The California Museum’s Hall of Fame for the third year has compiled a list of notable and legendary Californians who have made extraordinary achievements in the fields of music, architecture, art, literature, politics, science, cinema, fitness and food. Among the inductees, who will include such notables as Jack Nicholson - three-time Oscar winning actor, and Linus Pauling, Nobel Prize winner; is Jane Fonda, two-time Oscar winning actress, fitness pioneer and activist.
Jane Fonda? There are over nine million Vietnam veterans alive in America today who have every reason to despise Jane Fonda. And I am one of them. On the other hand, call me a cautious journalist, or perhaps just plain lazy, but I decided to consult with my favorite fact checker, www.snopes.com , before explaining why I don’t think she belongs on anyone’s list of notable Americans. Here’s what I found:
”During a 1972 trip to North Vietnam, Jane Fonda propagandized on behalf of the North Vietnamese government, declared that American POWs were being treated humanely, and condemned U.S. soldiers as War Criminals, and later denounced them as liars for claiming they had been tortured. True.”
But 1972 was a long time ago. Is it really important that we discuss this issue now? For a special group of American heroes it is more important than ever, because they need to set the record straight. I am referring to those who were captured and held as prisoners of war. In 1972, many of our POWs were residing in conditions of unbelievable depravation in camps with euphemistic names like “The Hanoi Hilton,” and “The Zoo.” It was a life of misery, where torture and beatings were daily fare and many died of starvation and disease. Most POWs never expected to be freed - especially since their captors told them that they would eventually be tried and executed for their war crimes. Imagine their despair when one of their own told the world that they were war criminals. The North Vietnamese government could not have asked for a better publicity agent than Jane Fonda!
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver will present each inductee with the Spirit of California Medal on Monday, December 15, 2008. More information is available at http://www.californiamuseum.org/Exhibits/Hall-of-Fame/coming-in-2008.html.
I’ve already cast my vote on Jane Fonda’s induction into the California Hall of Fame both at the museum and Governor Schwarzenegger’s office. Those who are similarly offended by the choice should do the same.
Ron Standerfer is a retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot who flew 250 combat missions during the Vietnam War. He has written numerous short stories, magazine articles, and blog pieces on military aviation in general, and fighter pilots in specific. During the initial bombing of Baghdad during the Persian Gulf War, he was seen on national TV as a military analyst. His latest novel, The Eagle’s Last Flight, chronicles the life of an Air Force fighter pilot during the Cold War and Vietnam years. Details of this book can be found at http://www.theeagleslastflight.com His blog, which presents his views and opitions on a variety of subjects can be read at http://www.theeagleslastflight.blogspot.com
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9 users commented in " Hanoi Jane: Here We Go Again! "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI agree wholeheartedly. I despised her then and I still do. She’s a traitor at best and a cruel enemy of our troops. I wish she could have been prosecuted for it. I’m surprised she didn’t follow up with “the holocaust never happened” or now with “well those guys in Iraq did not get executed on camera - that was special effects added by our armed forces.” Same thing essentially as she did during Vietnam. Can’t believe she has the nerve to show her face anywhere anymore. I absolutely cannot believe that she would receive an award for her behavior back then! Especially now with our troops in Iraq! What does this medal of hers say to them? And especially to those who have already died or been captured and… (I can’t even write it). Good heavens is there no one left with any sense or common decency? I am going to find out who the heck is on the board or whatever of the California Museum’s Hall of Fame and write to them (throw rotten tomatoes if I get close enough - just wishful thinking there) and write everyone else I can think of to protest this! This “medal” is a slap in the face to this country and especially our troops!
Jane Fonda is unquestionably great actress. It’s such a pity that she isn’t a great patriot too. Not only isn’t she a patriot … in my view she committed traitorous actions during the Viet Nam conflict. I do not condemn those who disagreed with our leaders, after all, that is a major facet of Democracy. To condemn our POW’S while they were undergoing such incredibly terrible POW conditions, is unforgiveable….Her actions clearly gave AID and COMFORT to our enemy during a time of war…. and that is TREASON. Surely she is not deserving of California’s High honor.
Edward D. Moore,
Viet Nam Veteran
For mytwocents and anyone else who wants to express their outrage there is a simple and effective solution. Write the governor’s office:
Lisa Kalustian
Chief Deputy Director
Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Lisa.Kalustian@GOV.CA.GOV
It is a shame that the governor and his wife will be presenting Ms.Fonda such a prestigious honor at a time when the Republican Party at it’s convention has just honored John McCain’s time spent in the Hanoi Hilton, and reminded all of America how he in fact was tortured at the hand of his captors.As a former Marine of seven years (1957 - 1964)I personally am offended by this recognization of Fonda…..SHAME ON THE GOVERNOR!
Vincent L. Vasil
Semper Fi
USMC 1682986
Ms.Fonda has enjoyed a storied career among the Hollywood elite, no doubt because of her famous father Hank. Her actions during the war in South East Asia show her true colors, by cuddling up to the enemy, while denying the very existence of our POW’s and the horrible torture and treatment they were be subjected to on a daily basis. Long ago, people like her who performed acts like these were deemed traitors and were executed as such. Instead we seem to do otherwise, and select her into the California Hall of Fame. For what? Why? Because she’s won a few acting awards, daughter of a truly great actor, activist, and continues her liberal ideaology? Bad choice all around…someone is just stroking her once again. She doesn’t deserve this award any more than the average Californian…which is all she is in my opinion. Remove her from the list immediately as a traitor of our nation.
Former Air Force Officer and Fighter Pilot with 157 combat missions.
Tony “Silver Bulat
I strongly protes giving Hanoi Jane any kind of honor for treasonaable conduct in North Vietnam. I had many friends in the Hanoi Hilton who were tortured grevesly. Jane gave comfort to our Enemy in time of war and should have been severly punished for this act.
Piloted B-17s on 50 bombing missions in WWII and 100 missions north in F-4s during the Vietnam War.
My friend call me Al.
Thank you for the address, Ron. I did write and will again and I’m passing the word and address as best I can to others.
The only recognition that I believe Jane Fonda is entitled to is anonymity. Who’s next, Aldoph Hitler?
I WAS FLYING COMBAT AIR STRIKE MISSIONS IN THE HANOI AREA WHEN jane fonda WAS HAVING PHOTO OPS IN THAT CITY. I DO NOT PERSONALLY KNOW IF THE THINGS SAID ABOUT MY COMRADE’S (POW) TREATMENT RESPECTIVE TO HER VISIT ARE TRUE OR NOT. I DO, HOWEVER KNOW THAT I AM CLOSE PERSONAL FRIENDS WITH THOSE WHO WERE THERE. THEY CONFIRM THAT BAD THINGS DID HAPPEN. augie<
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