Shazz, first off: It wasn't about the tourists OR the Americans! The bomb in Torremolinos this summer was compliments of ETA.
People, please keep in mind that although Americans aren't on everybody's #1 love list, it doesn't mean that every threat or attack is against Americans! Its not!
This summer, and this is a different thread, there were lots of changes made in the government to take away some of ETA's power and resources, so of course, they had to make trouble, and summertime, when people are vacationing, well apparently it was too tempting for them as they knew they'd get lots more attention than usual...
The national strike, well, it was just that NATIONAL! It again, was not intended to send tourists a 'go home' message... as well as the trash strike (which by the way, happened in Madrid also, I don't know if it was country wide or not). Malaga especially is an area where tourism is a very big thing. Sel, Torremolinos, Gandia, Costa del sol, La Manga... just about anywhere there's a beach, it FULL of tourists in the summer, and natives... inland is just too hot and everybody and their grandmother heads to the coast, and since germany and england don't have as nice weather, they come also, as well as LOTS of french- probably for a change of scene! So yes, what you experience in summer is not true of the rest of the year, as in any place really.
As far as the weather, I don't know, as I've never been there in the winter time- just in Cartagena, and well, yes, it does get cold! You're close to the water.. its the kind of cold that gets into your bones... but that's not every day. Winters in Cartagena at least tend to be pretty mild. (think northern florida) Malaga will be fine to visit. But if you don't want to, don't. Its like saying, I'm not going to visit Pompey because you don't know when Mt. Vesuvius (I'm pretty sure I spelt that wrong) is going to blow!
Terrorism in Spain has been a reality for a looong time, unfortunately its a part of life. Like Ireland- but I not as bad. How you choose to let those terrorists affect your life is up to you.
Shazz, enjoy Spain, Malaga, Barcelona or wherever you decide to go. Its a fun country, interesting and there's plenty to do
Read Sel's post again! I don't think the intention was to scare you from going, look! Even she's going back to visit! THAT should tell you something!