I’ve Never Been a Patriot, but Spain Standing Up to Trump Has Made Me One

[struth]

I’ve always been repulsed by flags. I’ve never sung along to a national anthem. I speak Catalan, one of Spain’s minority languages. And in the next World Cup I’ll be rooting for Holland, not Spain, because I’m a fan of their beautiful history of losses. No one would accuse me of being a patriot.

Nevertheless this week, when I heard President Trump say that Spain is a terrible ally and has nothing that the United States needs, when I saw that the leader of the so-called free world was threatening to cut off all trade with Spain, I felt an unusual pride in being Spanish. There is something epic about being on the receiving end of the fury of a tyrant, especially when that fury is brought about by a refusal to be his vassal.

The Spanish government triggered Mr. Trump’s ire after our prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced he would not allow the United States to use jointly operated military bases in the war against Iran. Those bases have been America’s to use since 1953, a time when Spain was isolated from the world, living under the dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco. In that era a shameful pact between our countries was sealed: Spain agreed to allow the United States to use military bases on its territory in exchange for money and what was essentially diplomatic recognition of a bloody, repressive regime.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/opinion/trump-spain-sanchez-iran-military-bases.html

There is a reason this editorial caught my eye. I recently watched the movie "Nuremberg" on Netflix and was struck with two particular scenes. In one, a US Army psychiatrist who was assigned to determine if the Germans accused of war crimes were competent to stand trial asks Hermann Goring what first attracted him to Hitler. Goring said, "He made us feel like Germans again. He told us we can reclaim our former glory." (Something that needs to be understood in the context of what happened to Germany after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.) A light bulb came on..............MAGA.

Later in the movie while Goring is on the witness stand he is asked if he would follow Hitler again, knowing what he knew then. He answered in the affirmative.

No, I'm not going down the silly road of comparing trump to Hitler. And I'm not implying trump is a fascist, though there are echoes of fascism in what he aspires to for the country.

But I did come away from the movie thinking it was perhaps the best explanation for why trump fans are so devoted to him absolutely, positively, no matter what. trump makes them feel emotions they like feeling. It could be resentment towards the "elites," anger towards illegal immigrants or anyone comprising "the other," frustration with their circumstances, a feeling of nostalgia for the past, or hatred towards those they believe have taken the US down the wrong path. IMO, only such powerful emotions could have created the permission structure allowing them to dismiss his many, many, MANY, shortcomings. Too many to repeat.

The movie concludes with the psychiatrist doing a radio interview about the book he wrote based on his observations. Citing his belief what happened with the citizenry of Germany could happen anywhere. He's been proven to be correct.

Nobody ever accused you of being a patriot. So don’t worry, we won’t start

 

[Dogmaphobe]

The US pulling out…

POTUS interruptus?

 

[sartre play]

POTUS interruptus?

Some one is doing it again, I PUSH IMFORMATIVE and get anything but, Mods what's the deal?

 

[Augustine_]

I’ve always been repulsed by flags. I’ve never sung along to a national anthem. I speak Catalan, one of Spain’s minority languages. And in the next World Cup I’ll be rooting for Holland, not Spain, because I’m a fan of their beautiful history of losses. No one would accuse me of being a patriot.

Nevertheless this week, when I heard President Trump say that Spain is a terrible ally and has nothing that the United States needs, when I saw that the leader of the so-called free world was threatening to cut off all trade with Spain, I felt an unusual pride in being Spanish. There is something epic about being on the receiving end of the fury of a tyrant, especially when that fury is brought about by a refusal to be his vassal.

The Spanish government triggered Mr. Trump’s ire after our prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced he would not allow the United States to use jointly operated military bases in the war against Iran. Those bases have been America’s to use since 1953, a time when Spain was isolated from the world, living under the dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco. In that era a shameful pact between our countries was sealed: Spain agreed to allow the United States to use military bases on its territory in exchange for money and what was essentially diplomatic recognition of a bloody, repressive regime.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/opinion/trump-spain-sanchez-iran-military-bases.html

There is a reason this editorial caught my eye. I recently watched the movie "Nuremberg" on Netflix and was struck with two particular scenes. In one, a US Army psychiatrist who was assigned to determine if the Germans accused of war crimes were competent to stand trial asks Hermann Goring what first attracted him to Hitler. Goring said, "He made us feel like Germans again. He told us we can reclaim our former glory." (Something that needs to be understood in the context of what happened to Germany after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.) A light bulb came on..............MAGA.

Later in the movie while Goring is on the witness stand he is asked if he would follow Hitler again, knowing what he knew then. He answered in the affirmative.

