donheff said:
She recognizes that there is still a lot of anger toward her from Viet Nam vets and didn't want to be a distraction.
When I joined this forum, about 3 years ago, I promised my wife that I wouldn't get involved in any discussions re: politics, or military. (She reads the forum from time to time, so I'll state ahead of time, "Sorry Dear".
The mention of Jane Fonda, and what she represented at the time goes beyond the "Vietnam Vets". It includes all veterans.
My family, like a lot of families during the conscription days paid a high price, as did a lot of folks.
My immigrant gradmother lost her only two sons in WW2. One in the Army at the "Battle of the Bulge", and the other, a Marine at Guadalcanal.
My youngest brother, a gifted athlete, lost his left leg above the knee in Vietnam.
I was close in Korea, but they got me patched up after 5 days in a Mash Unit, and two weeks at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego.
What has that got to do with the price of Tea? (And the strong feelings that most veterans have about Jane Fonda?)
Jane Fonda's appearance into the fray (I'll never be able to forget her smiling on a piece of heavy artillary, with the N. Vietnamese), came during the period of time when we were fully committed to "Conscription".
The draft card burners, and trust fund babies, and some legitimate protesters were busy burning down banks, etc. etc. in Berkely.(Leaving the
war to be fought by the dis-infranched, and others that were willing to
risk life and limb, because that is what was demanded at the time.
We now have a professional military, and it is a different ball-game.
Just a rant about Jane Fonda, and what she represents to "all veterans" during the conscription days.
I would love to go to the Super Bowl, but if Jane Fonda gave me a free ticket, and I had to sit by her, I'd pass.