Local reaction to the idiot who spit on Jane Fonda - good editorial

[proud2BlibKansan]

Posted on Fri, Apr. 22, 2005

Spitter stains himself more than Fonda


Michael Dean Smith of Gladstone went to a great deal of trouble to let the world know how he felt about Jane Fonda. He not only bought her book — that was the price of admission to Tuesday's book-signing event at Unity Temple on the Plaza — but he also had to wait in line. For 90 minutes.

When Smith's turn came, he released a stream of tobacco juice that hit the actress on her face, neck and blouse. Then he ran outside, where he was arrested by police.

No one has the right to go around spitting on people.

Smith, 54, may be among the many veterans traumatized by the violence of the war. But his action can't be excused as a youthful indiscretion. With his self-indulgent outburst, he managed to embarrass himself and the city.

What Michael Dean Smith did said more about Smith than about Jane Fonda's conduct during the war.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/opinion/11456080.htm

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. and a good LTTE

At a recent Rainy Day Books Event, many local residents learned a lot about courage and grace. Approximately 900 fans gathered at Unity Temple on the Plaza for Jane Fonda's presentation and book signing. It took a lot of courage for Fonda to publicly apologize for her past poor judgment and the damage it caused.

Unfortunately, just a few minutes after the words “I'm sorry” came from Fonda's mouth, an apparently unpatriotic, very unforgiving man chose to cause an embarrassing, disgraceful spectacle. I cannot imagine how twisted and sour a person's mind and heart must be to harbor such hostility and resentment.

I also cannot imagine the compassion and kindness that enabled Fonda to not press charges. She forgave someone who would not forgive her. In this bad situation, Fonda remained composed — she did not disappoint her fans. We should all learn from her courage and grace.

Jeffrey Glenn

Arma, Kan.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/opinion/11456086.htm

[formerrepuke]

2. Which begs the question- has anyone ever spit on Robert MacNamara?

[Bridget Burke]

4. Of course not. He's a respected elder statesman.

How nice for him that he's lived to regret all those names he helped put on The Wall. And all the dead in Southeast Asia.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Boy I am tempted

What an evil man. Is he still alive?

[indepat]

3. Fonda was right about the Vietnam War, but wrong in what she did for

which she has acknowledged as wrong and apoligized for. Now if only our government would acknowledge and apoligize for what it has done wrong while deceiving the American people in the process and the American people would apologize for the wrongful actions of its government....

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Keep on dreaming

just keep on dreaming.

[Kansas Wyatt]

16. When this story broke...

My first thought was, if these people who are still so pissed off about this would look within themselves and really examine their anger and hostility, they may discover that all of that hate is misplaced. They may actually have to admit that the Government and The Powers That Be are the ones who truly deserve their anger and attention. But to them, that could never be, so the thought is quickly dismissed and discredited.

[Village Idiot]

7. It's a good thing...

that Jane wasn't approached by someone with something much more insidious and more dangerous....like a CREAM PIE.

Interesting that the RW hacks get all the sympathy and the headlines for seemingly innocuous protests...I am absolutely certain the those same "morans" who sympathized with Coulter for the "pie incident" and Buchanan for the "salad dressing incident" would say that Fonda deserved to be spat upon...

What a sad, sad, sick society we live in...

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Yes, I thought of that as well

And which is worse - tobacco juice (mixed with saliva) or cream pie?

[havocmom]

14. We don't live in a society anymore

It has decayed to something much less than social.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. great quote!

"As Eric Rudolph proclaimed in his recent manifesto, the self-righteous feel they have the right to cross the lines of civility."

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/11456612.htm

[Ironpost]

10. By this act of cowardice he's not speaking for me.

I forgave Jane Fonda many many years ago. She possibly saved me from great harm or death. I was in the first plane in Nixon's withdrawal from Viet Namn. So I say thank you Jane.

[DeaconBlues]

11. I'm so tired of the "not fond of Fonda" crowd

either direct your anger at the people who actually got us into that shitty war, or learn to let go. Stop being a bunch of douches.

[Norquist Nemesis]

12. Wait just a minute! Who's Michael Dean Smith?

Yesterday, it was Michael "A." Smith. Who is this Michael "Dean" Smith?

[bmbmd]

13. Wait a minute-spitting is bad

but pie-throwing is righteous and funny?

[havocmom]

15. at least a pie does not expose its victim to body fluids

:puke: