Without intending any disrespect to the dead of Bali, Israel, or of course

Madrid, I think the Spanish election result is the worst thing to happen yet

in the War on Terror. It is a huge victory for Al Qaeda, their greatest to

date. Not even 9/11 changed any consequential government. (Unless you

count New York City’s, which I don’t.)

You can argue that last week’s terror bombings were not the main factor in

this change of government, and you may be correct. What matters, however,

is whether Al Qaeda, and their potential recruits, BELIEVE it was the main

factor. I have no doubt they do so believe. Greatly heartened, they are

back on their feet and swinging, asking themselves which Western election

result they would like to change next.

The blame must, of course, fall squarely on the Spanish electorate. It

would be wrong to think, however, that there is anything peculiarly Spanish

about their abject surrender. There has only been one instance in recent

years of a War on Terror being fought to any kind of conclusion, and that

was the war between Britain and the Irish terrorists. That war ended, or at

any rate quiesced, with a near-total surrender on the part of the British.

Irish terrorist capos are now ensconced in ministerial positions in London

and Ireland, on salaries paid for by British taxpayers. Their foot

soldiers, those serving jail time, have been pardoned and let free. Their

arms caches are all intact. They control large areas of Northern Ireland

(and some in the Irish Republic, too) where police simply will not go.

This will be the pattern, I fear. Confronted with terrorism like Al

Qaeda’s, the pampered, fat, comfortable electorates of the West will not

fight. They will jump to do the terrorists’ bidding. Change our

government? yes, Sir! Stop giving support to President Bush? Yes, yes,

Sir! Jump, you flabby swine! How high, Sir?

The West will pay the Danegeld. Does this apply to the USA, too? I wish I

could say I felt sure it didn’t. In despair, I reach for my Kipling.