Kudos to Dr. Hal Sobel for reminding your readers that there really was a Spanish Civil War which preceded WW II by only three years and in which Americans (and many other anti-fascists world-wide) gave their lives in defense of nascent Spanish Democracy.
The writer’s Spanish, however, is not so good as his history.
He wrote, “Los fascistas no pasarOn.”
As written, it means, “The fascists did not pass.”
Unfortunately for Spain, they did and remained in power (with strong American support from the early ‘50s on) for 37 years (1938-1975).
I believe Dr. Sobel meant to quote “La Pasionaria’s” great cry for the Republic’s defense of Madrid against the coming fascist attack, “¡ No pasarÁn !,” “They shall not pass!”
Dr. Gerald Scharfman
New Hyde Park
Adjunct Professor of Spanish & Portuguese, Nassau Community College.
