The blood of Spain runs in my veins. Today it runs cold. It has been 512 years since the last days of the Reconquista and apparently, that is how long it takes to rid the Spaniards memory of life under the heel of Islamofascism. The Islamists remember, they believe in their hearts that Andalusia, the Iberian peninsula, once cornerstones of a far flung Islamic empire, will once again be theirs. If today the Spanish people are celebrating the socialist victory, they are delusional. They worship before the false gods of appeasement and internationalism. Mankind may represent a species, but within that species there are the numerous fractures of tribalism. It has always been so and will remain. No matter the fondest hopes and desires of transnationalists and socialists and yes, even Monsieur Kerry. Sadly, there was no El Cid to guide the voting hands of the Spanish public this weekend. No warrior leader to assure them that this fight is right, necessary and for the salvation of Western Civilization.

Last week, reader Dan Lynch wrote to me: Ya know, I have always been fascinated with European history in the 1930s. I never dreamed I would have the chance to literally live through it. On Saturday Spanairds proved the prescience of Mr. Lynch. It has taken a mere two days in the aftermath of the election to show us the course of leftist politicians in Europe. We are too lazy and craven to shoulder the burden of defending Western Civilization and our secular ways. We condemn the United States for liberating 50 million people and causing continued terrorism around the world. Of course, there are so many intellectual holes in the left's thinking, so many contradictions and so much hypocrisy I can't detail it all here. Suffice it to say that Spain has sent a message to the terrorists. You win. Terrorism is bad when it is homegrown and only kills a few people a year. Then we will fight it with determination. When you commit terrorist attacks on a grand scale, we bow before you and accede to your demands. As I replied to reader Dan Lynch:

It looks increasingly to me as though it is falling to the English speaking peoples of the world to defend Western Civilization and of those, perhaps only half are willing. The other half are on their way to Munich to
greet herr Hitler.

What is most horrifying to me is the thought that America might itself be on the road to Munich should our stupidity prevail and we elect Jean "le condiment" Kerry. Can we really abandon the lessons of history so readily? Have we like the Europeans already forgotten that freedom for Europe is often secured by the barrels of American musketry? I must believe that we are more realistic than our dreamer cousins across the Atlantic. The local parallel to what happened in Spain is so easily understood that I can only assume that the deeply intellectual and progressive euros missed the point. Let explain it in terms even the most dimwitted dem can understand. What transpired in Spain is really nothing more than a shakedown, an extortion scam like the kind run by gangsters all over the world. In our scenario, you are a shopkeeper in Los Angeles. The local Crip (or Blood, we're equal opportunity around here) gang leader comes by and makes you an offer you can't refuse. Pay them $1,000 a month or your store becomes an inviting target for robbery or arson. You accede to the demand and what happens? Soon the price for protection becomes 2 thousand or more. What do you do?

You have three options. You can continue to pay. You can take matters into your own hands, arm yourself, resist the gang and perhaps pay with your livelihood or maybe your life or you can call the police in to handle it. None of the choices are particularly savory but Spain this weekend past elected choice number 1. Freedom loving people the world over would select option #2 and it will be only a matter of time before Europe either capitulates to the twin spectres of unchecked Muslim immigration and terror or they pick option 3 and dial 1-800-USA-HELP.

It boggles the mind that a nation that could produce an El Cid, could now produce a Daladier or Petain. Adios Espana, vaya con dios, we'll see you when you return from Munich. Just don't wave a piece of paper in the air and proclaim peace in our time for like Chamberlain, you have only purchased for yourselves a fraction of time and that at the expense of others who will die in other cities now that you have bowed to terrorist pressure. Spain you will return. You will return to the fold of Western Christendom and Civilization or you will suffer a reverse Reconquista wherein your towns, fields and churches will be overrun by Radical Islam. It is sad to see that we in America remember the lessons of European History better than the progressive euros who lived them. Perhaps the proximity to the events clouds the judgement but that can be no excuse for faltering in the face of a struggle for Civilization. It really is as President Bush stated. You're either with us, or you are with the terrorists. It is beyond comprehension that the "us" seem to be getting fewer in what is so plainly a fight against absolute evil. I'm mad enough to spit or make another donation to the Republican National Commitee. Maybe I'll do both. If you don't believe that terrorism, not the economy is the overriding issue of our times, then you aren't informed enough to vote, for the former directly impacts the latter. If you honestly believe that Jean "Effing" Kerry will do a better job combatting terrorism by issuing subpoenas and arrest warrants instead of combat operations orders and hot lead, then I guess you might as well get that white flag ready.

Now then I promised the lovely and talented Beth Altergott of Sparks, Nv. a dessert recipe this week and so I won't even mention the 3 racks of perfectly crafted, pecan and applewood smoked ribs that I turned out yesterday. Even did one on the flowerpot smoker. If any of you out there yearn for a smoker that works like a champ, retains heat, maintains even cooking temperature and yet can't afford one next week I'll post instructions for building one out of a flower pot. Yes, a flower pot. You'll thank me later...trust me. Anyway, without further delay Ms. Beth, here you go, another hit from Terry Thompson's Cajun Creole Cooking, Sweet Potato-Pecan Pie.

One pie crust
2 tbsps unsalted butter or margarine, melted
1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potatoes. (1 lg. sweet potato)
2 eggs slightly beaten
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup of dark corn syrup
1 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups of chopped pecans

Press your chilled pie crust into a 9 inch pie pan and preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, stir butter or margarine into sweet potatos. Add all remaining ingredients except the pecans. Blend well. Pour the filling into the pie crust and then evenly sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top of the pie. Bake the pie in preheated oven until a knife inserted into the middle of the pie comes out clean. 40-45 mins. Cool the pie on a rack until you get it back to room temperature. I like to warm mine back up a little in the microwave before serving with vanilla ice cream. Aiiiiieeee!!! Good eatin' on ya Ms. Beth and if you make this, I'll be expecting a big 'ol slice...

Smilin' Paul Villa U.S. Senate 2004
cyber-Congressman, R-Reno
Proud Member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and 2 SUV Family