2004: The day Spain caved

The day Spain caved: Twenty years ago, although it feels like a lot more than that, most of us woke to shocking news from Madrid: On March 11, 2004, 193 people are killed and nearly 2,000 are injured when 10 bombs explode on four trains in three Madrid-area…

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https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2024/03/the_day_spain_caved.html

Twenty years ago, although it feels like a lot more than that, most of us woke to shocking news from Madrid:

On March 11, 2004, 193 people are killed and nearly 2,000 are injured when 10 bombs explode on four trains in three Madrid-area train stations during a busy morning rush hour. The bombs were later found to have been detonated by mobile phones. The attacks, the deadliest against civilians on European soil since the 1988 Lockerbie airplane bombing, were initially suspected to be the work of the Basque separatist militant group ETA. This was soon proved incorrect as evidence mounted against an extreme Islamist militant group loosely tied to, but thought to be working in the name of, al-Qaida.

Investigators believe that all of the blasts were caused by improvised explosive devices that were packed in backpacks and brought aboard the trains. The terrorists seem to have targeted Madrid’s Atocha Station, at or near which seven of the bombs were detonated. The other bombs were detonated aboard trains near the El Poso del Tio Raimundo and Santa Eugenia stations, most likely because of delays in the trains’ journeys on their way to Atocha. Three other bombs did not detonate as planned and were later found intact.

A few days later, the socialists won the election by connecting the incident to Spanish troops in Iraq.  It was a pathetic exploitation of the tragedy, but it worked.

At the time, many concluded that the terrorists had won a big one in Spain. It was the first time that terrorists changed a government. Thankfully, it turned out to be the last as PM John Howard of Australia and President George W. Bush were reelected later in 2004.

Unfortunately, Spain's PM José Luis Rodriguez-Zapatero turned out to be worse than anyone could have imagined.  Spanish troops were removed from Iraq. The terrorists did not leave Spain. That's PM Rodriguez-Zapatero's legacy and the low point of his very mediocre career.

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Spain's 3-11, many years later

We remember the day that terrorism came to Spain or when 191 people were killed and 2,000 injured. 

Some call it "3-11" or "11 de Marzo".  It happened when 10 bombs exploded in the busy morning rush hour.

Within hours, candidate Rodriguez-Zapatero of the left was running around blaming Prime Minister José María Aznar and the Spanish government’s support of the Iraq war.  Zapatero, as we known him the West, took a shot at everybody but said little about the criminal terrorists who set off the bombs. 

Three days later, the left was back in power with a plurality of the vote.

Today, there are no Spanish troops in Iraq.  We can not say the same about terrorist cells in Spain!     

 

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

We remember Lawrence Welk (1903-92)

The legendary Lawrence Welk was born in North Dakota on this day in 1911.   He died in 1992.

Every baby boomer remembers The Lawrence Welk Show on Saturday night.     It was on the TV as my mom was getting dinner ready.    My parents loved it.

Welk was a very talented musician and one of the most popular hosts ever.   He understood his audience and gave them exactly what they wanted.    

His song "Calcutta" was # 1 in 1961.

P.S.  Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda...

Guest:  Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda...The Trump speech and Democrat response, Did President Biden sign those pardons and orders, Pushing back on campus protests, Ukraine-Russia war update, plus other stories.

 

Guest: Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda...The Trump speech and Democrat response, Did President Biden sign those pardons and orders, Pushing back on campus protests, Ukraine-Russia war update, plus other stories...........click to listen:

Send them home

Send them home: Cheers for the Trump administration. We learned yesterday that some students may going home sooner than expected. Here is the story: It was the administration’s announcement that it was canceling $400 million in federal grants and….

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https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2025/03/send_the_home.html

So get the word out. The U.S. is a wonderful place to go to college and get an education. However, we expect you to obey our laws and to respect people of other faiths as well.

Send them home - American Thinker https://t.co/sPIMefdq1T

— Silvio Canto. Jr. (@silvio_canto) March 10, 2025

Happy # 85 Chuck Norris

We say happy birthday to Chuck Norris who was born in Oklahoma on this day in 1940.   

We've followed his career from movies to "Walker Texas Ranger", a very popular TV series.     
Norris is also an author.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Happy # 81 John Briggs

We say happy birthday to John Briggs, who was born on this day in 1944.  

Talking about Briggs brings back a few memories from the early years of Milwaukee Brewers' baseball.

John broke with the Phillies in 1964, or the same year that Dick Allen was Rookie of the Year.   He spent the rest of the 1960's as a part time player with Philadelphia.

In 1971, John was traded to Milwaukee and had some very nice years:   80 HR & 259 RBI over 5 seasons.    He usually hit behind Davey May and George Scott during that time.

John ended his career with the Twins in 1976.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

 

We remember Steve Howe (1958-2006)

We remember Steve Howe who was born in Pontiac, Michigan, on this day in 1958.     

Steve broke with the LA Dodgers in 1980 and was selected the NL Rookie of the Year:  17 saves with a 2.66 ERA.   He was on the mound in game 6 of the 1981 World Series when the LA Dodgers beat the NY Yankees.

He spent the rest of his career fighting addictions.    Howe was suspended seven times for violating baseball's substance-abuse regulations.

Howe died in 2006 when his pickup truck went off the road.    In all, a very tragic life and another example that addictions will kill you.

Howe was on that 1981 Dodgers team that upset Montreal in the NLCS and then came back to beat New York in the World Series.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

 

'10 de Marzo' in Cuban history with Victor Triay, author

Before I was born, Cuba had a complicated history, or those "gobiernos de quita y pon" that Marisela Verena sings about in "Son de cuatro decadas".

Despite these problems, the island enjoyed economic prosperity and Cubans learned to live their lives around the frequent political upheaval.

According to Cuba 1952 – 1959, Fulgencio Batista led a group of disaffected military officers and a handful of political activists to overthrow President Carlos Prío Socarrás [1948 – 1952].  It turned out to be an easy and bloodless change on this day in 1952.

My late parents did not remember this day very fondly! My guess is that most Cubans of their generation don’t either!

We discussed “10 de Marzo” with author Victor Triay.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

Listen to ""10 de Marzo" in Cuban history with Victor Triay, author" on Spreaker.

We remember Sara Montiel (1928-2013)

We remember the great Sara Montiel!   She was born in Spain on this day in 1928 and died in 2013.

As a kid, I recall my grandmother humming "La Violetera", a song made very popular by Sara Montiel.  She would look at me and sing this song!

Sara's career included movies and recordings.

She was clearly one of the most consequential female stars of the Spanish speaking world.

Let me dedicate this one to my late "Abuela Senda".  I think that she would loved my salute to Sarita Montiel.  

 P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

1988: Andy Gibb died at age 30!

Who remembers hearing that Andy Gibb died on this day in 1988?  He had just turned 30 a few days before.

Andy was only 19 when hit the music charts in 1977 with "I just want to be your everything", a song written and produced by his older brother Barry Gibb.  

His recordings were on the pop charts for the next 3 years, from "Shadow Dancing", to "Everlasting love" to "Don't throw it all away" to "Desire" and "I can't help it", a duet with Olivia Newton-John.

Andy's career eventually faded in the 1980's and he faced several addiction problems.  His death was a reminder that drugs will kill you.

Andy sold millions of 45's and LP's.

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.

 

The Texas Report with George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative.

Guest: George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative.   The Trump speech and Democrat response, The Reagan "evil empire" speech 1982 plus a look at Texas issues....

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The week in review with Bill Katz the editor of Urgent Agenda...

The Texas report with George Rodriguez, South Texas conservative.