Viet Nam War Viet Nam War ProtestsProtests

An Ugly Side Of DemocracyAn Ugly Side Of DemocracyProtesting Is Your RightProtesting Is Your Right

But Think Of The But Think Of The ConsequencesConsequences

Jane Fonda: American Jane Fonda: American LegendLegend

Jane Fonda is a star of American film, Jane Fonda is a star of American film, winning two Academy Awards.winning two Academy Awards.

She is the daughter of American film She is the daughter of American film legend Henry Fonda.legend Henry Fonda.

She figured prominently in the aerobics She figured prominently in the aerobics craze of the 80s with her immensely craze of the 80s with her immensely popular exercise videos for women.popular exercise videos for women.

She married, and divorced, media mogul She married, and divorced, media mogul Ted Turner.Ted Turner.

Fonda has also been involved in women’s Fonda has also been involved in women’s rights movements.rights movements.

Hanoi Jane: The Other Jane Hanoi Jane: The Other Jane FondaFonda

Hanoi Jane was a member of the Hanoi Jane was a member of the American Communist Party and other American Communist Party and other radical groups.radical groups.

She deliberately visited Communist She deliberately visited Communist North Viet Nam during the Cold War North Viet Nam during the Cold War and Viet Nam War and posed for and Viet Nam War and posed for countless propaganda photos.countless propaganda photos.

Why the furry?Why the furry? While in Hanoi, Fonda posed with American While in Hanoi, Fonda posed with American

POWs at the infamous Hanoi Hilton, the POWs at the infamous Hanoi Hilton, the nightmarish POW camp in Hanoi.nightmarish POW camp in Hanoi.

The POWs in the photo had been cleaned The POWs in the photo had been cleaned up, given medical treatment and fed prior up, given medical treatment and fed prior to her arrival for the staged photos.to her arrival for the staged photos.

Fonda would state upon her return that the Fonda would state upon her return that the POWs were well treated and lived in POWs were well treated and lived in pleasant conditions.pleasant conditions.

Who was Jane Fonda to the soldiers?Who was Jane Fonda to the soldiers?Answer: BarbarellaAnswer: Barbarella

Jane Fonda starred in the Jane Fonda starred in the cult science fiction film cult science fiction film BarbarellaBarbarella..

The character Barbarella The character Barbarella was, shall we say, not the was, shall we say, not the most moral individual when most moral individual when it came to relations with it came to relations with men.men.

Fonda was very popular as a Fonda was very popular as a pin-up girl as the character pin-up girl as the character Barbarella.Barbarella.

The average GI who went to The average GI who went to movies certainly knew who movies certainly knew who she was.she was.

Those who hadn’t seen the Those who hadn’t seen the film had certainly seen film had certainly seen photographs or posters of photographs or posters of Fonda as Barbarella.Fonda as Barbarella.

BarbarellaBarbarella This photos shows one of This photos shows one of

the popular still photos the popular still photos distributed from the film.distributed from the film.

Fonda’s career Fonda’s career skyrocketed after this film skyrocketed after this film and she was able to and she was able to command larger salaries command larger salaries for her roles in future films.for her roles in future films.

Despite being a member of Despite being a member of the American Communist the American Communist Party, she certainly took Party, she certainly took advantage of the capitalist advantage of the capitalist society she lived in.society she lived in.

She would later make She would later make millions in the fitness millions in the fitness industry with her fitness industry with her fitness videos.videos.

Who Cares?Who Cares? The soldiers did.The soldiers did. They admired Fonda if for no reason They admired Fonda if for no reason

other than she was an attractive other than she was an attractive female and a source of fantasy for female and a source of fantasy for them to relieve the boredom and fear them to relieve the boredom and fear of their existence in Viet Nam.of their existence in Viet Nam.

Fonda’s actions hurt morale. Fonda’s actions hurt morale. Soldiers with low morale or more Soldiers with low morale or more likely to be wounded or killed.likely to be wounded or killed.

The Infamous PhotosThe Infamous Photos

Hanoi Jane In ActionHanoi Jane In Action

Fonda is shown hear wearing a NVA helmet given to Fonda is shown hear wearing a NVA helmet given to her at NVA Anti-air craft gun installation in Hanoi.her at NVA Anti-air craft gun installation in Hanoi.

