March 11, 2004, exactly two and a half years since Sept. 11, terrorists struck yet another western country, Spain.
But I’m not going to address reasons for the attack, or the history of terrorist attacks by the Basque separatist army in Spain, or whether the attack was al-Qaida related or by some other terrorist group.
I’m going to discuss the effects and why they are important to note.
Scenes of mass protests — millions flooding streets taking a stand against terrorism, saying individually and as a nation that Spain will not be drug into the war on terror, were splattered all over newspapers and television screens across America.
To me, this is a remnant of a similar effect seen in the United States after the attacks on the World Trade Center, but much more poignant.
The “rally around the flag” effect was the American version, spurred on by catchphrases coined by the Bush administration and the resultant “war on terror.”
What is important to note here is the display of nationalism.
Mass protests similar to those seen in Spain would have never happened in the United States.
All across Europe similar displays have been seen throughout history, ranging from violent uprisings to peaceful stands, but not in America.
Sure, we protest, mostly in the past and during the Vietnam War, but nothing to the scale or the proportion seen in Spain recently.
If America had spontaneously coordinated such a protest after terrorism came onto our soil, the sheer numbers would impact more terrorists.
They would see a united country not willing to put up with terrorism, more than any number of troops, threats or bombs ever could.
People speak of patriotism, wear American flag pins and paste “never forget” bumper stickers on their cars, but do not physically unite with their fellow countrymen and women to say “I will not stand for this kind of violence in my country.”
To me, what was seen in Spain was more of a patriotic gesture than anything I’ve seen in my lifetime in America — granted that’s only 20 years.
I guess for Spain, a country that has had terrorists bomb their trains before, enough was enough.
As much as I hate to say it, it would take more terrorist attacks on U.S. soil before America can be able to show such patriotism as Spain has shown.
Now, some may argue the possibility of Spain pulling out of Iraq is unpatriotic or yielding to what terrorists want.
But unlike the United States, that expanded the “war on terror” to any countries harboring terrorists.
Spain chose a different route.
The Socialist Workers Party took over the Spanish government in a recent election and decided to possibly withdraw troops from Iraq if the U.N. Security Council doesn’t take over control by June 30.
While some Americans are upset that a fellow supporter of the conquest in Iraq and a fellow western nation has backed out on the war, people shouldn’t forget who Spain is looking out for.
Obviously for Spain, the conquest in Iraq has not made their world any safer, so for them, their own security is in jeopardy.
Spain’s change in rule and stance on Iraq is a result of individuals motivated by anger and fear, but united in keeping its own country together and safer.
If the United States practiced actions that favored thinking about why we were attacked as opposed to how many countries can pay for what happened, maybe there wouldn’t have been provocations to incite war in the first place.
People will complain and say I’m not a patriot, but I believe in keeping myself and future generations safe as much as the people with American flag pins and bumper stickers.
I just believe actions speak louder than words and showing true unity, as displayed in Spain, takes more courage and nationalism than just sticking a slogan on the back of my car.