No, I'm not going down the silly road of comparing trump to Hitler. And I'm not implying trump is a fascist, though there are echoes of fascism in what he aspires to for the country.

But I did come away from the movie thinking it was perhaps the best explanation for why trump fans are so devoted to him absolutely, positively, no matter what. trump makes them feel emotions they like feeling. It could be resentment towards the "elites," anger towards illegal immigrants or anyone comprising "the other," frustration with their circumstances, a feeling of nostalgia for the past, or hatred towards those they believe have taken the US down the wrong path. IMO, only such powerful emotions could have created the permission structure allowing them to dismiss his many, many, MANY, shortcomings. Too many to repeat.

The movie concludes with the psychiatrist doing a radio interview about the book he wrote based on his observations. Citing his belief what happened with the citizenry of Germany could happen anywhere. He's been proven to be correct.

They leadership must not be littered all across the Epstein files

 

[Dekster]

I’ve always been repulsed by flags. I’ve never sung along to a national anthem. I speak Catalan, one of Spain’s minority languages. And in the next World Cup I’ll be rooting for Holland, not Spain, because I’m a fan of their beautiful history of losses. No one would accuse me of being a patriot.

Nevertheless this week, when I heard President Trump say that Spain is a terrible ally and has nothing that the United States needs, when I saw that the leader of the so-called free world was threatening to cut off all trade with Spain, I felt an unusual pride in being Spanish. There is something epic about being on the receiving end of the fury of a tyrant, especially when that fury is brought about by a refusal to be his vassal.

The Spanish government triggered Mr. Trump’s ire after our prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced he would not allow the United States to use jointly operated military bases in the war against Iran. Those bases have been America’s to use since 1953, a time when Spain was isolated from the world, living under the dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco. In that era a shameful pact between our countries was sealed: Spain agreed to allow the United States to use military bases on its territory in exchange for money and what was essentially diplomatic recognition of a bloody, repressive regime.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/opinion/trump-spain-sanchez-iran-military-bases.html

There is a reason this editorial caught my eye. I recently watched the movie "Nuremberg" on Netflix and was struck with two particular scenes. In one, a US Army psychiatrist who was assigned to determine if the Germans accused of war crimes were competent to stand trial asks Hermann Goring what first attracted him to Hitler. Goring said, "He made us feel like Germans again. He told us we can reclaim our former glory." (Something that needs to be understood in the context of what happened to Germany after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.) A light bulb came on..............MAGA.

Later in the movie while Goring is on the witness stand he is asked if he would follow Hitler again, knowing what he knew then. He answered in the affirmative.

No, I'm not going down the silly road of comparing trump to Hitler. And I'm not implying trump is a fascist, though there are echoes of fascism in what he aspires to for the country.

But I did come away from the movie thinking it was perhaps the best explanation for why trump fans are so devoted to him absolutely, positively, no matter what. trump makes them feel emotions they like feeling. It could be resentment towards the "elites," anger towards illegal immigrants or anyone comprising "the other," frustration with their circumstances, a feeling of nostalgia for the past, or hatred towards those they believe have taken the US down the wrong path. IMO, only such powerful emotions could have created the permission structure allowing them to dismiss his many, many, MANY, shortcomings. Too many to repeat.

The movie concludes with the psychiatrist doing a radio interview about the book he wrote based on his observations. Citing his belief what happened with the citizenry of Germany could happen anywhere. He's been proven to be correct.

Trump is the GOP version of Bernie Sanders--an outsider inside.

 

[0311]

I’ve always been repulsed by flags. I’ve never sung along to a national anthem. I speak Catalan, one of Spain’s minority languages. And in the next World Cup I’ll be rooting for Holland, not Spain, because I’m a fan of their beautiful history of losses. No one would accuse me of being a patriot.

Nevertheless this week, when I heard President Trump say that Spain is a terrible ally and has nothing that the United States needs, when I saw that the leader of the so-called free world was threatening to cut off all trade with Spain, I felt an unusual pride in being Spanish. There is something epic about being on the receiving end of the fury of a tyrant, especially when that fury is brought about by a refusal to be his vassal.

The Spanish government triggered Mr. Trump’s ire after our prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced he would not allow the United States to use jointly operated military bases in the war against Iran. Those bases have been America’s to use since 1953, a time when Spain was isolated from the world, living under the dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco. In that era a shameful pact between our countries was sealed: Spain agreed to allow the United States to use military bases on its territory in exchange for money and what was essentially diplomatic recognition of a bloody, repressive regime.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/opinion/trump-spain-sanchez-iran-military-bases.html

There is a reason this editorial caught my eye. I recently watched the movie "Nuremberg" on Netflix and was struck with two particular scenes. In one, a US Army psychiatrist who was assigned to determine if the Germans accused of war crimes were competent to stand trial asks Hermann Goring what first attracted him to Hitler. Goring said, "He made us feel like Germans again. He told us we can reclaim our former glory." (Something that needs to be understood in the context of what happened to Germany after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.) A light bulb came on..............MAGA.