Fonda willingly posed Fonda willingly posed for propaganda for propaganda photos with VC and photos with VC and NVA troops. NVA troops.

The most infamous The most infamous of which is a series of of which is a series of photos she posed for photos she posed for while entertaining an while entertaining an NVA anti-aircraft gun NVA anti-aircraft gun crewcrew

Fonda entertaining the communist Fonda entertaining the communist media and the anti-aircraft gun crew.media and the anti-aircraft gun crew.

Fonda is shown in this photo Fonda is shown in this photo applauding the communist applauding the communist

soldiers.soldiers.

A color photo of Fonda A color photo of Fonda laughing it up with NVA laughing it up with NVA

soldiers.soldiers.

Fonda and her first husband at a press conference Fonda and her first husband at a press conference upon their return to the United States, disgruntled upon their return to the United States, disgruntled with the negative reaction of many Americans to with the negative reaction of many Americans to

their visit to Hanoi.their visit to Hanoi.

Back In The StatesBack In The States The necklace Fonda The necklace Fonda

is wearing in this is wearing in this photo was given to photo was given to her by her Viet Cong her by her Viet Cong and NVA hosts.and NVA hosts.

It is made from It is made from metal from an metal from an American bomber American bomber that was shot down.that was shot down.

Fonda’s mug shots after being Fonda’s mug shots after being arrested on drug charges. She is arrested on drug charges. She is flashing the “Black Power” sign.flashing the “Black Power” sign.

Hanoi Jane StickerHanoi Jane Sticker Stickers like this one Stickers like this one

are still distributed by are still distributed by Viet Nam veterans Viet Nam veterans groups who do not groups who do not want Americans to want Americans to forget what Fonda did forget what Fonda did during the war.during the war.

These groups are These groups are outraged that Fonda outraged that Fonda was named to the 100 was named to the 100 Greatest American Greatest American Females list in the late Females list in the late 90s.90s.

John Kerry and Hanoi JaneJohn Kerry and Hanoi Jane

An Older Jane FondaAn Older Jane Fonda Dogged to this day by Dogged to this day by

Viet Nam Veterans Viet Nam Veterans who will not forget her who will not forget her days as Hanoi Jane, days as Hanoi Jane, Fonda today blames Fonda today blames her actions on being a her actions on being a young, naïve and young, naïve and innocent woman.innocent woman.

She was married, a She was married, a mother and in her 30s mother and in her 30s when she made her when she made her infamous trip to Hanoi.infamous trip to Hanoi.

Americans protesting against the war. Not all, but most were Americans protesting against the war. Not all, but most were upper class college students from wealthy families. They had upper class college students from wealthy families. They had little in common with the soldiers they protested against who little in common with the soldiers they protested against who

were largely from middle class and blue collar families.were largely from middle class and blue collar families.

American Communists American Communists Protesting The War Outside Protesting The War Outside

The CapitalThe Capital Dividing the nation. Dividing the nation. Many Americans who were Many Americans who were

persuaded to protest persuaded to protest against the war refused to against the war refused to believe that much of the believe that much of the information they based information they based their protests on was their protests on was generated by the generated by the Communist Party for the Communist Party for the expressed purpose of expressed purpose of destroying support for the destroying support for the American military, thus American military, thus allowing the Communists allowing the Communists in Viet Nam to win the war.in Viet Nam to win the war.

Can You Trust The Can You Trust The Protestors?Protestors?Hidden Agendas?Hidden Agendas?Genuine Protest?Genuine Protest?

John Kerry – Unfit For John Kerry – Unfit For Command?Command?

Senator John Kerry is a Viet Nam War veteran. Senator John Kerry is a Viet Nam War veteran. He received several purple hearts and the He received several purple hearts and the Silver Star. Even his most vocal critics do not Silver Star. Even his most vocal critics do not deny the fact that he won these awards during deny the fact that he won these awards during his tour of duty in Viet Nam.his tour of duty in Viet Nam.

