"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
Politically neutral, historical observation:

Spain is a special case.
The culture and language is a blend of
Roman and Moorish influences.
Their southern neighbors are muslims.

Spain has a tragic history that includes incidents where social,
religious, and
cultural changes were forced upon the vanquished by the victors. The
classic
example is the expulsion of 1492, when the successful military alliance of
Aragon and Castile drove the Muslim armies from
southern Spain. Following the war, Spain became a "Catholic" country. This
was
not accomplished by missionaries proselytizing the community, but by
declaring
gypsies, Jews, and Muslims enemies of the state. Tens of thousands
fled the country, forfeiting all property to
Ferdinand and Isabella. Untold thousands more were publicly executed, some
by
crucifixion and others by immolation.
All those (except gypsies) who would not flee and who wanted to avoid
execution
were allowed to renounce their religion
and embrace Catholicism. It was at this time that the all powerful
"Spanish
Inquisition" began....a prototype for religious fascism and abused,
dictatorial
powers.



You left out a little history. The Muslim armies conquered Spain a few
years before, imposing there religion on Spain. Same as they did in most of
the Muslim countries. "Convert or die". Is the reason the Mohammedism
(before 1950, what Muslim was known as) was/is the fastest spreading
religion in history. Seems as if we are coming ful circle. When will they
convert to muslim to prevent more terrorist attacks?

You left out a little history. The Muslim armies conquered Spain a few
years before, imposing there religion on Spain.

So true, although there really wasn't a "Spain" as we know it today when the
Moors invaded. Also left out the Spanish missions to the Western Hemisphere,
etc etc. The Iberian Peninsula has indeed been the victim of forced religious,
political, and philosophical conversions as well as the perpetrator.

My point being; Spain may have greater reason to be wary of wars that are
religious
(or could be construed as religious) in nature. While the Alliance does not
characterize the war as "religious," the rabble rousers on other side do.

There is no doubt that Spaniards are far more familiar with Islamic culture and
tradition than most residents of the United States, if for no other reasons
than a long cultural history rich in Moorish influence and Northern Africa so
incredibly close by.

"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
You left out a little history. The Muslim armies conquered Spain a few
years before, imposing there religion on Spain.

So true, although there really wasn't a "Spain" as we know it today when
the
Moors invaded. Also left out the Spanish missions to the Western
Hemisphere,
etc etc. The Iberian Peninsula has indeed been the victim of forced
religious,
political, and philosophical conversions as well as the perpetrator.

My point being; Spain may have greater reason to be wary of wars that are
religious
(or could be construed as religious) in nature. While the Alliance does
not
characterize the war as "religious," the rabble rousers on other side do.

There is no doubt that Spaniards are far more familiar with Islamic
culture and
tradition than most residents of the United States, if for no other
reasons
than a long cultural history rich in Moorish influence and Northern Africa
so
incredibly close by.



The Moors / Muslims conquered all the way into present day France. But
Southern Provence was part of Catalan, present day Barcelona. up the coast
around southern France to isle of Corsica. The French Croissant is the
Moorish / Turkish cresent emblem. At least the Moors, relate to boats and
waters.

In article , gould0738
@aol.com says...
Politically neutral, historical observation:

Spain is a special case.
The culture and language is a blend of
Roman and Moorish influences.
Their southern neighbors are muslims.

....snip...

Failure to appreciate the historial context from which any nation enters a war
is a failure to understand the enemy, (a most serious problem), or a failure to
understand an ally, (and that can have serious, unexpected consequences as
well). We cannot assume that our allies "adopt" American historical
perspectives when they rally to an American cause.

How in G-d's name can we expect our fearless leader, hater of the
educated, to understand the context of Spain's history?

George is country. Yer either fer him er agin him.

jps

"Bert Robbins" wrote in message ...
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Spain Pulls Troops from Iraq, 10 U.S. Troops Killed
Sun Apr 18, 2004 06:20 PM ET

By Andrew Marshall

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Spain said Sunday it would withdraw its 1,400 troops
in Iraq as soon as possible, dealing a major blow to the U.S.-led
coalition as 10 U.S. soldiers were killed in fierce fighting against
guerrillas.


Socialist pussies! They are cowering in fear and the Muslims will soon be
using Spain as a launching pad for terrorist attacks in the rest of Europe.

Another day in rec.boats. I see 25 threads at a time with Google
groups. Today 21 of the first 25 are all off-topic.