Lessons From Madrid: Lies and Deception Don't Sell

March 16, 2004

Despite conservative rants about "terrorists winning the Spanish elections" – an inane argument exposing the right's utter contempt for the processes of democracy – the tragic terrorist bombings in Madrid highlight the inadequacy of a one-note approach to the war on terrorism and the political consequences of deceiving people on matters of life and death. At a fundraiser in Kentucky one day after the likely resurgence of al Qaeda sponsored violence in Europe, Vice President Cheney had the audacity to disparage the use of intelligence and law enforcement in fighting terrorism – an offensive undermining of our nation's counterterrorism efforts and clear evidence the administration has failed to provide a comprehensive approach to uprooting terrorist networks. As the Madrid bombings show, terrorists do not adhere to national borders or traditional uses of force.

• The nation needs a more comprehensive strategy for fighting global terrorism. As valiant and strong as our military is today, it is not designed to prevent terrorist cells in Madrid from bombing trains. The fight against terrorism requires all available tools in our arsenal – including the military, global intelligence, law enforcement, diplomacy, and economic and cultural capabilities – and not one-note lines about "awe inspiring" force and preemptive war trumpeted by the Bush administration. The world is a dangerous place and military action should be used whenever necessary to protect our interests. But preemptive wars alone against nation-states like Iraq do not stop train bombings in places like Madrid. They do not stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons from nations like Pakistan. And without more comprehensive efforts, they will not stop future terrorist attacks in the United States.
• The nation needs to substantially bolster homeland security efforts. Despite the ongoing capacity of groups like al Qaeda to inflict massive harm on civilians, the Bush administration has not devoted sufficient attention and resources to homeland security – particularly the nation's vulnerable ports, railways and cargo routes. Two and half years after 9/11, rail security efforts lag far behind improvements in aviation security and the Bush administration has yet to address a gaping hole in air cargo screening. Incredibly, as cities struggle to increase security for our national transportation system and other critical infrastructure, the administration has actually cut funding to help communities handle personnel and overtime costs.
• Leaders who deceive the public about matters of life and death pay a price. Prime Minister Aznar's deceptive statements about Basque separatists carrying out the Madrid bombings – clearly at odds with emerging facts and designed to deflect political blame for the attacks – touched a chord with Spanish voters. Coming on top of deceptions surrounding the Prestige oil spill and the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the message from Spanish voters was loud and clear – leaders who deceive the public will pay the price at the ballot box.

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