Kerry was an officer in the United States Navy. Kerry was an officer in the United States Navy. He served in what was known as the “Brown He served in what was known as the “Brown Water Navy” or the “Swift Boats.” These naval Water Navy” or the “Swift Boats.” These naval units patrolled the dangerous Mekong Delta units patrolled the dangerous Mekong Delta and the Mekong River in South Viet Nam.and the Mekong River in South Viet Nam.

Fake ProtestorsFake Protestors In a protest that Senator John Kerry In a protest that Senator John Kerry

participated in, numerous Viet Nam participated in, numerous Viet Nam vets came forward to describe vets came forward to describe numerous horrible war crimes they numerous horrible war crimes they committed. The media ate their committed. The media ate their “confessions” up – it made for good “confessions” up – it made for good news stories.news stories.

Most of these so called vets were later Most of these so called vets were later exposed as fakes who told made up exposed as fakes who told made up stories to “inflame” the media.stories to “inflame” the media.

Can You Protest A War?Can You Protest A War? Absolutely! Each American citizen has Absolutely! Each American citizen has

the right to freedom of speech the right to freedom of speech guaranteed in the United States guaranteed in the United States Constitution.Constitution.

Can you protest effectively against a war Can you protest effectively against a war in such a way that your protest is both in such a way that your protest is both heard by the government, supporters of heard by the government, supporters of the war and yet not endanger the troops the war and yet not endanger the troops in the combat zone?in the combat zone?

The MoratoriumsThe Moratoriums Sam Brown, a former seminary student, Sam Brown, a former seminary student,

was frustrated by the lack of response to was frustrated by the lack of response to the anti-war movement.the anti-war movement.

He came to realize that middle class He came to realize that middle class America would not listen to the message America would not listen to the message because of who the messengers were.because of who the messengers were.

A dope smoking, long haired, anti-authority A dope smoking, long haired, anti-authority hippie dressed outlandish clothes is not hippie dressed outlandish clothes is not going to get any middle class adult to going to get any middle class adult to listen to anything.listen to anything.

The MoratoriumsThe Moratoriums Brown realized that in order for the anti-war message Brown realized that in order for the anti-war message

to be heard by middle America, the messengers had to be heard by middle America, the messengers had to be “cleaned up.”to be “cleaned up.”

The ugly, sometimes violent, anti-war rallies on The ugly, sometimes violent, anti-war rallies on college campuses also turned off blue collar families.college campuses also turned off blue collar families.

They looked at the college war protestors as spoiled They looked at the college war protestors as spoiled rich kids who were only in college to obtain a draft rich kids who were only in college to obtain a draft deferment and avoid military duty.deferment and avoid military duty.

The blue collar Americans were suspicious that these The blue collar Americans were suspicious that these hippies were motivated not out of a genuine anti-war hippies were motivated not out of a genuine anti-war ideology, but rather cowardice and a desire to avoid ideology, but rather cowardice and a desire to avoid combat. In many cases, as anti-war protestors would combat. In many cases, as anti-war protestors would later reveal, the blue collar workers were correct.later reveal, the blue collar workers were correct.

The MoratoriumsThe Moratoriums The middle class white collar Americans The middle class white collar Americans

also were often disgusted by the anti-war also were often disgusted by the anti-war protestors behavior and appearance.protestors behavior and appearance.

Middle class Americans were angered by Middle class Americans were angered by the blatant disrespect for authority and the blatant disrespect for authority and the organized attempts to undermine it.the organized attempts to undermine it.

Thus, when the same protestors wanted to Thus, when the same protestors wanted to be heard when they advocated their anti-be heard when they advocated their anti-war message, the middle class wanted war message, the middle class wanted nothing to do with them.nothing to do with them.

The Right To Not ListenThe Right To Not Listen Just as the anti-war protestors had Just as the anti-war protestors had

the right to freedom of speech, the the right to freedom of speech, the very audience they hoped to sway very audience they hoped to sway had the right to not listen.had the right to not listen.

Sam Brown realized that for the Sam Brown realized that for the message to be heard, the messenger message to be heard, the messenger had to clean up his act.had to clean up his act.

The target audience had to be drawn The target audience had to be drawn into a discussion about the war.into a discussion about the war.

