Before There Was a ‘Karen’, There Was a ‘Hanoi Jane’

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With the recent passing of cable mogul Ted Turner, it was mentioned that this 85-year-old CNN creator, who changed the future of news broadcasting, had once been married to Jane Fonda. For ten years, the two were a power couple – involved in everything from cable television, politics, environmental issues, to basketball. A late-night comedy host made a joke that at least Ted Turner died a happy man, knowing that Turner was divorced from Fonda in 2001.

Generations of young people today are probably unaware of Jane Fonda’s sordid past. Here was a woman who was a pretty well-established actress and daughter of esteemed actor Henry Fonda, who chose to go to North Vietnam and rub elbows with the enemy.

During the 1960’s and 70’s, Fonda became outspoken against the war. Initially supportive of the effort, Fonda changed her opinion after meeting with former soldiers who had served in the conflict. Fonda began participating in anti-war protests and supported those who were critical of U.S. military policy. She sided with anyone who spoke out against the war, never mind the feelings of those soldiers who were putting their lives on the line and did not appreciate having their efforts demeaned by a Hollywood actress.

In 1972, Jane Fonda made a trip to Hanoi and visited with the North Vietnamese. It was during this visit that Fonda made history by sitting on an anti-aircraft gun, smiling, and surrounded by her new North Vietnamese friends. By all accounts, the gun she was photographed on had been used to shoot down U.S. airmen. The photo was very controversial, as it flew in the face of the war effort and support for U.S. soldiers at the time. It seemed to many – both soldiers and the American public – that Fonda was siding with the enemy, earning her the nickname of “Hanoi Jane.”

To this day, veterans of that war and many in the public still think of her as a traitor and will never forgive or forget what she did.

Fast forward to the present time. Regarding Fonda’s penchant for speaking out against soldiers who were doing their jobs and supporting those who opposed the war, it appears that the United States and President Trump are experiencing something very similar to “Hanoi Jane’s” actions. Our own version of “Hanoi Janes” is right within our borders. There are people who are ALWAYS critical of the president, as their hatred overshadows any logic or perspective. It does not matter that what Trump is doing is in the best interest of the United States and the world, making the globe a safer place for all.

Many know that President Trump decided to take the fight to Iran based on intelligence (and Iran’s own boasting) that they were very close to developing nuclear weapons.

Iran currently holds approximately 440–461 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60%, enough to potentially produce around 10 nuclear weapons if further enriched to weapons-grade levels. A nuclear Iran – a country that is a hotbed of terrorism – would have been a real threat. “Death to America” has been a constant chant coming out of Iran for decades.

Many do understand the fact that geopolitical factors played into Trump’s decision with Iran, since he has always been against wars. And how soon people forget that since Trump became president, he has stopped or neutralized several conflicts around the globe (Israel and Iran, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Thailand and Cambodia, India and Pakistan, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Serbia and Kosovo).

Discussions were underway to award President Trump the Nobel Peace Prize for his negotiating abilities.

President Trump obviously had to make an exception with Iran. Unlike any of his predecessors, he finally said “no more” to the nuclear threat that Iran posed – he is firm in his belief that Iran must NEVER acquire a nuclear weapon. While the conflict has not been without sacrifice (sadly, 13 American soldiers lost their lives), as well as temporarily higher gas prices, Epic Fury (as the operation is called) has been an outstanding success.

The Iranian Navy has been destroyed. The Iranian regime’s security apparatus has been neutralized (including eliminating offensive missiles and missile production). Iran’s ballistic missiles and drones have been taken out. Aside from the navy, Iran’s air force has been decimated. All of this in less than three months, as Epic Fury began on February 28th of this year.

So, in less than three months, the conflict has seemingly tested the patience of many, including those who suffer from severe cases of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Just a sampling of quotes from prominent Democrats and some conservative commentators:
Democratic Congressman John Garamendi on CNN: “The bottom line is that this is a war that has been conducted with chaos. This is a war that has been extraordinarily expensive, depleting our key munitions and depriving the Indo-Pacific of the assets it needs … Bottom line is we’re stuck. America is stuck in another Middle East quagmire.”

Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton: ”Iran is gaining leverage over us as this war goes on. Iran is winning the war.”

Journalist Krystal Ball: “This war is a horror and a disaster and must be directly opposed.”

Senator Chris Van Hollen: (D-MD): “This is Trump’s war of choice. We are not winning. We are less safe, so we should just stop this war.”

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY): “I don’t think there’s any winning in a conflict that was ill conceived and impulsively started to begin.”

Candace Owens: “He promised no more forever wars, no more involvement in Middle East conflict. And we are now getting the exact opposite.”

Tucker Carlson: “Why are… we..jumping into another quagmire from which there is no obvious exit?”

Many Democrats in Washington, D.C. have called for Trump’s removal from office, and the word “impeachment” has been bantered about, as usual. Invoking the 25th Amendment (which should have been used to remove dementia-riddled Joe Biden from office) is also a Democrat’s rallying call, claiming Trump is mentally incompetent.

