Not Fonda the Movement
January 27th, 2007Jane Fonda must not be fond of Democrats or the anti-war movement in any incarnation. What else explains this: her first anti-war protest in over three decades. Why pick now as the time to speak out? She has no political clout, and so while I can appreciate the first amendment’s shield, I think she should be quiet, as she won’t achieve anything positive by speaking out. Think about it: if the majority of a citizenry remember you for what Fonda is remembered for, you should decline to endorse anything you support because your endorsement is bound to be a kiss of death.
To be fair to her, though, I suppose she figured that Bush has a lower rating than she at this moment, and she had to take advantage of her newfound popularity!
Now, there are a few other “movements” I’d like to address briefly. First, is this story, which seems to create a hole in the Democratic Party’s ethical movement. It’s true enough that both parties are corrupt, and given enough time in power any party will crook itself, but this story is true-and-false at the same time. It’s about Dianne Feinstein, whose husband is a contractor making money in Iraq. That, along with the fact that she’s voted on bills that have given him a ton of money, is the controversy. The deal, however, was approved by the Senate Ethics Committee while run by Republicans, and it was awarded through traditional bidding means, meaning that Feinstein herself did little unethical. My problem is, she should’ve abstained from voting when she knew that her vote might be a stamp on his paycheck.
Still, it’s not an indictment of Democratic ethics so much as it goes to show us that everybody in Washington is related to someone by birth or marriage who will benefit from their money eventually. It’s an elite, tight circle, and it’s trouble. Not in this specific case, but often, it is.
The second movement I wanted to mention was this one. Rolling Stone recently featured a commentary on Al Gore’s current political situation and calls for him to run. I’d love it if he did (wink wink nudge, Mr. Gore) but I doubt it. Still, it’s nice to see articles in the news urging Gore to run. The only thing that could further cement this election cycle’s place in history would be Al Gore’s entrance.