Spain

Of course, the downside to the bombing, aside from the carnage, is that the terrorists see it as a victory, which would reinforce their use of terrorism.

In a statement, obtained by two London-based Arabic language newspapers, the Abu Hafs al-Masri brigade claimed the attacks on Madrid represented a "victory" for the group.

"We gave the Spanish people a choice between war and peace, and they chose peace by electing the party that opposed the alliance with America in its war against Islam," the statement said.

Al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper quoted extensively from the statement, which said the group was planning further attacks, but would not target the US for fear of damaging President George W. Bush's re-election chances.

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Forgive me for glossing over the Spanish people's tribulations, but is that kind of surreal? Who is behind this? Is anybody in control? That's a great endorsement of George Bunnypants Bush. Does this mean the terrorists are for George? I think it does. If indeed it is truly a terrorist job and a terrorist message.

And does it make any sense? I mean, they are claiming that they were successful in routing out George's buddy in Spain, so why is it that they want to leave George in office? Are they just conflicted maniacs, or are there really different factions taking credit here? Wait, go back. I think whoever bombed the train, and whoever wrote the message, whether they're the same or not, are indeed conflicted maniacs. So what next?

"Yes, your foolishness and your religious fanaticism is what we want" to "wake up" the Islamic world, the statement said, addressing the US president.

Now there's the pot calling the kettle black.

I guess that makes some kind of convoluted sense. Keep George in office so he will continue to escalate the crusade, so that Islam rises up and conquers.

The brigade also claimed responsibility for the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad last year, and for last year's power cuts in the US and Canada.

But Gustavo de Aristegui, a spokesman for Spain's defeated conservative Popular Party dismissed the statement: "They are not capable of committing these attacks, much less of declaring a truce."

This group "is, according to anti-terrorism experts, not a very reliable terrorist organisation because they have never really acted in any terrorist act," he told the Associated Press news agency.

How do you know what to believe any more?

Keep those seatbelts on.

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.