Now to tie this in with the traitorous actions of “Hanoi Jane…” As Secretary of War Pete Hegseth pointed out: “The biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless, feckless and defeatist words of congressional Democrats and some Republicans.” In addressing Garamendi on the “quagmire” description, Hegseth stated: “Calling two months in…the courage of a president to confront a nuclear Iran, and you call it a quagmire, handing propaganda to our enemies, shame on you for that statement!… Don’t say I support the troops on one hand, and then a two-month mission is a quagmire…Who are you cheering for here?! Who are you pulling for? Our troops are doing incredible work.”

Aside from the heated rhetoric, the United States has witnessed pro-Iranian protests – one example occurred in New York City on March 6th. Demonstrators opposed to the U.S./Israel air strikes on Iran actually honored slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei with a handmade memorial, which included a photo of the Supreme Leader surrounded by Iranian flags. Paying homage to the evil leader of a terrorist regime was actually done on American soil in New York. Let that sink in.

Of course, the protests were sponsored by the usual suspects – groups that want to transform the United States into a socialist utopia. Left-wing groups that hate America. Such groups (which provide the encouragement, signs, and probably a lot of funding) include, but are not limited to: American Muslims for Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, Code Pink, Black Alliance for Peace, Democratic Socialists of America, and the National Iranian American Council. (As a side note, actress and activist Jane Fonda, now 88 years old, popped up at an “anti-war” demonstration in Los Angeles).

The United States also witnessed not one, not two, not three, but four assassination attempts on President Trump’s life. Just decades ago, people would have had a modicum of respect – even if they did not like the president – and no one would wish the leader of the greatest country on the face of the earth to be killed. That is not the case anymore.

After each assassination attempt, a lot of people were gleefully united in their hatred for Trump, posting on social media how sad they were that the would-be murderers missed and did not achieve their goal. Close to home, the owner of Minocqua Brewing went on Facebook, saying he would be giving out free beer upon the President’s death.

Social media has turned many people into evil, hate-filled beings, lacking in any sense of virtue or a moral compass. The same horrid and disgusting responses were witnessed after Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Cheering for the killer. Mocking his widow. Dancing in the streets. Posting unbelievably nasty comments on how Kirk deserved to be killed. Abhorrent, yes? How low some in our society have sunk…

None of this bodes well for the country if we continue on this path. “Hanoi Jane” visited the enemy on their soil and complained to the North Vietnamese about the United States and its soldiers decades ago. Now we have actual American citizens on our own soil siding with foreign countries, saying Iran is winning, hoping the United States loses in its mission, simply because they despise President Trump. These are the same people who celebrate attempted assassinations of the President of the United States. These are the same people who make heroes out of those who have killed prominent people in society, like Charlie Kirk or United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, or any members of law enforcement. These are the people who want America to fail.

We joke about some people in our country being a “Karen.” Sadly, now we also have our own “Hanoi Janes.” And Hanoi Janes are much, much worse.

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Justice Rebecca Bradley Calls Courts’ Map Review Doing ‘Bidding of political masters’

(The Center Square) – A conservative Wisconsin Supreme Court justice called the courts’ decision to hear a case challenging the state’s congressional maps doing the “bidding of its political masters” rather than a proper decision.

The court sent an order stating that it would hear an appeal of a three-judge panel’s ruling not to hear the case but said that it would not hear the case on a requested expedited schedule.

“The Democratic Party bought multiple seats on this court to achieve yet another outcome unobtainable democratically,” Justice Rebecca Bradley wrote in dissent.

Bradley joined Justice Annette Ziegler in dissent against hear the case from the Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy that a three-judge panel dismissed on April 28.

“It is indeed rare that I feel compelled to object to hearing a case,” Ziegler wrote. “But here, I have concluded this is too important to stand silent. The public should be informed of the requests afoot and it should have the opportunity to stay abreast of these proceedings.

“And, of course, the briefing and arguments could cause me to conclude that this appeal was proper and relief should be granted. We shall see.”

The majority of judges took offense at Bradley’s insinuation that the decision to hear the case was politically motivated, calling the dissent “false, inappropriate, and disingenuous charges.”

“Deciding to hear a case does not reflect any weighing of the merits of any party’s claims, let alone prejudgment about who will prevail and why,” Justice Rebecca Dallet wrote. “We do not prejudge cases, and for that reason, we do not comment at this early stage on the parties’ legal theories, or try to develop arguments in favor of one side or another.”

Ziegler wrote that it was “shocking” the case would be reviewed without analysis of the jurisdiction of the case, if there is a proper claim or if there is even a right to appeal the ruling of a three-judge panel. She pointed to four other times that the Wisconsin Supreme Court had determined that the current congressional map would not be reviewed.

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(The Center Square) – Several Republican lawmakers are upset with the University of Wisconsin System’s proposal to increase tuition by 2% a year after a 5% increase.

Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, went as far as saying that a pair of trustees “lied to all our faces” in committee testimony when they said that tuition would not be raised again this soon.

“Unfortunately, students and their families are the ones who will be paying the price for this dishonesty,” Testin said in a statement. “At least we now know that we can no longer take the UW Board of Regents at their word.

“My Joint Finance Committee colleagues and I certainly will not forget this betrayal when the regents and UW officials come begging to us for more money during next year’s state budget deliberations. This is simply unacceptable.”

The 2% increase for resident undergraduate tuition would be effective this fall. The university said in a press release that the increase is below the current inflation rate. The increase also includes a 3.5% increase in segregated fees, which are for student services, activities, programs, and facilities. In all, it would be a 2.5% average increase across tuition, segregated fees and room and board.

“We recognize Wisconsin families are managing rising costs in every part of their lives, and that reality informed this proposal,” Universities of Wisconsin Interim President Renée Wachter said in a statement. “This is a measured increase that helps our universities continue providing strong student support and high-quality academic experiences while keeping a UW education among the most affordable in the Midwest.”

Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Gillett, pointed out that, over the past 10 years, the system has added 2,400 non-faculty staff positions while educating 16,000 fewer students.

Wimberger said that, if the system would “eliminate their administrative bloat,” it would free up $750 million.

“UW’s leadership is continuing to pass its payroll expenses onto students and their families, when it should be cutting its massive bureaucracy and reinvesting its funds to create a more valuable student experience,” Wimberger said in a statement. “No amount of money will ever be enough for satisfy these bureaucrats, and the bright students who attend our universities are only left with a worse education.”

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Republican Lawmakers Ask For Pause in Evers’ Commutation Plans

(The Center Square) – More than three-dozen Wisconsin lawmakers want Gov. Tony Evers to pause his plan to cut sentences short for some criminals in the state.

Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk, R-Hubertus, released the letter to the governor, saying crimes victims in the state need more time and more of a voice in the process.

“Many Wisconsinites are stunned that convicted cop killers are even being considered for commutation. Cases like Ted Oswald's murder of Waukesha Police Captain James Lutz are exactly why so many families believed Wisconsin's truth-in-sentencing laws finally brought certainty and finality for victims and their loved ones," the lawmakers wrote.

Evers announced in April he is ending a pause in commutations in Wisconsin, and he is reviewing thousands of requests.

“It’s time for Wisconsin to join red and blue states across our country and finally move our justice system into the 21st Century by reforming our criminal justice and corrections systems to improve public safety, reduce the likelihood that individuals will reoffend when they enter our communities, and save taxpayer dollars in the long run,” the governor said in a statement.

Piwowarczyk said the governor's announcement not only caught families off-guard, but has created a problem for what he called "overwhelmed" state and local prosecutors who are required to abide by Marcy's Law that has protections for crime victims and their families.

“Victims and their loved ones deserve certainty, transparency, and respect from our justice system,” Piwowarczyk said. “Instead, families are being blindsided by commutation applications through social media posts and news reports. That is unacceptable. Wisconsin’s commutation process must put victims first, not reopen emotional wounds without proper notification or meaningful input.”

Piwowarczyk and the other lawmakers asked in their letter for a pause in commutations to allow lawmakers to:

● Create a robust public notification system and online tracking list for commutation applications;

● Extend victim notification periods to at least 90 days;

● Guarantee hearings that allow victims and families to be heard directly;

● Require full notification to district attorneys and sentencing judges;

● Remove all homicide offenders from eligibility for commutation consideration.

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UW-Madison Denies Access to Payments, Contract With Economic Impact Consultant

(The Center Square) – The University of Wisconsin-Madison would not release any documents related to its contract or payments to consultant Tripp Umbach weeks after the university released a document that made claims regarding the university’s statewide economic impact.

The university claimed that it does not hold the contract and that it was denying access to what it called “draft documents” related to Tripp Umbach and payments to the firm.

“The university does not hold the contract, therefore there are no responsive records,” a public records custodian wrote to The Center Square in response to a public records request. “After a thorough search, the university has determined no record exists at the University of Wisconsin Madison related to your request.”

The Center Square also requested the documents from the University of Wisconsin system administration following the public records denial.

In April, the university released a 58-page document making claims that the university makes a $38.9 billion total economic impact on the state.

Universities across the country contract with Tripp Umbach for the firm to produce similar reports, which are then used in requests for public funding or donations to the college or university.

Tripp Umbach produces reports for health care and economic development organizations along with colleges and says on its website that “our work enables leaders to make informed decisions, secure support, and implement strategies that deliver measurable results.”

Economists regularly criticize economic impact reports produced by contractors such as Tripp Umbach for not following economic principles and only including revenue figures, along with invented multipliers, in order to produce larger numbers than the real economic figures.

Sports teams also use economic impact reports when they are seeking public funding for stadiums or large events in order to convince the public and politicians that those projects are worth large public funding figures.

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