Later in the movie while Goring is on the witness stand he is asked if he would follow Hitler again, knowing what he knew then. He answered in the affirmative.

No, I'm not going down the silly road of comparing trump to Hitler. And I'm not implying trump is a fascist, though there are echoes of fascism in what he aspires to for the country.

But I did come away from the movie thinking it was perhaps the best explanation for why trump fans are so devoted to him absolutely, positively, no matter what. trump makes them feel emotions they like feeling. It could be resentment towards the "elites," anger towards illegal immigrants or anyone comprising "the other," frustration with their circumstances, a feeling of nostalgia for the past, or hatred towards those they believe have taken the US down the wrong path. IMO, only such powerful emotions could have created the permission structure allowing them to dismiss his many, many, MANY, shortcomings. Too many to repeat.

The movie concludes with the psychiatrist doing a radio interview about the book he wrote based on his observations. Citing his belief what happened with the citizenry of Germany could happen anywhere. He's been proven to be correct.

What Spain did is covered by the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

Spain and Spain decides what Military Operations and CANNOT staged in their country. It well within the Rights of the Government of Spain to NO to 47 and Unconstitutional War. I applaud them.

 

[ColonelAngus]

Cortes would be proud of American occupation of foreign lands.

He would encourage American soldiers to impregnate Persian women.

 

[Lesh]

Imagine walking around with ancestors who conquered native land and enslaved indigenous people and raped their women.

That is why Spanish is the language spoken from Mexico all the way to Antarctica. They are not speaking FRENCH GERMAN ENGLISH SWEDISH NORWEGIAN ITALIAN….

They speak SPANISH because SPAIN STOLE THAT LAND.

Did they GIVE IT BACK to the indigenous tribes?

Nope.

Also, the indigenous tribes conquered each other and enslaved and raped.

That’s virtually all of us stupid

Sit in the corner

 

[struth]

That’s virtually all of us stupid

Sit on the corners

Nah I’m not Spanish or have Spanish blood

 

[Lesh]

Nah I’m not Spanish or have Spanish blood

Vitally all of us areas guilty of the thing mentioned
The Spanish were not the only nation indulging in that behavior you friggin moron

 

[struth]

Vitally all of us areas guilty of the thing mentioned
The Spanish were not the only nation indulging in that behavior you friggin moron

Not me I’m not Spanish or democrat

 

[Billiejeens]

Without implying anything about his motives the countries that benefit by our methodical withdrawal from the world community are our enemies.

We have Literally reordered the world to our benefit.

 

[Billiejeens]

Imagine walking around with ancestors who conquered native land and enslaved indigenous people and raped their women.

That is why Spanish is the language spoken from Mexico all the way to Antarctica. They are not speaking FRENCH GERMAN ENGLISH SWEDISH NORWEGIAN ITALIAN….

They speak SPANISH because SPAIN STOLE THAT LAND.

Did they GIVE IT BACK to the indigenous tribes?

Nope.

Also, the indigenous tribes conquered each other and enslaved and raped.

Brown people are nasty for sure.

 

[Billiejeens]

I'm on that "silly" road. Trump is a fascist, as are his followers. He might not have concentration camps.... but I'm forced to add "yet" to that observation. He's unhinged and his followers have shown zero ability to tell him "no".

He is doing the hard work that we hired him to do.

Do you not understand any of this?

 

[Billiejeens]

I can't argue.

We have to have 6th party people in charge

It's the only way.

 

[Billiejeens]

As I wrote a few days ago, trump is the last guy any democracy wants without adult supervision. His first impulse is always to abuse his power and make decisions from a position of ignorance and self-indulgence. Congressional R's have abdicated virtually all their oversight responsibilities, his cabinet and aides are completely cowed, and The Following gives him unconditional love. As we have seen, it's a recipe for disaster.

You spelled success incorrectly

 

[Billiejeens]

So, go live in Spain.

Maybe bergy does.

He doesn't know anything about the real USA

 

[Lesh]

Brown people are nasty for sure.

You used to try to hide your racism

Trump seems to have empowered you

 

[Billiejeens]

You used to try to hide your racism

Trump seems to have empowered you

When did I try to hide it?

 

[Lesh]

When did I try to hide it?

Well you certainly aren’t now

Just for the record

Racists are weak sad little people