THE PAIN IN SPAIN IS CLEARLY ON THE WANE - AT 7:50 A.M. ET: 

MADRID (AP) -- Spanish prosecutors will recommend against opening an investigation into whether six Bush administration officials sanctioned torture against terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, the country's attorney-general said Thursday.

Candido Conde-Pumpido said the case against the high-ranking U.S. officials -- including former U.S. Attorney-General Alberto Gonzales -- was without merit because the men were not present when the alleged torture took place.

COMMENT:  This is a political decision.  The desire of some leftists in Spain to try American officials was becoming a major story.  Bill O'Reilly has been plugging it, and it was rapidly turning into an unnecessary irritant in Spanish-American relations.  We hope Spain learns a little something from this.  Its concept of "universal jurisdiction," under which Spain can try anyone in the world, is ridiculous, and should be repealed.

April 16, 2009