January 2011

The Smithsonian Institution’s decision to establish a Hall of Fame of American Achievers at its Museum of American History, to be paid for with $38 million from a financial-services entrepreneur, has ignited a furor among the museum’s staff. The donor, Catherine B. Reynolds, has some definite ideas about what shape the permanent exhibit (to be called “The Spirit of America”) should take, and she plans to use her considerable influence to put them into effect. For example, her eclectic list of potential Hall of Famers ranges from Martha Stewart to Michael Jordan.

Half a century after Fredric Wertham’s anticomic crusade (“In the News,” July/ August), there is still a bias against comicbook heroes and their creators. Several months ago, I requested the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to name two craters on the planet Mercury for Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creators of Superman. The IAU is composed of professional astronomers in 66 countries, and its nomenclature is the only that NASA recognizes.

Each planet has its own rules: Mercury for artists, composers, and writers; Venus for famous women (it’s the only planet named for a goddess); Mars for scientists and writers who have studied the Red Planet or added to its lore. The person has to have been deceased for three years. When, earlier, I requested Orson Welles for Mars, for his famous 1938 radio broadcast about Martians attacking earth, the IAU named a crater for him in two months, because he “put Mars and Martians into so many people’s brains”— the IAU’s words. I had problems with Siegel and Shuster, however.

Peter Braunstein’s piece on Jane Fonda is thoughtful, well written, and dead on. Terrific! Thank you.

Who is that lynx-eyed hoyden with the sex-kitten bob on page 39? Surely not Jane at 65? Your editor vacated responsible decision making by including the photograph titled “Jane Fonda Today” as a believable portrait of an old woman. Each time of life has its beauties, and it is indeed sad that our culture continues
to find “youthfulness” the only standard of beauty—particularly for a woman. As a “woman of a certain age,” and very much Ms. Fonda’s junior, I am offended by the fact that attractive and viable old women like myself are all too often represented in the American press by manipulated photos rather than realistic photographs that celebrate age and beauty.

Before you bring to Ms. Fonda’s defense her youth at the time, I’d like to point out that we who were in the military during those days were the same age or younger. We might not have enjoyed our tour of the countryside as much as she did, but perhaps this was because our tour guides were less exuberant than hers.

Your article speaks of Jane Fonda being photographed on the North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun: ‘“The worst thing I ever did in my life’ is how Fonda assesses that moment today. ’It’s the most stupid,
naive thing I could have done. I was so swept up in what was happening that I didn’t even think that there were photographers there and how it could be interpreted. I will go to my grave regretting that—not going to North Vietnam,’ she qualifies, ‘but that photograph.’” It is noteworthy that Fonda says that she was “stupid” and “naive.” Not wrong. Not assisting the communists’ propaganda campaign. Not acting in a manner inimical to the interests of her country.

Imagine my disgust to find that the magazine with a tabloid cover was my copy of American Heritage . You have offended millions of people who have served their country loyally, who have kept the businesses, the schools, the hospitals going, the real “Ms.” (and Mr.) America who have cared for their children, their families, their elders, and their communities. Your readers are not afraid of controversy. They are knowledgeable; they seek more knowledge; they love America and America’s stories. They should not be subjected to sensationalist pandering.

Thanks for your piece on Jane Fonda. Here is one conservative who loves her. Why? When her name comes up, every liberal suddenly turns into a conservative: “Oh, what a horrible thing she did!” I know that she now agrees her Hanoi trip was irresponsible, but thanks, Jane!

In April of 1972.1 was wounded in the Republic of Vietnam and spent the next 18 months in and out of hospitals having the damage repaired. The pain had faded to the distant memory of an aging veteran. It would have faded further had I not had the misfortune to open my copy of your July/August magazine. That brought it all back.

Jane Fonda does not embody America. The truth is: America embodies Jane Fonda—in our tolerance of her choices and in our forgiveness for her treasonous stupidity. She will have to be content that she will be remembered in infamy as much as she will be remembered in fame. In the end, Jane Fonda does not embody America any more than Pete Rose embodies baseball.