An Effective ProtestAn Effective Protest Brown successfully argued for a Brown successfully argued for a

change in tactics. change in tactics. – Many of the anti-war protestors cleaned Many of the anti-war protestors cleaned

themselves up.themselves up.– They behaved with more civility and were They behaved with more civility and were

respectful to adults, asking only that the respectful to adults, asking only that the adults listen for just a few minutes.adults listen for just a few minutes.

– The two moratoriums were peaceful, and The two moratoriums were peaceful, and effective.effective.

Even The Hawks Want Even The Hawks Want ChangeChange

By this point, even the Hawks wanted a By this point, even the Hawks wanted a change.change.

Nixon went on television, and outlined his Nixon went on television, and outlined his plan to end the war.plan to end the war.

He asked for patience from the American He asked for patience from the American people so he could implement his plan.people so he could implement his plan.

To the dismay of the anti-war protestors, To the dismay of the anti-war protestors, the polls showed the American people the polls showed the American people would give Nixon the time and patience he would give Nixon the time and patience he asked for.asked for.

The Protestor’s LegacyThe Protestor’s Legacy The legacy was one of dividing the The legacy was one of dividing the

American people as a nation.American people as a nation. The damage was real and lasting, even The damage was real and lasting, even

if the cause for which the protestors if the cause for which the protestors worked so hard for was just.worked so hard for was just.

Sam Brown’s approach was successful Sam Brown’s approach was successful because he played by the rules.because he played by the rules.

Many of the anti-war protestors Many of the anti-war protestors protested for a wide range of reasons.protested for a wide range of reasons.

The MoratoriumsThe Moratoriums These were two peaceful demonstrations These were two peaceful demonstrations

that were held in the Washington Mall.that were held in the Washington Mall. Unlike other protests that featured Unlike other protests that featured

hippies, rude behavior and sometimes hippies, rude behavior and sometimes turned violent, these two events did not.turned violent, these two events did not.

They swayed many blue collar and middle They swayed many blue collar and middle class Americans to re-think the war.class Americans to re-think the war.

The Nixon Administration, which was The Nixon Administration, which was trying to end the war, felt threatened.trying to end the war, felt threatened.

The Nixon ResponseThe Nixon Response Even the Hawks in the United States wanted a Even the Hawks in the United States wanted a

change in how the war was being fought.change in how the war was being fought. Nixon went on television to address the Nixon went on television to address the

American people.American people. Nixon outlined his plan to end American Nixon outlined his plan to end American

involvement in the Vietnam War and asked for involvement in the Vietnam War and asked for the American people to give him time to the American people to give him time to implement that plan.implement that plan.

To the dismay of the anti-war protestors, the To the dismay of the anti-war protestors, the polls the next day showed that the American polls the next day showed that the American people overwhelming agreed to be patient and people overwhelming agreed to be patient and give Nixon the time he asked for.give Nixon the time he asked for.

The Protestor’s LegacyThe Protestor’s Legacy The 60s are remembered as a violent and The 60s are remembered as a violent and

turbulent time in American history.turbulent time in American history. The anti-war protestors left a legacy of The anti-war protestors left a legacy of

dividing the nation, a rift that is still felt dividing the nation, a rift that is still felt today.today.

The attack on respect for authority and The attack on respect for authority and social customs has resulted in a slow social customs has resulted in a slow decline in morality in the United States, decline in morality in the United States, resulting in skyrocketing teenage resulting in skyrocketing teenage pregnancy, transmission of STDs, and a pregnancy, transmission of STDs, and a general decline in respect for authority.general decline in respect for authority.

Sam Brown & The Sam Brown & The Moratoriums Moratoriums

The legacy of Sam Brown and the The legacy of Sam Brown and the Moratoriums is different.Moratoriums is different.

It was not until Brown organized a It was not until Brown organized a deliberate, polite, respectful and non-violent deliberate, polite, respectful and non-violent approach that middle America listened.approach that middle America listened.

Given Brown’s background as a seminary Given Brown’s background as a seminary student compared to the often spoiled student compared to the often spoiled college students who were rebelling against college students who were rebelling against authority, it is not difficult to understand authority, it is not difficult to understand why Brown’s approach succeeded and the why Brown’s approach succeeded and the other approaches did not.other approaches did not.