Enablers, one and all:
Jane Fonda's new movie Monster-in-Law has been banned by two Kentucky cinemas, in protest against the veteran actress' anti-American stance during the Vietnam War. Pictures of Fonda controversially clapping with a group of North Vietnamese soldiers in 1972 were displayed outside the Elizabethtown Movie Palace, as a sign of the owners' disgust. And a notice outside the Showtime Cinema in nearby Radcliff simply informs film fans, "No Jane Fonda movie in this theater." Elizabethtown resident Ike Boutwell, who trained pilots during the Vietnam War and is leading the campaign against Fonda, says, "I think when people do something, they need to be held responsible for their actions. When you give the enemy aid, it makes the war last longer." In the film, Fonda plays Jennifer Lopez's villainous prospective mother-in-law who desperately tries to stop J.Lo marrying her son.
Fonda's "enjoying" more attention in the last few months than she's had for years. First there was Michael A. Smith, the guy who waited and hour and a half in line to spit tobacco juice in her face, now this, all because of her 1972 trip to Hanoi.
Not being very aware of my surroundings at the time, I couldn't really tell you what effect Fonda's visit had on the war itself. The situation in Vietnam was bad enough in 1972, from what I understand, that Fonda's little tour doesn't seem like it would've swung the tide of public opinion against the war. That said, I understand the rancor some veterans feel at her actions.
Then again, has the spitter also gone to Robert McNamara's house to deliver his trademark brand of slobbery justice? McNamara, after all, had more to do with the deaths of 58,000 US troops (and millions of Vietnamese) than Fonda ever did. Smith famously fled the scene after expectorating on Fonda, but maybe he was rushing to urinate on the graves of LBJ and Nixon. No?
I've never ascribed treasonous motives to Fonda's actions because I think almost all of the big moves she's made in her life and career have been calculated solely to bring attention to Jane Fonda. She must have figured protesting the war and calling returning POWs "liars" when they described torture at the hand of their captors was safe enough in the climate of the time, and did everyone one better by going to North Vietnam. Little did she know her publicity stunt would come back to bite her on the ass for as long as it has. Her VC junket was her belated way to cash in on the protest movement, just as she glommed onto the fitness craze in the early '80s. Even her recent "apology" was timed to coincide with the release of her autobiography and her return to feature films.
Theater owners are, of course, free to decide what movies they want to show, even if Boutwell is wrong that Fonda ever gave the North Vietnamese aid. It's not my business if they want to keep the spotlight focused for a few more minutes on her. I just have to wonder if either theater ever screened Fog of War.
Elizabethtown is, as I've noted before, my home town. I'm ever so proud. I can understand and support not booking the film, but making a big deal out of not booking the film is just being a dick.
And if you want the stereotypical know-nothing, ignorance-proud, vote-against-their-economic-interests Bush-voting dick, my home town has got 'em.
The sad truth is that by boycotting this film, the Elizabethtown theater owner is giving the movie more free press than it otherwise would have gotten. Jane Fonda should thank the Republican Right for giving her movie some buzz.
Actually, VV, Kentucky ain't really the south, and we ain't really the north, and we ain't really the Midwest. We're kind of an orphan, on the borders of everywhere.
Redneck ignorance is not limited to the South or the West.
I agree, Cunning- I actually can't say much seeing as how my state definitely has its share of ignorant rednecks . . . and the vets that seem to hold the most lingering hatred for Fonda are pretty evenly sprinkled across the country.
I'll revise the statement to say that the South has, well, a LONG memory.
I stayed in Paducah one night on the way to Athens, seemed like a nice place.
I own Fog of War and liked your extra little twist of the knife at the end this entry. McNamara, as far as I'm concerned, has more than redeemed himself during these Bushified years.
I wouldn't say Mcnamara has redeemed himself, though I did like the documentary. In general I think most people focus on the stupid things, i.e. Jane Fonda, and tend to forget the important things, for example why the hell did we stay and fight a pointless war for so damn long, and our various elected officials that kept it going. If you are going to hold a grudge, those are the guys you should have on your list. Jane Fonda is barely a foot note in history. Who really gives a damn what she did in '72?
Good points all, Pete. Poor Mr. Smith. I wish our country hadn't lined up to humiliate its own soldiers on their return. Live and learn, I suppose.