. I say NO, there is no way to justify the taking of lives, especially innocent ones. War is no excuse for death. When you kill somebody it doesn't matter why you did it, the effects are real and you are still robbing people of life ( a right that you were never given), and the effects ripple throughout your life. After Vietnam, many soldiers came home to face such realities. Bush's war on Iraq, claimed many lives during the bombing and we failed to fully speak out against it. Sean penn, acclaimed and award winning actor, took up the cross and went to Iraq to bring home the gorey truth of the States almighty war. Hasn't enough blood been shed? After 9/11's attacks and loss of life, one would stop and say- haven't we seen enough sorrow. But no, viloence begets violence. Innocence seems always the first to face death.
But do we really care, at home in North America? Some do, most don't. Hell, it happened so far away from our couches that the ripples of the effect that reach us, are minor and warrant no attention from us. We change the channel and forget about such things, wallowing in TV's Primetime. I think we need to wake up. The world cared when 9/11 hit america. I think we should do the same..are we so numb to violence and terrorism, after so few years spent in it's wake. People have to live with such threats all the time, everyday. What can you do? Get up and pray for them. It doesn't matter who you pray to and what place of worship you choose, just whisper a prayer- for humanity's sake. It's time we cared!
So, to all the people in Spain, who are in mourning, I offer you my condolences. I pray that God will provide you the answers and hope needed to pass through this difficult time. I saw a shot of your vigil from a helicopter shot on the news and was tocuhed to see the streets lined with Spainish people carrying red candles. Only 200 died, thousand injured. But to those who escaped such tragedy, or bear no realation to the deceased, I admire your show of support in pouring out onto the streets to mourn and pray for those souls you did not even know perhaps, simply in an act of humanity to console your brethren countrymen. To the world I say: that is how you battle hate - through acts of humanity. Death is the great equalizer.No one has the right to take lives. No matter what faith you are, no matter what race or clolour you are, no matter what part of the world you come from or what language you speak, we all are human and prone to death. We are the same, for all our differences...isn't it time we started acting like it...human!