On October 14th, in Seattle, the nation's first monument to Spanish Civil War volunteers was dedicated. In the LA Times, and many other media outlets, the hagiographic coverage was really beyond pathetic--it was just plain ignorant. But, then, none are so blind as they who will not see.

The over-simplification of the Spanish conflict was incredible: "...when a little-known general moved against Spain's democratically elected government in 1936..."

The fact is, that from the beginning of World War I, Spain was completely polarized into two groups: a pro-French faction, largely the working class and anticlericals; and a pro-German faction, chiefly basing its sympathies on resentment against French expansion in Morocco, and disgust with anti-Church activity. Spain was neutral in WWI, and with neutrality came relative prosperity.

This prosperity led to demands from Spanish workers for better working conditions and wages. At the same time, military juntas began to spread among officers. Between 1918 and 1933, at least 14 different governments fell from power.

In November, 1933, the rightist parties received 44% of the seats in the first constitutional elections for the Cortes (parliament). The result was a revival of the rightist power, weakening of the anticlerical legislation, and a modification of land redistribution.

In Catalonia, where support for the Left was always strong, independence from the Madrid government was declared, but the revolt was put down with military brutality, causing thousands of casualties on both sides. The central government, despite popular opposition, refused to adopt reforms. Several cabinets were formed, and all fell.

In February, 1936, general elections this time gave victory to the Popular Front, a coalition of Communists, Socialists, and others. It was against this government that Gen. Francisco Franco rebelled, and foreign powers started to intervene.

So, yes, Franco "moved against Spain's democratically elected government." That there was a new government every few months is not mentioned, and the atrocities committed against Church officials get nary a word.

As with most wars, it would be foolhardy to term the Spanish Civil War a battle of Good versus Evil. Franco (Nationalists) gained support from Germany and Italy, while the Republicans (Loyalists) could claim Stalin as an ally. The Spanish republic became dependent for supplies on the Soviet Union, which used its military aid to achieve its own political goals.

The American volunteers formed the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, and the name is nothing if not ironic. Lincoln, of course, violently put down the Confederate rebellion against the Central US government, but now his name was being used by followers of those who were themselves once violently crushed by a Central government.

All the International Brigades were recruited, organized, and directed by Comintern (Communist International)--headquartered in Paris, but controlled from Moscow. Comintern's policy was changeable, to say the least. In the early 1930's, its attacks were focused on German social democrats. They cooperated fully with the Nazis in destroying the Weimar republic. By 1935, though, the defeat of Fascism was Comintern's primary goal. Popular fronts were to be formed.

As the war progressed, the situation played into the hands of the Communists, who at the outset had been of negligible importance. The Loyalist ranks were riven by factional strife, which intensified as the Loyalist military position worsened; among its manifestations was the Communists' suppression of the anarchists and the Trotskyite Partido Obrero de Unificacion Marxista (POUM). On the Nationalist side, internal conflict also existed, especially between the military and the fascists, but Franco was able to surmount it and consolidate his position.

By the middle of 1937, it was clear that Franco was getting the better of the fight, but victory did not come easy. Despite protests by the Vatican, nonmilitary points were constantly bombed by the Nationalists, and hundreds of civilians were killed. The war ended in March, 1939--won by Franco's side.

Why, in 1998, there should be a memorial to a purely Communist organization, merely because they were on a side opposed to Fascism, even though the same group allied with Fascists a few years before the Spanish Civil War, defies rational explanation.

But then, when has desperation ever been rational?